Articles about destinations in the Kansai region
The Kintetsu Rail Pass is a rail pass offering foreign tourists unlimited travel on trains (except limited express trains) by Kintetsu Railways. It covers travel to parts of Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Mie prefectures in the Kansai region, and to Nagoya in the Chubu region.
The JR West Kansai Wide Area Pass is a rail pass that allows foreign tourists unlimited travel in the Kansai region (and a few neighboring prefectures) for five consecutive days. It’s similar to the Kansai Area Pass, but offers a wider coverage area.
In Japanese folklore, the term “yokai” refers to a broad class of supernatural beings and phenomena like monsters, ghosts, demons, and spirits. The word comes from the kanji yo, meaning attractive or bewitching, and kai, which means mystery or wonder.
Kinosaki Onsen is a hot spring town in northern Hyogo Prefecture, near the coast of the Sea of Japan. It’s been a hot spring town since the 8th century and is considered one of the top onsen destinations in the Kansai region.
Hidden in the mountains of Wakayama Prefecture, Koyasan (Mount Koya) is one of Japan’s most sacred destinations. It’s the center of Shingon Buddhism, an important Buddhist sect introduced to Japan in the early 9th century by Kobo Daishi (aka Kukai).
Just two hours south of Osaka, getting to Mount Koya is a breeze thanks to Japan’s efficient rail network. The Koyasan World Heritage Ticket – a convenient travel pass that offers savings on transportation, meals, souvenirs, and temple admissions – makes the trip even more seamless and affordable.
Kintsugi refers to the centuries-old Japanese practice of repairing broken pottery using urushi lacquer dusted with powdered gold, silver, or platinum. Originating sometime between the 14th and 16th centuries, the term stems from the words kin, meaning “golden”, and tsugi, which translates to “joinery”.
Wabunka is an online platform that opens the door to a different side of Japan. It offers private luxury experiences, focusing mainly on Tokyo and Kyoto, with a few options in Osaka and other cities.
People visiting Kyoto for the first time should have more than enough to keep them busy. But if you’re staying long enough and want to go beyond the city’s limits, then you’ll find many interesting destinations you can visit on a day trip from Kyoto.
For some, Osaka doesn’t warrant as long a stay but its central location and many transportation options make it an ideal base to explore the Kansai region and beyond.