Attractions - All Kansai
The winter months are generally clear and crisp in Kansai, with temperatures averaging around 5-10c by day in Osaka. Snowfalls do occur but are infrequent - it you are lucky enough to be in Kyoto at this time, prepare for picture postcard views of snow clad temples and gardens - breathtaking! Tourist numbers are generally down in winter making it a good time to explore. The first week of New Year is an exception with hundreds of thousands turning out to make shrine visits, the traditional Japanese start to the year. The setsubon events in early February are also colorful occasions well worth experiencing.
Kyoto's Eastern Temples
Visitors with limited time in Kyoto would be well advised to head for the Higashiyama (lit. eastern mountains) district. An historic area east of the Kamo River.More
Kinkakuji and Ryoanji
Kinkakujiis the most famous and popular tourist site in Kyoto and always crowded, but gilded temple building is worth seeing. More
Shinsekai downtown
Shinsekai (新世界） is an entertainment and eat-and-drink district where many restaurants and pubs offer Osaka specialty kushikatsu at a reasonable price.More
Himeji Castle
Himeji Castle is one of the most important cultural assets in Japan. It looks strong as a fortress but also has beautiful plaster wall which gives the castle the name of elegant bird, white heron.More
Kyoto 1 day bus trip
If you are looking for transportation in the city of Kyoto, there are many options at your disposal. The convenient solution that we propose is the City Bus All-Day Pass. More
Nara
Major tourist sites including Todaiji temple and Kasuga shrine can be covered in a day trip. They are located in or around Nara Park, a short 15 minute walk from the city centre and Nara Kintetsu station. More
Nada Sake Brewery
Nada district of Kobe has about 40 breweries and produce nearly 30 percent of Japanese sake production. We suggest visiting two major breweries to know and taste sake.More
Kyoto Imperial Palace and Nijojo
The Kyoto Imperial Palace and nearby Nijo-Jo Castle are well worth a visit. While the Palace is an elegant complex, Nijo-Jo is an imposing construction, reflecting the lifestyle of powerful shogun Tokugawa. More
Osaka half day
Osaka is the largest city in Western Japan with the population over eight million, but it doesn't attract as many tourists as Kyoto does. There is still something for tourists to see, Osaka-jo castle and Dotonbori entertainment district. More
Festivals & Events
Plum Blossom Viewing
Plum blossom is the sign that winter is about to end. Plum trees planted in a park and a shrine in Japan bloom during February and March, and people enjoy viewing flowers and its fragrance.More
Omizutori
Omizutori, Water Drawing Festival, is the annual festival held by Todaiji temple in Nara city. It dates back to AD752 and never stopped down to this year. The ceremony is the confession by the eleven priests to the kannon statue at the hall of Nigatsu-do in the temple.More
Sumo in Osaka
Each spring Osaka plays host to one of six annual Grand Sumo Tournaments. This year (2010) the competition runs from March 14 to 28, and bouts are held daily.More
Cherry blossom night view in Kyoto
Each year selected temples and shrines in Kyoto extend their opening hours to allow 'night viewing' of their blossoming cherry trees. More
Cherry blossom viewing (Hanami)
Late March and early April herald the start of spring and, with it, the annual cherry blossom craze. People gather to enjoy 'Hanami' (blossom viewing) parties under the boughs. More
Miyako Odori 2010
Each spring the geisha community of Gion in Kyoto puts on a spectacular dance known as the Miyako Odori. Shows are held several times a day throughout April at the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo.More