City: Kinki
Top Things to do in Kinki
Top Hotels in Kinki
- 1. The Bridge Hotel Shinsaibashi
- 2. Hotel Universal Port
- 3. Hotel Universal Port Vita
- 4. Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shinmachi Bettei
- 5. Hotel Nikko Osaka
- 6. Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel
- 7. Temple Town Hotel WAQOO Horyuji
- 8. Hotel Granvia Osaka
- 9. The Park Front Hotel at Universal Studios Japan
- 10. RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka
Countries
The 10 Best Things to Do in Kinki, Japan
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. Dotonbori
Overall Ratings
4 based on 10 reviews
The heart of Osaka nightlife, this area is filled with Theaters, restaurants, cafes, bars, arcades and nightclubs.
Reviewed By Sam S - Palm Beach, Florida
The street for foodies! I started my adventures at Tsuki no Odori a restaurant renown for its Yakitori (Japanes chicken food) had a few delicious skewers (1300yen) there before making my way down the street. I basically looked for queues and hoped for the best. My next stop was the famous "Osaka octopus balls" (6 for 400y) looked really great but I wasn't a fan. I moved on to the grilled crab legs that I was craving for (2 for 900y) but I found it over rated and not the easiest to eat standing up with chopstick...lol glad i had wome wetnaps with me. In one of the side street I saw some gyoza that looked really enticing, its one of those small shops where you order in the front on a vending machine and get you're order inside, (7 for 400y), they were small but very good, the staff at the shop was also super nice and accommodating. After that I was pretty full so I went to get the "second best ice cream in the world" their words not mine (400y) from a food truck, its was truly delicious, ice cream in a warm bun, definitely worth it! Next to the food truck was a chestnut roaster, I got a small bag to take back with me to the hotel not cheap! (1080y) for a small bag, around 250g, but I love them and they reminded me of my childhood! I enjoyed my visit to dotombori for the food but its more than that of course, every street has its personality and identity, a great place for people watching and to linger for hours.
2. Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 19 reviews
This shrine is one of many located throughout Japan that was built to honor Inari, the Shinto god of rice.
Reviewed By BringBackBuck8 - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
I visited here, arriving around midday. Perhaps that was my mistake, as it was rammed with people. I’m sure the orange shrine gated walkways would be breathtaking, but it’s not when you’re shuffling along like an arthritic centipede and coming to a standstill every 20 seconds for a Japanese lady to take a selfie.
My advice would be to come very early or very late, avoid the crowds.
3. Koyasan Okunoin
Overall Ratings
5 based on 953 reviews
Reviewed By theBigBucketList - Toronto, Canada
...it's also a casually manicured forest of near ancient cedar, cypress, red pine, hemlock fir and umbrella pine replete with much of what visitors associate with Japan and so much more; devotees conducting religious observances, monks in saffron, black and white, moss covered everything, lantern lined stone paths, statuary both whimsical and austere, torii, temples, gentle streams... and quietude (not a complete list). Each visit will end with your arrival at Toro-do, at dawn, you can take in morning prayers, and at dusk, enjoy the stillness under hanging lamps while facing Kobo Daishi's Mausoleum. There isn't really all that much to do here, just observe, absorb, process, reflect, and be.
4. Nara Visitor Center & Inn
Overall Ratings
5 based on 228 reviews
Nara Visitor Center & Inn is located in the midst of Nara. Right on the edge of Sarusawa Pond, the location offers wonderful views of the changing seasons. Nara Visitor Center & Inn provides tourists visiting Nara a great place to relax and interact along with the opportunity to discover and experience the city’s cultural and sightseeing riches.
Reviewed By SydneyGlobetrotter09 - Sydney, Australia
Great location, 10-min walk from the Kintetsu station and easy walk to Nara Park and historic areas for shopping. Large room by Japanese standards (only downside is brick pillows and some carpet stains/dated fittings). Clean and quiet. Extremely friendly staff, very helpful and informative in English. Convenience store located on ground level of same building and several cultural activities on offer. Highly recommend.
5. Shoshazan Engyoji
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 331 reviews
Reviewed By Creeping_Death_LA - Los Angeles, California
Once you arrive by the rope tram you will realize why Hollywood chose such a magnificent place to film the movie. If it's not crowded you will feel the tranquility of stepping back in time in this peaceful area. There is a lot to see so spend plenty of hours here exploring and hiking the trails from temple to temple.
6. H.I.S. Tourist Information Center Harajuku
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 279 reviews
Harajuku is the capital for youth fashion and culture. A walk along the iconic street, Takeshita will allow you to experience an extreme Kawaii-ness with many fashion boutiques, cafes and crepe stands. Not far away is Omotesando, which offer more mature fashion stores. Don't worry if you are not an fashionholic, the famous Yoyogi park and Meiji Jingu shrine are only few minutes walk from the station. If you got lost or did not know what to do in Harajuku, please do not hesitate to stop by our Harajuku Tourist Information Center. Our staffs will be happy to answer all your questions. In addition, we also provide currency exchange, baggage storage, data sims card and tours to popular destination in Japan (beside, there is free WiFi in-store).
Reviewed By tee_wcha - Sydney, Australia
The staff are very friendly and speak English. They are also very helpful with whatever questions you may have about travelling in Tokyo. We booked the hedgehog & owl cafe package through them and it's actually cheaper to book it through here than you paying at the cafes.
7. Nezu Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 695 reviews
Please check open/close schedule in its official site.
Reviewed By Tzipster - Laguna Woods, California
This is a very pretty Museum with different levels of exhibits very nicely done. The Gardens are also beautiful. There’s a gift shop with some really nice items.
8. Adventure World
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By HaljoHal - San Francisco, California, USA
This attraction costing approximately 4000 yen per day is worth the price of admission. The Penguin exhibition is the largest I have ever seen and the safari includes getting up close to giraffes hippos, lions, tigers and bears and if you want to pay extra you can even drive your own safari vehicle.
The water show with seals and otters was funny and entertaining and then there's the rides too. Most fascinating is their panda exhibition which if you haven't seen pandas up close, they are fun to watch. And finally, congrats on your new baby panda born just a few weeks ago.
We spent 4 hours @ Adventure World in the rain (most walking paths are covered for rain or sun protection) and even at the entertainment fee of approximately $10US an hour, per person, it was worth it.
9. Miho Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 246 reviews
Reviewed By travellerfromatown - Allentown, Pennsylvania
Whether this museum is worth the drive is going to be a personal choice. The building and entry are stunning, by I.m. Pei. The collection is small but very impressive. You could see the entire museum in two hours. We did not have a choice on whether to go, as we were on a tour. But, although I appreciated the museum, I would not have chosen to spend the time traveling here. We took the golf carts up to the museum since it is a long walk, but we enjoyed the walk downhill through the tunnel on the way back. The gift stores were disappointing to us.
10. Ryogoku Kokugikan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 720 reviews
Reviewed By SmilesUK - London
This was the highlight of my trip to Tokyo. I would highly recommend anyone going to Japan to see a sumo match as it’s a total authentic Japanese experience and super to watch. Read up on the rules beforehand so you know a bit more about what’s going on but really super. You can book tickets online before your trip.
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