Why go to Kansai? The 10 good reasons to go Kansai
Marvel at the natural setting
Kansai is full of exceptional sites that are just waiting to amaze you.
A unique gastronomy
Unknown flavours and ingredients, taste buds travel off the beaten track.
A 5-star welcome
The art of service combined with a safe destination is the ideal equation for a good stay.
An overnight stay the Japanese way
Futon, tatami, kaiseki ryōri, onsen... : words that invite to travel and relaxation.
Feeling spirituality
Ise-jingū, Kōyasan... Marvel at some of the most sacred sites in the country.
In the footsteps of the pilgrims
Put on your shoes and set off to discover several mythical pilgrimage trails.
Slipping into an onsen
Kinosaki, Misasa or Arima, these destinations awaken the traveller's senses.
Give in to the shopping frenzy
Osaka is definitely THE shopping destination in Kansai. Beware of madness.
A legendary beef
Several wagyū, including the beef from Kōbe, are waiting for you in the different prefectures.
Engaging in traditional arts
Cutlery, pottery, washi, kumihimo, Japanese arts reveal pure elegance
Interview: My Kansai
With Julien Loock, author of the guide
In love with Japan, Julien is taking advantage of an opportunity to move to Tokyo in 2016. Although attached to the capital, he never hesitates to jump into a shinkansen towards Kansai. As a freelance journalist, he travels the country with his pen in hand. Searching record stores and sipping a local beer are his sins. In this guide, he shares with us his admiration for Kansai.
See the video of the interviewGood to know to visit Kansai
Timetable
Opening times vary widely, but most museums and parks will be open between 10am and 5pm. On Saturdays and Sundays, there are often long queues, especially for temporary exhibitions. Each institution has a different closing day. Temples and shrines open early (around 8 a.m.) and also close at 4 or 5 p.m., except during festivals.
Smokers
Smoking is banned in the vast majority of public places.
Tourist traps
In museums, small boutiques and workshops, do-it-yourself activities (origami, paper, wooden objects, etc.) are all the rage. While some offer a real opportunity to try your hand at Japanese crafts, others are sometimes far too expensive for what's on offer. You be the judge.
