City: Kinki
Top Things to do in Kinki
Top Hotels in Kinki
- 1. The Bridge Hotel Shinsaibashi
- 2. Hotel Universal Port
- 3. Hotel Universal Port Vita
- 4. Mitsui Garden Hotel Kyoto Shinmachi Bettei
- 5. Hotel Nikko Osaka
- 6. Kobe Meriken Park Oriental Hotel
- 7. Temple Town Hotel WAQOO Horyuji
- 8. Hotel Granvia Osaka
- 9. The Park Front Hotel at Universal Studios Japan
- 10. RIHGA Royal Hotel Osaka
The 10 Best Hidden Gems Things to do in Kinki, Japan
The Kansai region (関西地方, Kansai-chihō) or the Kinki region (近畿地方, Kinki-chihō) lies in the southern-central region of Japan's main island Honshū. The region includes the prefectures of Mie, Nara, Wakayama, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyōgo and Shiga, sometimes Fukui, Tokushima and Tottori. While the use of the terms "Kansai" and "Kinki" have changed over history, in most modern contexts the use of the two terms is interchangeable. The urban region of Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto (Keihanshin region) is the second-most populated in Japan after the Greater Tokyo Area.
Restaurants in Kinki
1. Kyoto Obubu Tea Farms
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 32 reviews
Our Japanese Tea Tour is a great opportunity to experience and learn more about Japanese tea culture. You will have a chance to taste a wide range of traditional Japanese teas as well as to visit several beautiful tea fields in the surrounding mountains. We are looking forward to welcoming you on an unforgettable adventure to tea sites and flavors! More information about our tea tours is the link below and if you are interested, you can book it directly through our website. https://obubutea.com/guided-tea-tour/
2. Nara Visitor Center & Inn
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 372 reviews
Nara Visitor Center & Inn is located in the midst of Nara. Right on the edge of Sarusawa Pond, the location offers wonderful views of the changing seasons. Nara Visitor Center & Inn provides tourists visiting Nara a great place to relax and interact along with the opportunity to discover and experience the city’s cultural and sightseeing riches. We provide with variety of cultural activities from 10 am - 5 pm everyday
Reviewed By naomi2320 - Komaki, Japan
スタッフはとてもフレンドリーでした。奈良の可能スポットやハラルの食べ物を提供するレストランの情報も教えてくれました。祈り室も広くて綺麗でした。ムスリム旅行者にとってはとてもありがたいです。 The staff was very friendly! He taught me the best way to stroll around Nara with a sightseeing map they have which was very helpful for my first trip to Nara.I also used the free storage and the prayer room they have. The prayer room was extremely clean and spacious! There is a place for doing the Wudhu too, so it is very convenient for muslim who is traveling to Nara.
3. Miho Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 340 reviews
Reviewed By foodiekatkat - Hong Kong, China
Opened in 1997 amid the abundant natural beauty of the mountains of Shigaraki, Shiga prefecture. The museum was designed by architect I.M. Pei, who is renowned for works such as the glass pyramid at the Louvre in Paris. Is a truly amazing museum especially their collection, I do really like standing Buddha!!
4. Gio-ji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 405 reviews
Reviewed By Caro3166 - Tannum Sands, Australia
Just beautiful. So we went here. If you love gardens you will really appreciate this temple. We went in mid December and there were still lots of autumn leaves.
5. Disaster Reduction and Human Renovation Institution
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 197 reviews
Reviewed By Malcolm_See - Singapore, Singapore
Having never experienced an earthquake before, this museum was an eye-opener for myself. Earthquake is kinda a part and parcel of life in Japan as this region lies on many of the tectonic lines. The highlight was definitely the two movies on the 1995 Kobe Hanshin great earthquake, which was reproduced to showcase the extent of the damage and immerse the viewers in the earthquake experience. The movie was played in Japanese, but there were audio guides provided. After that there were exhibitions on the wreckage shown in the museum and the recovery process. Across the building was information on other type of natural disaster in Japan and there was even a simulator on running/swimming away from a tsunami. Definitely worth a visit if visiting Kobe!
