The Kansai region (関西地方, Kansai-chihō) or the Kinki region (近畿地方, Kinki-chihō) lies in the southern-central region of Japan's main island Honshū. The region includes the prefectures of Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyōgo and Shiga, sometimes Fukui, Tokushima and Tottori. While the use of the terms "Kansai" and "Kinki" have changed over history, in most modern contexts the use of the two terms is interchangeable. The urban region of Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto (Keihanshin region) is the second-most populated in Japan after the Greater Tokyo Area.
Restaurants in Kinki
5.0 based on 1,261 reviews
A place to let your soul re-awaken. Having last stayed in a monastery here 19 years ago, before it was added to the World Heritage list, I was apprehensive about returning, having heard of busloads of noisy tourists overunning everything, but it defies defilement; one of the world's truly sacred spaces. Early morning and dusk are the best time to visit, early there are monks chanting, at dusk as the shadows fall the 200,000 tombs of the cedar forest begin to stir quietly.
4.0 based on 183 reviews
Buddha statues made from human ashes as a means of being able to worship the deceased openly
My wife and I were not planning to visit this in our walking tour of Osaka (on our own). However, we’ve learned that when you are in Japan, you might discover a temple that you weren’t planning to see. This one was hard to miss on our way to Tsetenkaku Tower. It’s a large complex but we were both drawn to these sculptures. Founded in the 12th century, the Isshinji Temple has a lot of history, though rebuilt following the destruction of Osaka during the closing years of World War II, like most other temples and shrines in the city. The temple surprised us because it was quite modern and built with iron, concrete and steel. It didn’t look like any of the temples we had visited previously. The bronze looking gate is ornate with female figures. The gate and other structures were designed by the current head priest who is also an architect. The temple was founded in 1185. With the modern architecture today, we wondered why there were so many visitors. They apparently do not come for the unusual architecture. Instead, they come because it is home to the remains of millions of Osaka residents' ancestors, specifically something called Okutsu Butsu, which translates as "Bone Buddha". Now that we have found it, you should visit!
4.0 based on 311 reviews
Two hours by car from Osaka into pretty mountainous scenery is this tomb consisting of 30 huge stones reminiscent of megalithic sites in Europe. Located within a park (free parking but 300 yen to visit tomb) the tomb is built on a small man made hill outside of which is a moat. More exciting was to be able to walk down the passage and into the tall tomb itself. Pleasant restaurant and cafes nearby.
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