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
What to do and see in Kinki, Japan: The Best Museums
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. 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!!
2. 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.
3. Cup Noodle Museum Osaka Ikeda
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 683 reviews
Dedicated to ramen noodle cups, the museum showcases the mind-boggling number of instant ramen flavor variations that have come out over the years and a reproduction of the hut where Momofuku Ando first created them.
Reviewed By M_Danial - Singapore, Singapore
We visited last year, and we decided to visit again this year because of how fun it was. It's located near Ikeda station in Kansai (Osaka), though you'll need to take a private line to reach there (meaning it won't be covered under the Japan Rail pass). You'll also want to take the express train there as it's significantly faster. Once at Ikeda, it's a short walk to the museum. There'll be a lot of school children visiting as well. Entry is free, but you can rent an English audio guide if you want to watch and listen to the exhibits. There's an area where you can design your own Cup Noodle (each cup is about JPY300). Once you buy the number of cups you want, you get directed to seat at a table to design your own cup with the markers the provide. Once you're done with designing, you can proceed to make your Cup Noodle proper. First stop on the line is where the staff will help to load up the noodle, and you'll have to help with spinning the wheel. Next, you'll have to choose the soup base (Original, Chilli Tomato, Seafood or Curry), as well as up to 4 ingredients to go along with it (such as green onion, prawn, etc). Last, they'll heat wrap the cup with plastic after sealing the lid. Last of all, you can put the Cup Noodle in a bag and inflate it to keep it safe, though you won't be able to bring it on the flight if you do so. However, if you plan to give it as a give, feel free to take the bag and corresponding string without inflating it!
4. Sagawa Art Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 164 reviews
Reviewed By Cyber0515 - Tokyo, Japan
無機質ながらも整然とした神殿のような建物、水面に浮かぶ佐藤忠良氏の彫刻作品、陰影を巧みに利用した館内、単に美術品を展示する美術館ではなく、建物そのものが素晴らしい美術的センスに溢れている。特に晴れた日には水面に照り返された陽の光が天井や壁に映り、時間と共に変化する様子を楽しむことも出来る。 美術品の展示の仕方は極めてシンプルで、余計な説明も少なく、全て観覧者の想像を掻き立てるように展示されている。日本語だけでなく英語の説明文も併記されているため、海外観光客も充分に楽しむことが出来る。 基本的に車で来る場所であり、バスの本数は多くは無い。予め時刻表等を確認して利用することをお勧めする。 是非ともお勧めしたい、展示されている美術品だけでなく建物そのものが素晴らしい美術館である。 The museum itself is full of wonderful artistic sensibilities: the inorganic yet orderly temple-like building, the sculptures by Churyo Sato arranged as if floating on the water surface, and the interior of the museum with its skillful use of shadows. Especially on a sunny day, the sunlight shining on the surface of the water reflects on the ceiling and walls, and you can enjoy how it changes with time. The artworks are displayed in a very simple way, with few explanations, and all of them are designed to stimulate the visitors' imagination. The explanations are not only in Japanese but also in English, making it possible for overseas visitors to enjoy the exhibits. Basically, it is a place to come by car, and there are not many buses. So it is recommended to check the timetable beforehand. I highly recommend this art museum, not only for the artworks on display but also for enjoying the building itself.
5. Open-Air Museum of Old Japanese Farm Houses
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 88 reviews
The Open-Air Musuem of Old Japanese Farmhouses is an outdoor museum where representative houses from throughout Japan have been moved and restored for exhibition along with related items and implements from daily living. Located on grounds of about 36,000㎡ inside Hattori Ryokuchi Park in Toyonaka City, Osaka Prefecture, the museum has on display 12 farmhouses such as the Namba Magariya from as far north as Iwate to the Takakura from as far south as Amami Oshima. These houses were all built in Edo period(17-19th century) and are imbued with the style created by the climate, culture, and customs characteristic to each locality. The clever use of the natural surroundings and wisdom applied by people at the time to live in harmony are in display throughout of time to convey to us quietly important messages.