6. National Museum of Ethnology
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 176 reviews
Reviewed By Buckster21 - London, United Kingdom
In the centre of the Expo Park, and some way out of the city, this museum is definitely worth a visit. The second floor is a huge set of rooms that are informative (and usually in English too) and very well laid out. The place is an academic centre too, which probably explains the outstanding quality of the exhibits. You will learn about other cultures, not just in Asia, and see samples of their art, religion and dress. As an example of how to explain changes in societies, this place is hard to beat.
7. Takeno Coast
8. Kamikura Shrine
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 200 reviews
Reviewed By PeterthePauper - Ulsan, South Korea
Intending to visit the Kii Peninsular for a few days in mid-July, I initially toyed with the idea of walking the full Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage. Given my age (late 60's), a lack of overall fitness following some serious medical issues and the prevailing heat and humidity at this time of year, common sense eventually prevailed and I opted for a few less strenuous days in Wakayama and Takamatsu respectively. Not prepared to give-up entirely on the Kumano; whilst in Wakayama, I thought I would extract some value from my 5-day JR Rail Pass and make the lengthy (3-hrs each way by Limited Express Kuroshio) but very scenic journey to Shingu. Arriving in Shingu, I first called-in at the Shingu City Tourist Information Centre (located immediately opposite the entrance to the JR Station) and picked-up a very useful 'Walking Map of Shingu' (available in various languages) which suggested a walking route which takes in all three Shingu Shrines. The suggested route of approx. 6km has an estimated completion time of 80mins, and talks in terms of 40mins to ascend/descend to/from the Kamikura Jinja Shrine. With temperatures in the 30's (deg C) and my phone app reading "feels like 43 deg", I opted to tackle the 'difficult' climb up to the Kamikura Jinja Shrine first. The description of "538 steep stone steps" is slightly misleading in that rather than even, consistent steps, these are rough hewn stones where the rise can vary anywhere from 100mm to 400mm. For me the ascent was beyond 'difficult', through 'gruelling' and into the 'brutal' category! You definitely need to make use of one of the walking sticks kindly left at the base by other travellers. With frequent stops every few metres to towel-down, take-on water or converse with other foreigners (I think everybody I met took the opportunity to stop and talk a while .... anything to take a break from this arduous climb!), the ascent alone must have taken the best part of an hour. On reaching the top, although only around 100m above the starting point, I felt the tremendous elation of a full cardio workout with tremendous views as a bonus. By the time I had carefully descended, it was time to head back to the JR Station to catch my train back to Wakayama. Although I missed out this day on the other Shingu Shrines, I was hardly disappointed after such a challenging experience.
9. Ine no Funaya
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 317 reviews
Reviewed By JavierMariam_3
The historic wooden boat houses/funayas are amazing to view from Ine bay via tour boat! Also, @ the information center in town, a 2000 yen deposit allows you to rent a bike to easily ride the street & venture out ... once done riding, your 2000 yen is returned. Our lodging was located across from the fish market. On Sunday, our lodging host joined us @ 0600 to watch the fishing boats unload their catches of the day & she gave us a tour. Having no nightlife there was ok with us. No convenience stores or grocery stores close by so we planned ahead & brought our food to cook. Not many restaurants were open due to COVID but we made the best of it. Truly a gorgeous area to explore! Low key & great for relaxing.
10. Okochi Sanso Garden
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 618 reviews
Reviewed By khang_lenguyen - Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
As one of hundreds of gardens in Kyoto, we easily bypass this wonderful garden. The admission fee of 1000yen is worth for every piece, including the free green-tea cup and one small cake as refresher. The walking path in the garden leads to the top view of the garden, where Mt. Arashi and Mt. Ogura can be observed. Daihi temple can also been seen. The path itself is the great sight. Two paths of beautiful tree side by side the guests will create mysterious atmosphere. On the top of them, colourful leaves are welcoming and reflected by the sunlight. I've just felt that I was walking through some places in dreams. Too beautiful to say about this garden. You should not miss it in autumn!
