Kansai

KANSAI: A Haven of Golden Temples and Cute Deer!

Kansai is the country's cultural and spiritual emblem! It is famous for iconic temples like the Kinkakuji and historical sites throughout Kyoto. Witness geishas host a traditional tea ceremony and enjoy the company of friendly deer in Nara. The summer brings exceptional sceneries and a raft of incredible water sports!

When the summer rolls around, Kansai is bathed in the most beautiful sunny substratess and excellent weather for some fun on the water. Head over to Lake Biwa for calm and beautiful waters, excellent for an afternoon SUP Admire the Shirahige Torii gate floating in the turquoise before visiting the Hikone castle, just a stone's throw away, for a magical view of the unique three-level castle keep.

Still on ancient castles and significant ruins, be sure to spare a few hours for Himeji castle, a well-preserved, multi-storied and grandiose white hilltop castle with the best views. The golden temple of Kinkakuji offers a rare combination of designs while the ruins of Takeda castle hide many interesting stories beneath the rubble. On cloudy days, Takeda appears to be floating in the fog hence its sobriquet “the floating castle.” Osaka Castle is famous for its spring and fall leaves, and it once played a pivotal rule in the unification of Japan. Fushimi Inari Shrine and Todaiji temple are places of great interest too!

Back to the brimming menu of watersports, Kansai avails gravity-defying flyboarding off the white sands of Shirahama beach, known for its fishing and games. Drift the day away merrymaking with friends on a banana boat and go canoeing into the sunsets of Wakayama and Awaji Island, among many other fairytale locations. Embrace rafting across the Hozu River in Kyoto as you forge memories in the splashes, and quench that thirst for heights with a hoverboard experience in Himeji, Lake Biwa, Toyooka, and Tanabe.

The traditional experiences on offer are just as abundant and exciting. Stroll the Edo streets and parks with lovely kimono rentals and take pictures in paradises of green and yellow. Sit down in tatami rooms and be part of a customary tea ceremony in Gion, the geisha district, while being entertained by the song and dance of geishas. Get the full Maiko and Oiran experiences in Gion, some of which may entail meeting a samurai! For a taste of ancient handicrafts, learn flower arrangement (Ikebana) and traditional textile dyeing .

Kansai is not without its more than fair share of adventures. Cycle across World Heritage sites in Kyoto and Nara (also known for its blissful deer park), then take on forest adventures in Hyogo, Shiga, and around Mt. Koya. Visit a refreshing tea town on sightseeing guided tours that entail Dotonbori street food tours, and sake tasting trips around famous breweries.