Japan open to tourists: things to see in Kansai
If you are planning your first trip to Japan, you definitely cannot miss the mythical Kansai region. If you don't [...]
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If you are planning your first trip to Japan., you definitely cannot miss the mythical region of Kansai. If you don't know anything about this area of the country, don't worry, in this article you will discover interesting facts and things to see. Now that the doors of the Land of the Rising Sun will finally open again. to welcome tourists, it's time to start making plans for the next trip.
Some information about Kansai
Not only castles, gardens or temples: discovering Kansai, even if you only have a few days to visit, will really leave you speechless! It is undoubtedly one of the most popular "destinations" for tourists, especially in 2019, the region has had a real boom in visitors.
For those visiting Japan for the first time, it is necessary for them to include it as a region to visit in their itinerary to get a broader view of the country. In fact, three very touristy and lively destinations can be found in Kansai, such as Osaka: a city that never sleeps, always active and never monotonous, perfect for those in need of leisure and entertainment.
It also includes Kyoto, in which many travelers certainly leave their hearts, as we did: its beauty is almost indescribable. Then there is Nara, how not to mention it, it is the quintessential city that takes us back to childhood, one of the two ancient capitals along with Kyoto.
Nara is representative and iconic of Japan, able to evoke the most traditional imagery with its nature, animals, priceless beauty. Let's not get lost in small talk and go find out what to see in Kansai and especially how to organize if it is your first trip to Japan.
What to see in Kansai? Unmissable wonders
Travel arrangements might give some problems especially if it is the first time. Ideally, we should calculate well how many actual days are available for the visit. For example, if we choose to include in our trip a good knowledge of Tokyo's neighborhoods, in two weeks we will then not have much time to devote to the other cities.
But even so, we will still have the opportunity to be able to visit the beautiful Kansai region. Ideally, therefore, we should activate the Japan Rail Pass for one week. Costs are around 230.00 euros per week. But you can spend even less if you activate it only for the region you are going to visit.
If your trip involves a flight Italy - Tokyo Narita, then ideally you will experience the first week of your trip in Tokyo and then move to Kansai and then back to Tokyo.
This will decrease costs and also decrease performance anxiety while traveling, just because you will be going back to the arrival airport to catch the return flight. Many of the users who write to us actually have some fear, due to the fact that they have never been to Japan. There is no need to worry: By organizing everything in detail and leaving a little to chance when you are more relaxed among the city streets, the success of the trip is assured!
So, back to us. By activating the Japan Rail Pass in Tokyo (just go to one of the designated offices to do so) you will be able to book the train to Kyoto.
We recommend as base for the following week just Kyoto. The city would deserve many days of stay, however, it is feasible to visit it even in a few days, considering that to see it in every detail would not be enough a lifetime. In Kyoto, it will be easy to stay in a beautiful hotel affordable and also try some important and interesting experiences, such as sleeping in a ryokan.
Kyoto: pervasive beauty that remains in the hearts of those who visit it
This headline is not a haiku (typical Japanese poetic composition), but it is the truth. Visiting Kyoto as the first city in the Kansai region, one cannot help but be overwhelmed. Once you arrive at the station, you will have the feeling that you are in the presence of an extraordinary reality with a history of thousands of years.
So the idea is to choose a central hotel and let your instincts guide you. There are definitely must-see destinations, and to see them at their best, our advice is to devote at least 4 days.
Among the must-sees in Kyoto:
- Fushimi Inari Taisha
- Kiyomizudera
- Crossing paths: Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka
- Arashiyama and the bamboo forest (beautiful even in autumn)
- Ginkakuji Temple with its silver pavilion
- Gion (we also recommend taking a tour in the evening if possible)
- Nishiki Market.
Osaka: vibrancy, strong colors and fun
Osaka is a very fun and young city, always cheerful and active. Its liveliness is infectious, never losing its beauty, but visiting it at night with its illuminated signs is perhaps the right thing to do.
From Kyoto with the Japan Rail Pass, just reserve a seat the day before and you will have the opportunity to experience a quick and easy trip, about half an hour by train. Our advice is to wake up early in the morning and have a small breakfast, this is because Osaka has many anime, manga and cartoon character themed cafes that are really worth trying.
Our favorite is undoubtedly the café of the very cute character Gudetama, inside you can enjoy excellent pancakes reminiscent of perhaps Japan's most famous egg.
Unmissable things to see in Osaka?
If you don't have much time, Osaka can be visited by walking at a leisurely pace in a day! Of course, ideally you should spend at least 3 days there, but we think that even in a full day, you can still have unique experiences.
Don't miss the gyoza and okonomiyaki: the former are the delicate dumplings with a unique and unrepeatable taste; while the latter dish is known as the Osaka pizza, truly tempting in its myriad variations. Unmissable destinations are:
- The Castle with its wonderful gold decorations
- The Shinsekai district with the Tsutenkaku Tower
- Minani and Dotonbori district, the perfect place for street food
- Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
- Shitennoji Temple
- For fans: Universal Studios Japan.
Nara: indescribable splendor among nature and beauty
One of the oldest cities in the country, as we mentioned it was the capital, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A concentration of beauty and culture expressed through respect for nature and architecture. Any season is perfect for sightseeing. Thanks to the Japan Rail Pass, from Kyoto you only need to take the train and travel about 40 km (JR Nara line).
Things to see in Nara:
- Nara Park and Kasuga Taisha Shrine, photo op with the resourceful and always hungry deer
- Todai-Ji Temple - houses the Daibutsu Buddha a full 15 meters tall
- Isuien Garden.
In Nara one can get lost and then find oneself, in one day it is possible to grasp every nuance, with the desire to return on a second trip.
In conclusion
We hope that this brief guide among the curiosities and major cities and attractions to see in Kansai will be useful for you in planning your next trip to Japan.
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