'''Kansai''' (____) is the western region of the main Japanese island of Honshu, second only to Kanto region of Eastern Japan in population. The area is also known as '''Kinki''' (___E) District, literally "near the capital" (referring to ancient capital Kyoto), and its three big cities — Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe — as '''Keihanshin''' (______).
Differences between Kansai and Kanto (the eastern region dominated by Tokyo) are slight but numerous. Kansai people speak a distinctive dialect of Japanese, use lighter-colored soy in their cooking, ride on the other side of escalators and are renowned for humor and their love of food.
Prefectures
Hyogo - the largest prefecture in Kansai, stretching from coast to coast and covering Kobe and Himeji
Kyoto - synonymous with the city
Mie - eastern prefecture with one leg in Chubu (actually on the other side of Nagoya bay), best known for the Ise shrine and the famous Mikimoto "Pearl Island"
Nara - Japan's oldest capital Nara and its surroundings
Osaka - mostly Osaka itself, but covering Sakai city and numerous nearby suburbs as well
Shiga - rural backwater dominated by beautiful Lake Biwa
Wakayama - mountainous terrain and the southern coast
Cities
Hikone - castle and garden town off the beaten track
Himeji - small city famed for its beautiful castle
Ise - home to the eponymous '''Ise Shrine''', the holiest in all Japan
Kobe - maritime city known for its beef and Japan's oldest Chinatown
Kyoto - Japan's ancient capital, with temples and ''geisha''
Nara - an even more ancient capital (than Kyoto) centered around a beautiful park
Osaka - mega-world city famed for its food and nightlife is the principal city of Kansai region
Sakai - large city due south of Osaka city
Takarazuka - Famous for its all women theater
Islands
Awaji Island - gateway to Shikoku
Other attractions
Arima Onsen - historic hot spring town just across the hill from Kobe
Horyuji - temple complex housing some of the oldest wooden buildings in the world
Lake Biwa - the largest lake in Japan and nice for a quick break
Mount Hiei - headquarters of Tendai and protector of Kyoto
Mount Koya - mountaintop headquarters of the Buddhist Shingon sect
Talk
The '''Kansai dialect''' (______ ''Kansai-ben'') is Japan's liveliest, and largest dialect group after Kanto's Japanese dialect group collectively. There are many subdialects, ranging from the effete ''Kyo-kotoba'' (_____t) of Kyoto's courtiers to the gruff but imaginative gangster slang of Osaka, much favored by Japanese comedians. Some notable features include the copula ''ya'' instead of ''da'', the negative ending ''-hen'' instead of ''-nai'' and the use of ''akan'' instead of ''dame'' for "No way!".
That said, most Kansaites are perfectly conversant in standard Japanese, so knowledge of the local dialect is by no means necessary, but even a few words will be appreciated. The canonical Osakan greeting is ''M?karimakka?'' ("Making money?"), to which the canonical reply is ''Bochi-bochi denna'' ("Well, so-so"); trying this out on a friend or acquaintance is guaranteed to produce a surprised smile, and make you look like a ''kettai'' (funny, strange) or ''omoroi'' (funny) guy.
Get in
By plane
There are three major airports in the Kansai Metropolitan Area. International flights land at Kansai International Airport. The primary domestic airport is Osaka's Itami Airport (officially called Osaka International Airport even though there are no longer any international flights). A new regional airport opened in Kobe in 2006, right across the bay from Kansai International — in fact, Kansai was originally supposed to be built there!
By train
The Tokaido Shinkansen (bullet train) line from Tokyo serves Osaka, Kyoto and Kobe. The San'yo Shinkansen connects to Okayama, Hiroshima and Hakata.
Get around
The three major cities of Kansai - '''Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe''' - are connected by a myriad of train routes. When traveling between two of these cities, it helps to determine what method of transportation fits your travel needs, and fits your budget... unless you have a '''Japan Rail Pass''', of course.
Besides the Shinkansen, Japan Railways operates the main trunk line - the Tokaido Line - between Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe. The Kyoto-Osaka segment is known as the JR Kyoto Line, while the segment from Osaka to Kobe is the JR Kobe Line. The Special Rapid, or Shin-Kaisoku (_V____), generally leaves every 15 minutes with very fast transit times. If you do not have a Japan Rail Pass, however, JR can be more expensive compared to private railways.
