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Kansai: onsen, food and travel directory

Prefectures

Mie

Ise Jingu, pearls and fresh seafood make Mie a soulful slow trip.…

5 listings →

Shiga

Japan's largest lake, Biwa, is right next to Kyoto, with castles and temples along its sho…

2 listings →

Kyoto

Japan's old capital: temples, gardens, geisha districts and quiet back lanes.…

18 listings →

Osaka

Japan's kitchen: loud, friendly and all about eating until you drop. Locals still call it …

17 listings →

Hyogo

Himeji Castle, Kobe's harbour and the onsen of Arima and Kinosaki.…

12 listings →

Nara

Bowing deer, a giant bronze Buddha and Japan's oldest temples.…

4 listings →

Wakayama

Sacred mountains and seaside onsen: Koyasan, the Kumano Kodo and Shirahama.…

7 listings →

Listings in Kansai

551 Horai pork buns

OsakaMeibutsu

Steamed pork buns (butaman) sold at Osaka stations; a take-home classic.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Adventure World

WakayamaFamily-friendly and theme parks

Shirahama zoo and safari park.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Akafuku

MieOmiyage

Ise confectioner dating to 1707, known for its red-bean mochi.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Akafuku mochi

MieMeibutsu

Red-bean mochi sold near Ise Jingu since 1707; the classic Mie meibutsu.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Arashiyama (Kyoto autumn leaves)

KyotoFestivals and seasons

Classic autumn-leaf and spring-blossom district in western Kyoto.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Arima Onsen

HyogoOnsen towns

One of Japan's oldest hot springs, near Kobe, with 'gold' and 'silver' waters.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Arima Onsen Kin no Yu / Gin no Yu

HyogoDay-trip onsen near Tokyo, Osaka and KyotoNear Osaka

Public bathhouses in Arima Onsen, an easy day trip from Osaka or Kobe.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Byodo-in

KyotoTemples, shrines and castles

Uji temple pictured on the 10-yen coin.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Camellia Tea Ceremony

KyotoExperiences and tours

Tea ceremony experiences in Kyoto.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Fushimi Inari Taisha

KyotoTemples, shrines and castles

Head shrine of Inari, with thousands of vermilion torii gates up the mountain.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum

KyotoSake breweries and local craft

Fushimi sake museum by a brewer founded in 1637, with tastings.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Gion Matsuri

KyotoFestivals and seasons

Kyoto's July festival of Yasaka Shrine, famous for its towering yamaboko floats.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Hakutsuru Sake Brewing

HyogoSake breweries and local craft

Kobe Nada sake brewery founded in 1743.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Hiiragiya

KyotoRyokan with private baths

Kyoto ryokan in business since the 19th century.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Hikone Castle

ShigaTemples, shrines and castles

National Treasure castle on Lake Biwa.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Himeji Castle

HyogoTemples, shrines and castles

UNESCO World Heritage castle, the finest surviving original castle in Japan.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Ise Jingu

MieTemples, shrines and castles

Japan's most sacred Shinto shrine complex.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

K's House Hostels

KyotoBudget stays and capsule hotels

Backpacker hostel chain in Kyoto, Tokyo, Hakone and more.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Kani Doraku

OsakaFood

Crab restaurant famous for its giant moving crab sign in Dotonbori.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Kasuga Taisha

NaraTemples, shrines and castles

Nara shrine famous for thousands of stone and bronze lanterns.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Kiku-Masamune Sake Brewery Museum

HyogoSake breweries and local craft

Nada brewery museum showing traditional sake-making tools.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Kinkaku-ji (Rokuon-ji)

KyotoTemples, shrines and castles

The Golden Pavilion temple.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Kinosaki Onsen

HyogoOnsen towns

Hyogo canal town where visitors stroll in yukata between seven public bathhouses.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Kiyomizu-dera

KyotoTemples, shrines and castles

Kyoto temple with a famous wooden stage over the hillside.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Kobe Animal Kingdom

HyogoFamily-friendly and theme parks

Indoor-outdoor animal park in Kobe.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Kobe beef

