Kansai関西

Old capitals, street food and sacred mountain trails.

Kansai holds Japan's old capitals. Kyoto has more than a thousand years of temples and gardens, and Nara has the Great Buddha and free-roaming deer. Osaka, next door, is the loud, friendly food city. Beyond them are Ise's great shrines, the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails and Kinosaki's hot-spring town. The three main cities are close together by train, so one well-placed base covers a lot.

Places to go

KyotoJapan's old capital of temples and gardens.OsakaJapan's kitchen: loud, friendly and always eating.NaraGreat Buddha, ancient temples, and deer everywhere.Ise local favoriteJapan's most sacred shrines in old forest.Kinosaki local favoriteA willow-lined hot-spring town made for yukata strolls.Kumano Kodo local favoritePilgrim trails through forest to mountain shrines.

Through the year

springKyoto, Osaka and Nara usually reach cherry blossom full bloom around April 4.

summerSummers are hot and humid, with Osaka averaging about 29°C in August.

autumnKyoto's leaves usually peak from mid-November to early December.

winterCool and mostly dry in the cities; it is crab and hot-spring season on the Kinosaki coast.

Don’t miss

KyotoTemples, gardens, shrines and old wooden streets.
OsakaStreet food, neon and friendly nightlife.
NaraThe Great Buddha and deer in a wide park.
IseJapan's most important Shinto shrines in deep forest.
Kumano KodoAncient pilgrim trails to mountain shrines.

What to eat

TakoyakiOsaka's octopus balls, hot off the griddle.
OkonomiyakiSavory cabbage pancake, Osaka style.
KushikatsuFried skewers; never double-dip in the shared sauce.
YudofuSimple simmered tofu, a Kyoto temple-town classic.
Kakinoha-zushiNara's pressed sushi wrapped in persimmon leaves.

Getting there

Tokyo → Kyoto: about 2h10 by Nozomi shinkansen. Tokyo → Shin-Osaka: about 2h25.

Good for: First-time visitors, Culture and history lovers, Food lovers

psst — Kyoto and Nara are best early. Start at popular temples when they open, then go somewhere quieter.