Kansai

Hikone is known for the famous Hikone Castle, one of the twelve original castles in Japan.

Omi Hachiman, that sits at the foot of Mt. Hachiman-yama in the center of Shiga, is a castle town of Hachiman-yama-jo.

Located on the southwestern shore of Lake Biwa-ko, Otsu is the main city of Shiga.

Koka is located in the southern part of Shiga Prefecture and is the homeland of ninja.

Shigaraki is a ceramic town of Koga City situated in the southern part of Shiga, and known as the home of Shigaraki ware.

The town of Nagashima is located in the northeastern part of Mie in a delta area created by the Kiso-gawa, Nagara-gawa, and Ibi-gawa rivers.

Yunoyama-onsen is a hot spring resort dotted with inns located at an altitude of 318 meters on the slope of a mountain along the Mitaki-gawa River in northern Mie.

Iga Ueno is famous for the Iga ninja and birthplace of Matsuo Basho, a renowned Japanese poet from the Edo Period.

Ise, located in the northwestern part of the Shima-hanto Peninsula in Mie, prospered as the shrine town of Ise-jingu.

Toba, located at the northeastern end of the Shima-hanto Peninsula in Mie, flourished as the castle town of the Kuki family who ruled this region from the 16th century.

Kumano is located in the Kii Peninsula and spans into the Wakayama and Mie Prefectures. The Hongu, Nachi and Hayatama Taisha are the three famed shrines of the area.

Amanohashidate is a sand bar on the Miyazu Bay and is one of the three scenic views of Japan.

Mt. Hieizan is said to be home to the deities of Shinto lore, but it is better known for the Buddhist monks of Enryakuji.

Kyoto was the former capital of Japan and is an important cultural and traditional center in the nation.

Uji is the birthplace of matcha (powdered green tea) and is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Osaka is the second largest metropolitan area in Japan and economic powerhouse of the Kansai Region.

One of the many famous hot springs in Japan, located in north Hyogo Prefecture.

Asago city is located near the center of the Hyogo Prefecture, an important center of traffic which links Tajima and San-In district.

Takarazuka is a city located in the southeastern part of Hyogo Prefecture and most famous for the Takarazuka Revue.

Arima Onsen is located in Kobe and is one of the oldest hot springs in Japan.

Kobe is the capital city of Hyogo Prefecture and was an important port city during the Edo Period.

Himeji is located in the southwestern part of Hyogo Prefecture and is known for Himeji Castle.

Awaji-shima is an island largest in the Seto Inland Sea and the third largest in Japan.

Nara is well known for all the wild deer roaming around the city, along with the deep cultural and religious background of Japan.

Yoshino is a small town located in the center of Nara Prefecture, which is well known for its rich cultural history and scenic views.

Hase-dera Temple lies along the Hatsuse-gawa River in the eastern part of Sakurai City in central Nara Prefecture.

Asuka is located in present day Nara Prefecture, which was also the Imperial capital of Japan during 538-710 AD also known as the Asuka period.

The village of Tenkawa is about a one-hour bus ride into the bosom of Mt. Yoshino-yama in the center of Nara.

Wakayama City is the prefectural center of politics, economy and culture, located on the Wakayama Plain at the mouth of Kino-kawa River.

Koyasan is the center for an important Buddhist sect known as Shingon Buddhism. It is located on the forest covered mountain top of Mount Koya.

The Doro-kyo Valley is situated in the eastern Wakayama at the border with Nara and Mie.

Nachi-Katsuura-machi Town located in the southeast of Wakayama faces the Katsuura Bay on the southern coast of the Kii-hanto Peninsula.

Shirahama is a place where flowers bloom earlier than anywhere, with sun shining brightly all year round.