Kansai
Best known for Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara, Kansai is the southern-central region of Japan that boasts of good food and warm people. Having been there multiple times, I can confirm this to be true. However, besides the food and drink, one thing I appreciate about Japan is that you can always find something new—but also something old.
First Capital
Before there was Tokyo, there was Kyoto, and before Kyoto, there was Nara. As the first permanent capital of the country, Nara is now known as the place full of shrines and sacred deer you can feed. A short train ride from Kyoto or Osaka, Nara’s major attractions are all within walking distance from the station. Here, you can visit some of the oldest temples and monuments in the country. The city was named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1998, and if you go at the right time, you can still partake in traditional festivals that span back centuries.
(And of course feed the deer)
Kansai Castles
There are many famous castles in Japan and many of them are in Kansai. From the modern museum of Osaka Castle to the carefully preserved Himeji Castle, you can learn and see what life was like for the upper echelons of Japanese nobility in the past. If you have the time and a tourist rail pass, visit as many of these as you can! They’re all within walking distance of rail stations, and each site has a unique story to be told.
On the Move 