Kansai

Nara Park, where you can get up close and personal with deer, covers an expanse of 511 hectares. With its harmony of vast, green, and natural beauty, it has been described as an unparalleled historic park. The temple buildings highlighted against the trees, the lawns lush with green grass, the sight of herds of deer playing. These sights of “Daibutsu, green and deer,” which represent Nara Park, are also the face of the ancient capital of Nara.

Izushi, now within Toyooka City in Hyogo Prefecture, was a small castle town that once prospered as the center of the Tajima region (present-day northern part of Hyogo Prefecture) between ancient times and the middle ages. It boasts a historic ambience, featuring a number of landmarks, including the remains of Izushi Castle with beautiful stone walls, Japan's oldest clock tower and Soji-ji Temple that was established in the early 8th century. The town is also well known for its Sara Soba...

Mount Rokko extends from the western to the northern parts of the urban area of Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture. Commonly, Mount Rokko refers to the entire Rokko Mountain Range, which includes various sized mountains spanning not only Kobe but also the surrounding cities of Ashiya, Nishinomiya and Takarazuka. At the mountaintop, there are many relaxing sightseeing spots such as a pasture farm and an ancient temple with a wonderful view. The night view from Mount Maya is famous as one of the three best...

Located in the northern part of Hyogo Prefecture, Kinosaki Onsen is one of the leading hot spring resorts in the Kansai region with a history of 1,400 years. Visitors can dress in traditional yukata (cotton kimono) and hop around various spas while strolling around the picturesque town that extends along a river. Baths in Japanese-style inns are called uchiyu (inner baths), and public baths without accommodation are called sotoyu (outer baths). Kinosaki Onsen is famous for its seven sotoyu...

Kitano is located at the foot of Mount Rokko overlooking Kobe Port. When the port opened in 1868, the Kitano area became a foreign settlement and many Western-style houses were built. In the present day, these mansions are called ijinkan (residence of foreigners) and displayed to the public. The town is an exotic mélange of Western-style and Eastern-style buildings and also has friendship ties with Paris's Montmartre area. Just a 15-minute walk from Kobe's central Sannomiya area, Kitano...

Takeda Castle Ruins is famous for its sea of clouds. The morning mist that forms around the castle during bright blue mornings from fall to winter is a seasonal symbol. The Takeda Castle Ruins are located on a mountain peak, at an altitude of approximately 353m. The appearance of the castle surrounded by a sea of clouds makes it look as if it were a castle in the sky, and many people from around Japan visit to catch a glimpse of this dreamlike scenery. You just have to see this breathtaking...

Designed with a beautiful white space frame roof portraying a sailboat and waves across the open sea, KOBE MARITIME MUSEUM was founded in 1987, commemorating the 120th anniversary of the opening of the current Port of Kobe in 1868. The museum underwent renovations and reopened in 2020 with the slogan “The Journey of Kobe and Its Port.” The transition of Kobe City with the times and the history and future of the ocean, ships, and the port are told through various materials, models, videos, and...

The UNESCO World Cultural Heritage castle located in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, is also known as the White Heron Castle for its pristine white stature that stands out against the blue sky, resembling a white heron taking flight. Admire the dazzling castle tower and explore the many attractions including the various defenses against attack. In Koko-en garden founded on the grounds of the former West Residence, you can enjoy dining or tea while gazing at the majestic castle.

The Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group is a cluster of massive tumulus tombs that spread across three cities in Osaka Prefecture, namely Sakai, Fujiidera and Habikino. Having served as an important political and cultural center of Japan from the late 4th century to late 5th century, dozens of burial mounds for emperors and their families are densely concentrated in the area, making it among the largest tomb groups in the country. The Mozu-Furuichi Kofun Group was also given a place on the UNESCO World...

Osaka Castle Park is a vast park located in the center of Osaka, with various facilities including the Osaka Castle Main Tower, Nishinomaru Garden, plum grove and Osaka-Jo Hall. It is also known for its beautiful seasonal flowers such as plums, cherry blossoms and azaleas. The inside of the five-layer, eight-floor castle tower is a history museum, and you can experience wearing war helmets and see actual Warring States Period (late 15th century to mid-16th century) materials such as armors...

Katsuo-ji Temple has been worshipped as a temple of winner's luck since ancient times. Over its long history of 1,300 years, various conquerors of the period including generals of the Kamakura (1185-1336) and Muromachi (1336-1568) shogunates have paid visits to this temple. Even today, many people come to pray, wishing to triumph over any challenges in life such as curing illness, succeeding in business, passing exams, winning in sports and finding fulfillment in love. The temple premises are...

Designated as a national tangible cultural asset, the 108-meter-high Tsutenkaku observation tower is hailed as one of the symbolic landmarks of Osaka. Day or night, the Gold Observation Platform where the statue of Billiken, the Deity of Good Fortune resides, offers a pleasant view of the entire city. The current tower is the second generation, but has a beautiful ceiling painting, which is a reproduction of the original painting of the first tower, making it a popular photo spot.