The 10 Best Neighborhoods in Kinki, Japan

April 5, 2022 Toi Mattera

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

1. Tobita Shinchi

3-1-13 Sanno, Nishinari-ku, Osaka 557-0001 Osaka Prefecture
Excellent
78%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 9 reviews

Tobita Shinchi

2. Gion

Kyoto 605-0074 Kyoto Prefecture +81 75-531-2288 http://www.gion.or.jp/
Excellent
47%
Good
37%
Satisfactory
13%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 7,276 reviews

Gion

The most famous neighborhood in Kyoto is also known as the Geisha district. It is here, among the tea houses and private clubs, that you can catch a glimpse of a geisha in full dress including white makeup.

Reviewed By aejook - Seoul, South Korea

We stayed in a Ryokan in Gion n we could not be more satisfied. It is close enough to the center of the city n near Kiyomizdera, as well as many attractions such as ninenzaka, sannenzaka. Even with so many attractions near by, the streets were very quiet and clean. At night, it is very safe to walk around and I am so glad that I stayed here rather than near the busy streets or the station because Gion is close enough to bus stops, subway stops, n shopping areas.

3. Dotombori District

Chuo-ku, Dotombori, Chuo, Osaka 542-0076 Osaka Prefecture +81 6-6211-4542 http://www.dotonbori.or.jp/ja/
Excellent
44%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 12,478 reviews

Dotombori District

The heart of Osaka nightlife, this area is filled with theaters, restaurants, cafes, bars, arcades and nightclubs.

Reviewed By AR_Ismail90 - Bahrain, null

Dotonbori is the district to enjoy the real osakan delicacy , Shop and blend with locals to learn more about the culture .. the area filled with amazing restaurants, cafe’s & street food vendors ( vegetarian friendly, halal certified restaurants & Muslim friendly ones) so everyone can enjoy the local food without worries. Shopping in Dotonbori will drive you crazy .. you can enjoy shopping from well known international brands to 100 yen stores. It’s such fun and interesting place to visit .. I highly recommend it.

4. Arashiyama

Ukyo-ku, Kyoto 616-0007 Kyoto Prefecture
Excellent
53%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 6,621 reviews

Arashiyama

Arashiyama is a small town on the Oi River. Its moon-crossing bridge, Togetsu-kyo, is a beautiful, much-beloved wooden structure. Arishiyama also has Tenryu-ji temple, one of the 14 World Heritage Sites in Kyoto.

Reviewed By JungleKing2014 - Montreal, Canada

A great day trip from Yokohama.... great setting - lush mountain backdrops - from bamboo forest, to great little food stalls and really nice cherry blossom and bamboo soft ice cream on a warm day.

5. Shinbashi Dori

Gion, Higashiyama-Ku, Kyoto Kyoto Prefecture
Excellent
51%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 168 reviews

Shinbashi Dori

Reviewed By billkhoe

That’s what it’s been called in guidebooks and I agree. I spent time there during cherry blossom weeks and in autumn, the busiest and best time to go. I never get tired of it. Those who say so so, I challenge them to hear what’s more striking.

6. Minami (Namba)

Namba, Chuo, Osaka 542-0076 Osaka Prefecture
Excellent
41%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 2,031 reviews

Minami (Namba)

Reviewed By diesel5656 - Samut Prakan, Thailand

Minami Namba Shinsaibashi is an amazing place for shopping and dining. Shopping : Cheap price, a lot of goods, modern, no tax and etc. Dining : Awesome foods and prices. I really like this place.

7. Nipponbashi Denden Town

Namba Nihon-bashi, Ebisu, Nippombashi, Chuo, Osaka 542-0071 Osaka Prefecture http://www.denden-town.or.jp/
Excellent
28%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
23%
Poor
6%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 561 reviews

Nipponbashi Denden Town

Reviewed By 723stens - Brisbane, Australia

It's a must see for any otaku or anime lover. The prices of second hand figures here are much better than Tokyo. You can find good quality figures of current anime series for usually 600-1000yen cheaper than the same items in Tokyo. There's also a decent amount of retro game stores here and around Osaka which again, tend to be cheaper than the retro stores in Tokyo. Don't only stay on the main street, check the sides and surrounding streets for small shops and arcades. The arcades have really unique game machines that have been manually adjusted by the owners to make a whole new experience. I'm especially fond of the ping pong ball machine games, you use a claw machine mechanism to scoop up ping pong balls and attempt to drop one into the highlighted hole on half of a Takoyaki grill.

8. Pontocho District

Nakagyo-Ku BetweenKamogawa and Kiyamachi-dori, Kyoto Kyoto Prefecture +81 75-241-1636 http://www.ponto-chou.com/
Excellent
41%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 1,401 reviews

Pontocho District

Reviewed By emmacJ6282WU - Oxford, United Kingdom

I've walked Ponto-cho several times before but on this visit was the first time I did at properly at night and it was like a different world. Feels like the Japan of old and a place where you can really feel Kyoto. It is a narrow alleyway filled with bars and restaurants all with lanterns outside plus the occasional wind chime and lots of wooden shutters. It's a great place to stop for a meal or drink but equally it's great just to be there.

9. Kobe Harborland

1Chome Higashi Kawasakicho, Chuo-Ku, Kobe 650-0044 Hyogo Prefecture +81 78-360-3639 [email protected] http://www.harborland.co.jp/
Excellent
35%
Good
48%
Satisfactory
15%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 1,938 reviews

Kobe Harborland

Reviewed By Noepha

Taking a stroll along the harborland while enjoying the sea breeze with your friends is really wonderfull. You can also ride the ferris wheel or go to the port tower to have a view of Kobe city and the surrounding from above.(Note: if you are with children, there is Anpanman museum nearby which really suitable for children) If you are hungry or want to have a bite, there are many cafe and restaurant in Mosaic. All in all, you have to visit harborland when in Kobe. (You can reach harborland by JR Line from Kobe Sannomiya station and get off on Kobe station)

10. Kitano Ijinkan-gai

1 to 4 Chome, Chuo-Ku, Kobe 650-0002 Hyogo Prefecture
Excellent
29%
Good
49%
Satisfactory
19%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.0 based on 840 reviews

Kitano Ijinkan-gai

Reviewed By 852lenay - Singapore, null

Quaint, traditional colonial houses were great spots for photos. Boulevard that are well kept with floral and foliage that enhance the old world charm. Do check out Starbucks and it was really like stepping into someone’s bungalow complete with books, chandelier and picture frames that decorated the entire two-storey house! Enjoy! Be back ...

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