Kyoto to Osaka
The '''JR Kyoto Line''' connects Kyoto Station in southern Kyoto with Osaka Station in northern Osaka, stopping at Shin-Osaka for the Tokaido and San'yo Shinkansen trains. 28 minutes between Kyoto and Osaka via Special Rapid, ¥540. Free with the Japan Rail Pass.
The '''Hanky? Line''' (___}) runs from central Kyoto, starting at Shijo and Kawaramachi streets. Trains exit Kyoto to the west and run into the massive Hanky? Umeda Terminal, located to the north of JR Osaka station. Limited express trains depart every ten minutes during most of the day. 45 minutes between Kawaramachi and Umeda, ¥390. Not vaild with the Japan Rail Pass.
The '''Keihan Line''' (____) runs from eastern Kyoto, starting from Demachiyanagi or Sanjo Street and operating parallel to the Kamo River past Gion and Kiyomizu Temple. Trains exit Kyoto to the south and run into central Osaka. After stops at Kyobashi (along the JR Osaka Loop Line) and Tenmabashi, the line splits: the main line runs to Yodoyabashi, while the Nakanoshima Line runs to Nakanoshima island. The fastest trains depart every ten minutes during most of the day. 51 minutes between Sanjo and Yodoyabashi, ¥400. One hour between Sanjo and Nakanoshima, ¥460. Not valid with the Japan Rail Pass.
If you do travel via the Keihan, an interesting thing to listen out for are the '''departure melodies''' - songs that are played before the train departs a station. Composed by Casiopea keyboardist and railroad enthusiast '''Minoru Mukaiya''' (___J_@__), each departure melody is part of an entire song - you will hear all parts of the song if you travel along the full route.
Another private railway that runs into Kyoto and Osaka is the '''Kintetsu Line''' (___S). However, traveling via Kintetsu between the two cities is '''not recommended'''. Services run on separate lines requiring you to change trains, and the total travel time is not worth the cost. On the other hand, Kintetsu is a great way to travel between '''Kyoto and Nara.'''
To go from Kyoto to southern Osaka (where Kintetsu trains terminate), you would be better off taking one of the other routes listed above; when you reach Osaka, change to the southbound Midosuji subway line and get off at Nanba.
Osaka to Kobe
The '''JR Kobe Line''' connects Osaka station in northern Osaka with Sannomiya and Kobe stations in Kobe; Sannomiya station is more centrally-located. 20 minutes between Osaka and Sannomiya via Special Rapid, ¥390. Free with the Japan Rail Pass.
The '''Hanky? Line''' runs from Umeda to Sannomiya, running to the north of the JR Line. Limited Express trains leave every ten minutes during most of the day. 27 minutes from Umeda to Sannomiya; ¥310. Not valid with the Japan Rail Pass.
The '''Hanshin Line''' (____) runs from its own Umeda station, south of JR Osaka, to Sannomiya, with trains continuing on to Himeji. Limited Express trains leave every ten minutes during most of the day. 29 minutes from Umeda to Sannomiya, ¥310. Not valid with the Japan Rail Pass.
'''Hanshin''' trains also run from Namba station in southern Osaka. Most services are a one-seat ride, otherwise you will have to change trains at Amagasaki. 45 minutes via Rapid Express, ¥400. Not valid with the Japan Rail Pass.
Kyoto to Kobe
The '''JR Kyoto''' and '''Kobe Lines''' connect Kyoto with Sannomiya and Kobe stations. 50 minutes from Kyoto to Sannomiya via Special Rapid, ¥1050. Free with the Japan Rail Pass.
The '''Hanky? Line''' connects central Kyoto with Sannomiya, with a change of trains at Juso (north of Umeda) necessary. About 70 minutes from Kawaramachi to Sannomiya via Limited Express, ¥600. Not valid with the Japan Rail Pass.
Nara to Kobe
'''Kintetsu''' trains run from the historical city of Nara to Sannomiya station on the '''Hanshin''' line via Namba. Direct trains leave every 20 minutes, reaching Sannomiya in 75 minutes at a cost of ¥940. Not valid with the Japan Rail Pass.
Tickets and Passes
Most of Kansai's regional transportation companies have tied up to offer the '''ICOCA''' tickets, which can be used on pretty much any train, subway, monorail, cable car or bus in the region. The Nankai and JR trains from Kansai Airport are also included, and you can buy your card or pass at the airport's train station.
