Kansai

Travel guides for the Kansai region including Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Kobe and Himeji

Traditional Japanese inn room with shoji screens opening onto a mountain view

Arima Onsen Guide: Japan’s Oldest Hot Spring Near Kobe (Complete Guide)

Arima Onsen is the oldest hot spring in Japan and one of the most accessible from Kobe, Osaka and Kyoto. Famous for…

Gravel path through the sacred cedar forest of Ise Jingu, Mie Prefecture

Ise Jingu Guide: Japan’s Most Sacred Shinto Shrine in Mie Prefecture

Ise Jingu in Mie Prefecture is the most sacred site in Shinto and the spiritual heart of Japan. This complete first-timer's guide…

Culture & Customs

Koyasan Guide: Temple Stays (Shukubo), Okunoin and How to Visit Mount Koya

Plan a night on Koyasan: shukubo prices and booking in late 2026, Okunoin and the night tour, temple fees, shojin ryori, etiquette,…

Mountain cherry blossoms and old temple buildings on the slopes of Yoshino, Nara Prefecture

Culture & Customs

Yoshino Guide: Japan’s Sacred Cherry Blossom Mountain in Nara Prefecture

Yoshino is the spiritual heart of Japan's cherry blossom culture — a sacred ridge in Nara Prefecture covered with 30,000 cherry trees…

Seiganto-ji three-story pagoda with Nachi Falls behind on the Kumano Kodo, Wakayama

Culture & Customs

Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Guide: Walking Japan’s UNESCO Sacred Trails in Wakayama

Complete first-timer's guide to walking the Kumano Kodo, Japan's UNESCO World Heritage pilgrimage routes through the sacred mountains of Wakayama. Covers the…

Lantern-lit stone alley with wooden machiya at night in Gion, Kyoto

Culture & Customs

Gion Guide: Kyoto’s Geisha District, Traditional Streets and Hidden Temples

Discover Gion, Kyoto's most famous geisha district. This complete guide covers Hanamikoji Street, Yasaka Shrine, Kennin-ji Temple, the best restaurants, seasonal tips,…

Bamboo whisk in a bowl of freshly whisked matcha green tea

Culture & Customs

Matcha Guide: History, Etiquette, and the Best Matcha Experiences in Japan

A complete guide to matcha for first-time Japan visitors. Learn matcha's history, proper preparation, tea ceremony etiquette, where to experience matcha in…