HyogoMeibutsu

Tajima-strain wagyu raised in Hyogo; one of Japan's most famous beef brands.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Koyasan (Kongobu-ji)

WakayamaTemples, shrines and castles

Head temple of Shingon Buddhism on Mt. Koya; temple stays nearby.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Kumano Nachi Taisha

WakayamaTemples, shrines and castles

Kumano shrine beside Nachi Falls.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Kura Sushi

OsakaRamen, sushi and izakaya

Conveyor-belt sushi chain with prize-game plate returns, fun for families.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Kurama Onsen

KyotoDay-trip onsen near Tokyo, Osaka and KyotoNear Kyoto

Open-air bath in the mountains north of Kyoto, pairs with a Kurama-Kibune hike.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Nada sake (Hakutsuru)

HyogoMeibutsu

Hakutsuru and neighbouring breweries along the Nada coast built Kansai's sake fame.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Nagashima Spa Land

MieFamily-friendly and theme parks

Amusement park and onsen complex near Nagoya.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Nara Deer Preservation Foundation

NaraFamily-friendly and theme parks

Caretakers of the free-roaming deer in Nara Park.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Nipponbashi (Den Den Town)

OsakaAnime and pop culture

Osaka's anime and electronics shopping district.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Nishiki Market

KyotoRamen, sushi and izakaya

Kyoto's narrow food market street, known as 'Kyoto's kitchen'.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Nishimuraya Honkan

HyogoRyokan with private bathsKinosaki

Historic ryokan in Kinosaki Onsen.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

OsakaFamily-friendly and theme parks

One of the world's largest aquariums.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Osaka Castle

OsakaTemples, shrines and castles

Rebuilt keep and museum in a large castle park, a sakura favourite.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Osaka okonomiyaki

OsakaMeibutsu

Savoury cabbage pancake cooked on a teppan; Osaka-style is the classic.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Osaka takoyaki

OsakaMeibutsu

Octopus-filled batter balls — the street-food symbol of Japan's kitchen.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Osamu Tezuka Manga Museum

HyogoAnime and pop culture

Takarazuka museum for the 'god of manga'.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Otafuku okonomiyaki sauce

OsakaMeibutsu

The bottled sauce that flavours okonomiyaki across Japan, founded in Osaka.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Shogoin Yatsuhashi

KyotoOmiyage

Kyoto maker of yatsuhashi cinnamon sweets.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Shukubo on Koyasan

WakayamaBudget stays and capsule hotels

Temple lodgings with Buddhist vegetarian meals and morning prayers.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Solaniwa Onsen Osaka Bay Tower

OsakaDay-trip onsen near Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto

Garden-style onsen theme park in Osaka.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Spa World

OsakaDay-trip onsen near Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto

Large themed hot-spring complex in Osaka's Shinsekai.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Super Hotel

OsakaBudget stays and capsule hotels

Budget hotel chain, many with natural hot-spring baths.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Sushiro

OsakaRamen, sushi and izakaya

Popular conveyor-belt sushi chain with English ordering screens.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Todai-ji

NaraTemples, shrines and castles

Nara temple housing the Great Buddha in a giant wooden hall.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Torikizoku

OsakaRamen, sushi and izakaya

Budget yakitori izakaya chain with one flat price for most items.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Uji matcha

KyotoMeibutsu

Historic tea country south of Kyoto; matcha sweets and thick tea are the speciality.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Universal Studios Japan

OsakaFamily-friendly and theme parks

Osaka theme park with Super Nintendo World.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

WAK Japan

KyotoExperiences and tours

Kyoto cultural experiences such as tea ceremony and kimono.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Wakayama umeboshi and mikan

WakayamaMeibutsu

Pickled plums from Minabe/Tanabe and sweet mikan oranges are Wakayama staples.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Yamazaki Distillery (Suntory)

OsakaSake breweries and local craft

Japan's first malt whisky distillery, with booked tours.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

Yatsuhashi

KyotoMeibutsu

Cinnamon-scented raw or baked rice sweets; Kyoto's best-known confection.

Source: Official website · Verified 2026-10-15

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