Sightseeing in Kansai

Kobe, Osaka, Himeji, Kyoto and Nara

Kobe is known as a city having a unique style with exotic atmosphere, as it has been influenced by foreign cultures and has flourished as an international port for hundreds of years. It is one of the most popular sightseeing cities in Japan.

There are lots of tourist attractions to explore in Kobe, such as Ijinkan (former residences of early foreign settlers), sake breweries, shrines, temples and gardens. You can also enjoy the lovely views of Kobe on a daytime or nighttime cruise.

The nearby Rokko Mountains are richly endowed with nature as well as the relaxing hot springs and quaint streets of Arima. Visiting Arima, you can experience the atmosphere of old Japan.

The city of Kobe spreads east and west in a narrow stretch of land between the sea and the mountains. An array of famous sites offering different images of history, tradition and exoticism, with wide-open views, and refreshing mountain and hot spring resorts are all within easy reach of the city; in particular, the Motomachi and Sannomiya attraction areas are rich with various types of tourist attractions.

Osaka is the second largest city in Japan and has been a leader in industry, economics, culture and entertainment.

Visitors will find both historical and modern sights here. You may visit Osaka castle, Tennoji temple and Sumiyoshitaisha Grand Shrine to experience the traditions of Japanese culture. Alternatively, go to the Kita-ku area, where theaters and designer brand shops vie for customers alongside sleek high-rise hotels, office buildings, and department stores, to enjoy the modern life of Japan.

Osaka also has its own gourmet culture featuring a wide variety of dishes, from formal cuisine such as tea-ceremony dishes, Shabu-shabu and Osaka-sushi, to casual foods such as takoyaki, okonomiyaki, kushi-katsu and more.

The City of Kyoto, easily reached by direct train from Kobe or Osaka, was founded as "Heiankyo" in 794 A.D, and flourished as the capital of Japan for about 1,000 years.

Even after the transfer of the capital to Tokyo with the Meiji Restoration in 1868, Kyoto maintained its position as Japan's cultural capital. It is home to numerous national treasures, historical buildings and traditional arts and crafts. Kyoto is known as the "spiritual home of the Japanese" and it is often said that without knowing Kyoto, it is impossible to grasp the true essence of Japan.

Kyoto has a rich and colorful history, with a very unique blend of tradition, culture, and industry. It is a popular tourist destination not only for foreign visitors, but for Japanese holiday makers as well. Kyoto has traditional entertainment districts where you can still see real Geisha in their gorgeous kimono.

Nara flourished as Japan’s most important political and cultural center from the Asuka period in the 6th century, when Buddhism came to Japan, to the Nara period in the 8th century. Nara is dotted with wooden structures said to have been built with some of the finest skills in the world, such as Todaiji temple, famous for its large statue of Buddha, and Yakushiji temple. Blending tranquil beauty with bold architecture, Nara is the place to experience a variety of wooden Buddhist temples, many classified as world heritage sites.

Himeji Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is widely considered to be Japan's finest castle. Other attractions in Himeji, which is near Kobe, include the Engyo-ji Temple, where much of Tom Cruise's movie "The Last Samurai" was filmed, and Himeji Central Park, a safari park.

People also come to Himeji for its botanical gardens, aquarium, festivals and Mount Seppiko.

More information will be available on this website regarding optional tours to these cities, where you can view magnificent temples, elegant gardens and experience for yourself the heart of Japanese culture.

If you would like to learn more about travel to Japan, please visit the Links page for a list of reference websites on Japan, including Japanese culture, sightseeing, transportation, etc.