The '''ICOCA''' card [http://www.jr-odekake.net/guide/icoca/what.html] is a contactless smart card that can be used on JR West, JR East (Tokyo) and most private rail and bus companies in Kansai and Chugoku (Okayama, Hiroshima). Cards are available at ticket vending machines in train stations for ¥2000, including a refundable ¥500 deposit. More money can be added at the same machines.
The ''Surutto Kansai'' magnetic card is similar to ICOCA, but it doesn't work on JR and is not rechargable, making it pretty much obsolete.
The '''Kansai Thru Pass''' [http://www.surutto.com/conts/ticket/3dayeng/] can be purchased as a two-day (\3800) or a three-day (\5000) pass. It is valid for two/three separate days within the validity period which is printed on the back (usually a couple of months). It can be used on most non-JR trains and buses (and even some cable cars) in Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe and Nara with the notable exception of JR trains. The service area extends south to the Kansai International Airport and the city of Wakayama and southeast to Mount Koya (Check the [http://www.surutto.com/conts/ticket/3dayeng/map.html Area Map] on the webpage for details). In addition to free transport, these tickets offer a series of small discounts to temples, museums and other attractions in the region. Be aware that you'll have to travel quite a bit to make them pay off. (''Note:'' You might be asked to show your passport when you purchase this card.)
JR-West also offers the '''Kansai Area Pass''' [http://www.westjr.co.jp/english/travel/jrp/index.html], which costs \2000/\4000/\5000/\6000 for 1/2/3/4 days respectively and is valid for unlimited travel on JR standard and Haruka limited express trains (non-reserved seats only). The area covered is approximately the same as for the Kansai Thru Pass above. There is also a more complicated route-based JR 4-day pass for different routes in the Kansai area called the '''Kansai Passport''' [http://www.kippo.or.jp/travel/support_e/passport/pass.htm].
See
With its political and geographical significance in the history of Japan, the region of Kansai possesses three quarters of Japan's "National Treasure" buildings, half of its "National Treasure" artworks, as well as five UNESCO World Heritage Sites, making it an unmatched destination for heritage tourists to Japan.
Kyoto and Nara are both ancient capitals of Japan chock-a-block with temples and historical sites.
Himeji is famous for its gorgeous castle.
Banded together as the ''Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range'', the shrines of Yoshino, Mount Koya and Kumano are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Eat
Kansai cooking is subtly different from the Kanto style, although the average short-term visitor is unlikely to spot many differences. Perhaps the most visible differences are a tendency to use light-colored soy instead of dark, especially in soups, and a preference for thick white ''udon'' noodles over the thin buckwheat ''soba'' noodles of eastern Japan.
Some famous Kansai dishes include:
'''sabazushi''' (_I___i mackerel sushi), ''Battera'' of Osaka, ''sabazushi'' in Kyoto, or ''kaki-no-ha zushi'' (_`___t___i) from Nara are local variants of this type
'''okonomiyaki''' (___D______), variously described as Japanese pizza or pancakes. Although Hiroshima also makes a strong claim for this name, they are in fact reasonably different from each other. (Hiroshima style tends to come cooked on a pile of noodles.)
'''takoyaki''' (________) is the common name for the fried balls of octopus and batter. ''Akashiyaki'' (________) from Akashi City area is recognized as the origin of the more famous Osaka-style ''takoyaki''. As opposed to the Osaka-style being served with dark and thick sauce on it, Akashiyaki are eaten without sauce but dipped into clear soup. When visiting ''takoyaki'' bars, the various fillings mentioned are generally substituted for octopus, rather than being an addition.
'''beef''' (_a__), there are famous beef brands; ''Kobe beef'' (______), ''Matsusaka beef'' (______), ''Tajima beef'' (_A_n__) and ''Omi beef'' (___]__).
'''udon''' (______) is the popular noodle in Osaka instead of soba in Tokyo. Another udon area, Sanuki in Shikoku, is famous for delicious noodles, while Osaka is famous for delicious soup.
Drink
Kansai is ''sake'' country, with '''Nada''' (in Kobe) and '''Fushimi''' (in Kyoto) alone accounting for 45% of the country's production. Kobe in particular is a good place to tour sake breweries, many of which are open to visitors.