Kansai: Exploring Hidden Gems Beyond Kyoto
Kansai, located in the western part of Honshu Island, is a cultural and historical hub of Japan. While most travelers visit this region to explore Kyoto, there are plenty of other unique and relaxing destinations worth discovering. Let me share some lesser-known but fantastic places in Kansai.
Kobe
Many people have been to Kobe, but they mostly just come for the famous Kobe beef. However, Kobe offers much more than just great food, with plenty of interesting places to explore.
Strolling through downtown Kobe is delightful, with the city flanked by the coast on one side and mountains on the other. Start your walk in the Sannomiya area, which is the shopping and dining hub. From there, visit the Ikuta Shrine, a beautiful shrine that is one of the oldest in Japan. Locals believe that praying here can help you find love.
Not far from Ikuta Shrine is the Kobe Mosque, Japan’s first mosque, built in 1935. The surrounding area is home to a Muslim community, so you’ll find many shops and restaurants offering halal food.
For souvenirs or snacks, head to Kitano Meister Garden. Despite the name “garden,” it’s not a park but a retro-style building that was once a school. On the second floor, I tried my hand at making food samples (those wax replicas often seen in display windows) and attempted to create a macaron. It turns out that decorating such tiny items is quite challenging, especially with my poor eyesight! Haha!
A fun place to visit is Kobe Animal Kingdom. While it’s a zoo, what makes it special is that many of the animals aren’t caged, so you can pet them directly! This is where I first encountered and petted a capybara, the world’s largest rodent, weighing around 50 kg! Other unique animals include alpacas, kangaroos, and red pandas (Master Shifu from Kung Fu Panda). Don’t forget to have lunch at the Flower Forest restaurant, which offers a delicious all-you-can-eat buffet.
If you’re in Kobe in early December, don’t miss the Kobe Luminarie at Kobe East Park. This annual festival commemorates the victims of the 1995 Hanshin earthquake, featuring stunning light installations as large as buildings, crafted by Italian artisans. Another unique night spot to visit is Nankinmachi, Kobe’s Chinatown, established in 1868. It’s lined with affordable shopping and dining options.
Recommendations:
- From Kansai Airport (KIX), the quickest way to Kobe is by high-speed ferry. Take a shuttle bus to Airport Pier, and in just half an hour on the ferry, you’ll arrive in Kobe—much faster than the 1.5-hour journey by land.
- To save on train fares, use the Hanshin tourist pass (500 Yen for 1 day unlimited travel between Osaka and Kobe) or the Hankyu tourist pass (700 Yen for 1 day unlimited travel between Osaka, Kobe, and Kyoto).
- Hotel: Kobe Portopia Hotel – the architecture is impressive, and the rooms are spacious by Japanese standards.
Tokushima
Located on Shikoku Island, Tokushima is easily accessible by train or bus from Kobe or Osaka, connected by a bridge. The landscape in Tokushima is spectacular, featuring mountains and emerald-green rivers. It’s an ideal destination for nature lovers like me!
At Oboke Gorge, take the Oboke Pleasure Cruise. This motorboat ride for about 20 passengers takes you along the blue-green waters of the Yoshino River, surrounded by massive white rocks and forests on the cliffs, with leaves turning yellow, orange, and purple in the fall.
Not far from there is Kazurabashi Bridge, an ancient suspension bridge made from vine branches. Crossing the 45-meter-long, 14-meter-high bridge can be nerve-wracking as it sways and has widely spaced foot planks! But the surrounding scenery is absolutely breathtaking. The area around the bridge is also great for exploring on foot. You can relax on the riverbank rocks or meditate by the Biwa waterfall while enjoying grilled Ayu fish, caught from the river and simply seasoned with salt.
Recommendations:
- Lunch: Rest House Ueno – Their Gyudon (rice with beef) is super delicious!
- Hotel: Obokekyo Mannaka – This ryokan-style accommodation features traditional Japanese tatami rooms, its own onsen, and guests are required to wear yukata.
Tottori
Who would have thought there’s a desert in Japan? Tottori Sand Dunes, Japan’s largest, stretch along 16 km of coastline and reach heights of up to 50 meters, formed over 30,000 years. The fine yellow sand, expansive dunes, and beautiful beach create a truly spectacular sight!
Across from the dunes is the Sand Museum, which showcases various sand sculptures and carvings. Each year, the theme changes; this year, it’s South Asia, with grand and detailed sculptures of Mahatma Gandhi, Buddha, Patan Durbar Square, and Varanasi, complete with scenes of people in the background.
Another unique attraction is the Nijisseiki Pear Museum in Kurayoshi. This museum offers everything about pears, especially the Nijisseiki variety, which is widely grown in the region. You can learn about the history and cultivation of pears, taste different types, and even enjoy pear-flavored ice cream.
Recommendations:
- Dinner: Izakaya Gyoen – The food at this traditional Japanese bar is delicious, especially the various fried dishes.
- Hotel: St Palace Kurayoshi – The hotel is basic but has a strategic location right across from the train station.
Osaka
As the largest city in Kansai, Osaka is a must-visit. Beyond shopping and dining in Namba and Dotonbori, there are many other interesting places to explore.
As a fan of city views, I love visiting Abeno Harukas. This 300-meter-tall skyscraper has an observation deck on the 60th floor, offering a 360° view of Osaka. In winter, there’s a light show projected onto the building’s walls.
Did you know there’s a UNESCO World Heritage site near Osaka, specifically in Sakai? Sakai is home to kofun, ancient tombs of Japanese rulers from the 3rd to 7th centuries. Uniquely, these tombs are shaped like keyholes from above, but they are vast and surrounded by moats—the largest being 486 meters wide! There are many kofun in Sakai, and it can be exhausting to explore them all. The easiest way to learn about them is by visiting the Mozu and Furuichi Tumuli cluster, entering the Sakai City Museum, and watching the Virtual Reality presentation.
In the afternoon, enjoy matcha tea at Machiya Café Sacay, where you can also learn how to make Japanese sweets called wagashi (a type of mochi shaped into cute forms). Before returning to Indonesia, don’t forget to shop at MEGA Don Quijote. This massive and affordable department store has several locations in Osaka, but the one in Shinsekai is the largest, so you can shop to your heart’s content.
Recommendations:
- Lunch: Umeda Food Hall – There are plenty of food options with a comfortable atmosphere.
- Dinner: Restaurant Olympia at Hotel New Hankyu – Enjoy an all-you-can-eat buffet here, including sushi, wagyu steak, Peking duck, and unlimited ice cream!
- Hotel: Hankyu Respire Osaka – This newly opened hotel is still sparkling, with a central location, connected to a train station, and with a shopping mall right below.