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Hyogo Prefecture, the largest in the Kansai region, is the only prefecture on Honshu that borders two seas: the Sea of Japan and the Seto Inland Sea. Just looking at the Seto Inland Sea side, which is easily accessible from Osaka, there are many tourist spots, including Kobe City, Himeji, home to Himeji Castle, a World Heritage Site, Akashi, home to the Japan Standard Time Meridian, and Awaji Island, rich in nature and ingredients.
In particular, Kobe, sandwiched between the sea and the Rokko Mountains, can be said to be the most beautiful city in the Kansai region. Kobe Port opened as a trading port in the 19th century, and as a result, the city of Kobe has become a unique city that has flexibly adopted Western culture.
Kobe offers a wide variety of sightseeing options. A stroll through the city promises a whole new discovery. The Kitano Ijinkan District, located north of Sannomiya, offers a taste of Kobe's exotic atmosphere. Outdoor activities are also plentiful. Hiking the Rokko Mountains is a popular holiday activity for people living in the Hanshin area, from beginners to veterans. Nunobiki Falls is a beautiful waterfall selected as one of Japan's 100 best waterfalls. Climbing Mount Rokko and then soaking up the heat in Arima Onsen is a classic course for local mountain climbers. With a history spanning over 100 years, Arima Onsen is beloved by aristocrats and royalty and is said to be Japan's oldest hot spring. If you're feeling hungry, try some delicious Kobe beef.

Kyoto, located just under an hour from Osaka, is one of the must-see destinations for anyone visiting the Kansai region. Kyoto has been the capital of Japan for over a thousand years and has flourished ever since. Kyoto's traditional culture, which can be said to be the origin of Japanese culture, has developed around court culture, religious culture, and townspeople culture.
Even today, there are many masters of the tea ceremony and flower arrangement schools, as well as those who continue to carry on the culture that supported the capital, and many cultural events are still held enthusiastically. Sightseeing in Kyoto will be a special experience unlike any other region. It is also home to many Buddhist temples, including 17 shrines and temples registered as UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The beautiful nature that surrounds them will also welcome you upon your visit. The Higashiyama area, including Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Gion, is a particularly popular spot, but Arashiyama is also easily accessible from central Kyoto and is a recommended spot where you can experience the beautiful mountains, forests, bamboo groves, ancient temples, and dry landscape gardens that change with the seasons.
Take a short trip from Osaka to Kyoto and fully experience the atmosphere of this ancient capital.

Located almost in the center of Japan, Mie Prefecture is blessed with abundant nature, from mountainous areas perfect for leaf-viewing, mountain climbing, and even skiing, to scenic ria coastlines. It also boasts some of Japan's most popular amusement spots. Known for its abundance of seafood, including spiny lobster, abalone, oysters, and pufferfish, Mie has earned the prefecture the nickname "Miketsukuni" (Land of Food). It's also home to Matsusaka beef, a famously high-quality marbled wagyu beef. And don't forget, it's home to Ise Grand Shrine, beloved as the spiritual home of the Japanese people, and the Kumano Kodo Trail, a World Heritage Site. It's also the birthplace of the haiku master Matsuo Basho and the Japanese classicist Motoori Norinaga, and the birthplace of the Iga-ryu ninja. Blessed with such abundant nature, history, culture, and bounty from the sea and mountains, Mie Prefecture has long been known as "Umashikuni" (Beautiful Land).

Nara was the first capital of Japan in 710. Nara is a city with a long history, yet it's only 30 minutes away from downtown Osaka. Nara is home to Japan's oldest temples and important cultural assets, and the impressive Great Buddha of Todaiji Temple is a sight to behold. These historic buildings and cultural assets are located near the vast Nara Park. Nara Park is known for its adorable deer, which are protected as a national natural monument. Deer crackers are sold throughout the park, so you can feed the deer and interact with them. If you're interested in visiting Nara, here's how to get there from Osaka.

Shiga Prefecture is located almost in the center of Japan. At its center is Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake, covering roughly one-sixth of the country's land area. Surrounded by lush mountains and rural landscapes, it is a spiritual homeland rich in water and greenery. The beautiful scenery woven by the serenely flowing Lake Biwa and its surrounding landscapes captivates us with its many different expressions as the seasons change. Shiga has long been a key transportation hub and a thriving cultural and economic center. Its deep historical culture still lives on today, with historic temples and shrines, traces of heroes from the Warring States period, and townscapes that retain a sense of history. These historic and cultural assets, some of the finest in Japan, are carefully preserved and passed down in each region of the prefecture.

Wakayama Prefecture is a treasure trove of pure nature, including oceans, mountains, and rivers. Enjoy easy access to nature through activities like swimming, fishing, canoeing, and trekking. It's also home to the sacred sites of Kumano and Mount Koya, considered the origins of faith and travel in Japan, offering a rich history and culture. Mount Koya, located at an elevation of approximately 900 meters, is easily accessible from Namba in about an hour and a half. However, once you set foot inside, you'll feel transported to another world, thanks to the grandeur of its architecture and dignified atmosphere. Founded 1,200 years ago by Kobo Daishi Kukai, this sacred site of Shingon Buddhism boasts numerous attractions, including Okunoin Temple. Experience vegetarian cuisine, sutra copying, and the Shingon Buddhist meditation technique of Ajikan, so we recommend a stay at a temple lodging. We hope you'll visit Wakayama Prefecture, a place rich in nature, history, and culture.