Recommended Itineraries
in Kansai

Japan’s Kansai region has a rich food heritage. Miketsukuni, a term dating back to 1,400 years ago, encompasses a number of regions that historically supplied the imperial court with top-quality produce. Awaji, Wakasa and Shima, have preserved their culinary heritage as suppliers of food to the imperial court in Nara and Kyoto. Start your trip on Awaji Island and savor exquisite dishes featuring the freshest local catches before heading to the Wakasa Obama Food Culture Museum to learn local recipes from the experts. Trying your hand at a cooking class in Japan unveils the essence of its unique food culture. 30 minutes away by car, Kumagawa-juku is one of the best villages in Japan to try mackerel sushi, while three and half hours by car from the town, you’ll encounter the region’s legendary ama divers on a diver’s hut experience in Shima. Finish your trip with a culinary experience at a restaurant in Kyoto, where you'll taste the flavors of Imperial cuisine from the Heian era (794-1185).

On this tour of Kansai, you’ll discover the traditions that define the region and experience them in a sustainable way that preserves the traditional culture and supports the communities you visit. Start your itinerary in Nachi-Katsuura and explore the largest longline-caught tuna fish market in Japan. From there, a four-hour car journey will take you to Nara Prefecture to explore its renowned temples on a captivating pilgrimage trail through four diverse spiritual monuments in the area. Some of the best hands-on activities in Japan revolve around making food, and that’s what you’ll find in Kinomoto, Shiga Prefecture, the next stop on your tour. Another four and half hours by car will take you to the mountain-top temple, Mitokusan Sanbutsuji, in Tottori Prefecture. Staying in an onsen town after visiting a number of Japanese temples is a purifying experience that will leave you feeling revitalized. Finally, end your tour in the Iya Valley and enjoy local delicacies from the region.

The complex and beautiful coastal landscape formed by the separation from the continent in ancient times. The unique culture that have been developed due to the continental exchange. The delicacies of the sea that can only be seen around the coastal fishing base.

Himeji Castle has been developed as a transportation hub with a road map to Kyoto, a sea route, and a port. The warring states and samurai culture that still remain in the area around Himeji Castle. The medieval warring states culture started with tara iron manufacturing in ancient times and flourished before Azuchi period.

The abundant water resources have formed a water town and created a unique local culture and landscape. The mountains have also become an object of worship and a base for Shugen (mountain asceticism). The water used to produce sake and nurtured a culture of fermented food. Omi is the "Land of Castles" with more than 1300 castle ruins.

Kii is one of Japan's largest power spot peninsulas. In this vast area, there is a powerful and mysterious source of power called "Oku".

The place of origin of Japan since mythical times. Ise Jingu, the pinnacle of Japanese Shintoism, Sumo, Sake, Shugendo, giant ancient tombs, etc. This is the path where you can feel the origin of today's politics and culture. Experience the "ancient Japan".

The area has a unique panoramic ocean feel with its inland sea islands, opposite shores of the city center, and steep straits. A place where the sun rises and sets on the sea. This is the landscape of the sea where the myth of the birth of the nation was born and gave birth to the unique worldview of the Japanese people. Enjoy the luxury of gazing at the sea.

Satoyama, the original landscape of Japan. Among them, the Tamba area is a remarkable place where unique crops and harvests remain alive even today.
Tamba-Sasayama was a major transportation hub. The city developed as a center of exchange. The castle town, nature, and the hometown of pottery offer a glimpse of what Japan was like 400 years ago.

Samurai, ninja, bushido. This is an field where many remains and cultures related to the Warring States period remain. The area has a long history of exchange with the capital, and many traditional crafts have been handed down from generation to generation.