Considering a trip to Japan mainly to the Kansai region?
You want to eat delicious food in Osaka, taste traditional Japanese culture in Kyoto, and meet deer in Nara. Also want to eat Kobe beef and enjoy Kansai to the fullest.
So, you are looking for a place to stay in an area with good accessibility, but you are not familiar with the area and have no idea which area to visit.
Therefore, in this article, as a resident of the Kansai region, I would like to recommend areas to stay if you are planning to visit the Kansai region.
Osaka Minami area
Osaka is famous for this area! This is the Minami area where Namba and Dotonbori, famous for the Glico sign, are located.
The town of Osaka is spread out in this area, where you can fully enjoy Takoyaki, Okonomiyaki and other gourmet foods that represent Osaka.
Minami is a recommended lodging area for those who want to travel at a lower price, as there are many rather reasonable hotels and stores.
ーーーーー Recommended POINTS ーーーーー
・It takes only 35 minutes from Kansai Airport by Nankai Train! No need to change trains!
・There is a huge shopping street and it’s fun even just to walk around!
・Dotonbori is the first place that comes to mind when I think of Osaka.
・Many restaurants offer multilingual menus, and prices are relatively inexpensive, so this is a recommended area for eating out.
Osaka Kita
Kita – the center of Osaka where Umeda and Osaka Stations are located.
There are several huge commercial facilities and 3 large department stores in the area, so if you want to enjoy shopping, this is the area to be in.
The large number of train lines serving the area also provides excellent access to other Osaka areas, Kyoto, Kobe, Nara, Himeji, Arima, Kinosaki, and other areas.
ーーーーー Recommended POINTS ーーーーー
・Easy access to the entire Kansai region, and you can easily get to the other areas mentioned here by train.
・Department stores such as Hankyu Department Store and Hanshin Department Store are located in the area, providing a variety of shopping spots.
・There are many famous hotels in the area, so it is perfect for those who want to value hotels as well.
Kobe
Kobe – famous for its Kobe beef.
Surrounded by the ocean and mountains, the city offers a bit of elegance despite being in the heart of the city.
Kobe Beef, of course, is the main attraction, as well as many fashionable restaurants and sweet stores.
The comfortable and compact nature of the city allows you to live as if you were living in the city.
Therefore, this is a recommended area to stay for those who stay in Japan for a long time.
ーーーーー Recommended POINTS ーーーーー
・It takes only 20 minutes from Osaka without changing trains.
・It is an urban area with department stores, but you can also enjoy nature near the ocean and mountains.
・It has the most famous night view spot in Kansai and is recommended for a date.
・It is also easy to get to Arima Onsen, so some people go there together.
・If you want to visit Himeji Castle, please stop by as it is close by.
Kyoto
Kyoto – a city that preserves the traditional culture of Japan.
If you come to Japan for sightseeing, many people may visit。
There is no reason not to stay overnight in Kyoto if you want to see around the city’s tourist attractions.
Also, if you want to stay in a room with traditional Japanese architecture, or if you want to spend a night in a city with traditional streetscapes, this is a great option.
ーーーーー Recommended POINTS ーーーーー
・Many centuries-old houses, called “Minka” , are still remaining and have been turned into cafes and other stores, so you can relax and feel the history of the area.
・Many historic Ryokans (Tatami, Japanese-style rooms) offer a taste of Japanese tradition.
・Ideal for those who want to see Kyoto’s temples, shrines and Buddhist temples.
・Many foreigners visit, so there are many English speakers and it is very tourist oriented!
Kinosaki Onsen
If you are interested in going there, we recommend that you stay in the Kinosaki Onsen area.
It is not impossible to take a day trip from the center of Osaka, but the location is distant, abut 3 hours and 30 minutes by train.
If you want to enjoy the extraordinary space of Kinosaki Onsen as much as possible without being rushed, we recommend staying in the Kinosaki Onsen area.
ーーーーー Recommended POINTS ーーーーー
・Kinosaki Onsen is far from the main part of Kansai. If you want to relax in Kinosaki, we recommend staying at a Ryokan in Kinosaki Onsen.
・You can wear Yukata and Geta and walk around the hot spring resort area.
・One of the most foreigner-friendly hot spring resorts in Japan
Summary
What do you think? Are there any towns you found interesting??
Since the Kansai area is close, you can visit multiple areas such as Kyoto from Umeda,
but if you want to take your time to explore the area, we recommend staying overnight in a specific destination.
I hope you enjoy your visit to Japan!
