Kansai 関西
Chances are you’re planning to visit the huge Kansai metropolis that includes the cities of Osaka, Kyōto, Kōbe and Nara - this is Japan’s second largest urban area with a population of 20 to 25 million, depending on what you include.
Kyōto is so popular with both domestic and international visitors that we’ve given it its own region in this app.
Keep in mind that its possible to base yourself in any of Osaka, Kyōto, Kōbe and Nara and visit any or all of the others on day trips.
Further afield, my favourites spots in Kansai are the atmospheric northern hot springs town of Kinosaki Onsen, the mountaintop monastery complex at Kōya-san and the Yamanobe-no-michi ramble through the Nara countryside.