Kinki, Japan Overview

No visit to Japan is complete without a trip to the old political, economic and cultural heartland of Kinki, also known as Kansai.

Situated in the middle of the western dogleg of Japan, Kinki is home to the famous cities of Kyoto, Osaka, Kobe and Nara.

Although each of these are geographically close their atmosphere and lifestyles are far apart.

For instance, Kyoto, the old Imperial capital, is full of ancient temples, an imperial heritage in the form of the amazing Emperor’s palace, the old Geisha town of Gion, and a cultural background said to include the most refined manners and language in all Japan.

Osaka, on the other hand, just seven minutes away by bullet train, is widely decried as Japan’s uncouth relative. Down to earth, direct and in turns hilarious and offensive to Japanese sensibilities, Osakans spawn Japan’s comedians, maintian its economic engine, and feed you some of the best cooking around.

Kobe, scene of the worst earthquake in living memory, has rebuilt and revitalised to form one of the most delightful and peaceful cities you can wish to visit.

Historically the interface to the outside world due to its port, Kobe has a long history of foreign contact which has imbued its people with a very global outlook and attitude.

This is expressed nowhere more clearly than in its old foreign sector where houses built in European style still stand for crowds to visit, adjacent to the charming herb gardens planted on the side of a mountain.

Finally Nara, the home of the world’s biggest free standing wooden structure (and today’s is smaller than previous buildings!), shelters a massive statue of Buddha which looks out serenely onto a large park filled with hungry deer and brings a spiritual calm to an ancient city.

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