3. The Kansai Region

The Kansai region is the second most populated and second most visited area of Japan. Join Jason and Paul as they explore Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and other amazing cities in Kansai!

Topics Covered:

• History

• Culture: Food — Sake — Baseball

• Kyoto: Culture/Arts/History — Temples/Shrines — Festivals — Fushimi Sake District — Arashiyama (Bamboo Grove/Monkey Park) — Imperial Palace — Nijo Castle — Theatre/Geisha/Tea Ceremony — Philosopher’s Path

• Osaka: Food (Okonomiyaki/Takoyaki) — Museums/Theaters/Shopping/Dining — Osaka Castle — Dotonbori — Universal Studios — Cup Noodle Museum — Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan

• Nara: Friendly Deer in Nara Park — Todaiji — Kasuga Taisha

• Kobe: Kobe Beef — Sake Breweries — Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge — Arima Onsen — Shin-Kobe Ropeway — Kitano

• Himeji: Himeji Castle — Kokoen Garden — Temples/Museums/Aquarium

• Koyasan: Temple Lodging — Hiking

• Ise: Ise Shrines — Ise-Shima National Park

• Uji: Byodoin Temple — Green Tea — Taihoan Tea House

• Kinosaki: Onsen (Hot Spring Baths)

• Yoshino: Cherry Blossoms — Temples/Shrines

• Asago: Takeda Castle Ruins

• Asuka and Sakurai: Archaeology