Kansai area (Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Wakayama)

One of the Three Most Scenic Views of Japan. Many tourists visit this mysterious, natural landscape every year. Amanohashidate is a sandy beach about 20 to 170 meters wide and 3.6 km long, with a rare topography of about 8,000 pine trees. It was named "Amanohashidate" because its shape resembles a bridge in the sky.

This is the head shrine of "Oinari-san", known for its 1,000 torii gates. It has been attracting faith from people for 1,300 years. Behind the main hall, the 1,000 torii gates donated by worshippers stand in a mysterious and magnificent row, creating a truly impressive sight.

This 381.5 meter-high mountain rises to the west of the Togetsu Bridge and is designated as a national historic site of scenic beauty. It is visited by many tourists for its cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in fall. The symbol of Arashiyama, Togetsu Bridge, is said to have originated from a song sung by Emperor Kameyama, who said that it looked like the moon was crossing the bridge. The trolley train is a sightseeing train that runs along Hozu River the upper reaches of the Oigawa River, where the Watarigetsukyo Bridge is located. The train slows down at scenic spots so that passengers can enjoy the scenery of Arashiyama at a leisurely pace.

Located in the center of Shiga Prefecture, Lake Biwa is the largest lake in Japan. The road has little elevation change, making it ideal for cycling or motorcycling. Boat cruises are also recommended. You can enjoy meals on the boat while taking in the spectacular views, and in the summer there are beer gardens. There are many tourist spots around Lake Biwa, so be sure to stop by.

Located on the east side of Lake Biwa, this castle was built in the early Edo period. It is a popular tourist spot that has been designated a national treasure along with Himeji Castle and Matsumoto Castle, and was also selected as one of Japan's 100 most famous castles. Highlights include the castle tower, which features stunning decorations with beautiful metal fittings and black lacquer, and the Tenbin Yagura, which has been designated as an Important Cultural Property of Japan.

Omihachiman City is famous for Hachimanbori and Suigo Meguri. With its white-walled storehouses, mansions built by wealthy merchants, and stone wall scenery, the cityscape is as if time had stopped several centuries ago, making it a tourist spot that is fun to stroll around.

Himeji Castle is a symbol of Hyogo Prefecture, a national treasure and registered World Heritage Site. It is said to have been built in 1346 by Akamatsu Norimura, a military commander during the Nanboku-cho period. The five-story, six-storey castle features pure white walls and is nicknamed "Shirasagi Castle" for its graceful appearance resembling a white heron spreading its wings. It is also known as a famous cherry blossom viewing spot, with around 1,000 cherry trees blooming in spring surrounding the castle. The castle is lit up from sunset, allowing you to enjoy the fantastic beauty of the castle and cherry blossoms floating in the darkness. It gets crowded during the daytime, so it is recommended to visit in the morning or evening.

Arima Onsen, located in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, is the oldest hot spring in Japan, with a history of about 1,400 years since its opening. It is characterized by its brown "kinsen" (gold spring) and colorless, transparent "ginsen" (silver spring). The hot spring town is lined with many high-class inns, including the traditional Japanese inn "Kinzan," which was awarded a Michelin star for its cuisine, and the long-established hotel "Hyoei Koyokaku," which was founded 700 years ago. The most popular hot spring facility is "Taiko no Yu." There are 26 types of baths, including "Tenka no Yu," which blends gold and silver springs, and "Golden Steam Bath," which is themed on a golden teahouse, and other baths that will pique your curiosity. There are also public outdoor baths such as "Kin no Yu" and "Gin no Yu," which can be enjoyed on a day trip.

Awaji Island is the largest island in the Seto Inland Sea, located in the southern part of Hyogo Prefecture. It is said to be the first island born by the god who created Japan. The island is attractive for its nature and tradition, with attractions such as the whirlpools of the Naruto Strait and the Awaji Ningyo Za, where you can see the traditional culture of Awaji Ningyo Joruri. A recommended dish is shabu-shabu made with sea urchin, a specialty of Awaji Island. This exquisite dish is made with a rich soup based on raw sea urchin and skewers of sashimi of sea urchin and seafood. In addition, overlooking the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge, there is Iwaya Onsen, also known as the "hot spring of all diseases." Why not spend a luxurious moment while looking out over the Seto Inland Sea?

Osaka Castle was built in the late 16th century as Toyotomi Hideyoshi's residence. It was burned down in the Summer Siege of Osaka in 1615, but was rebuilt by the Tokugawa Shogunate. Inside the castle tower, decorated with glittering gold, is an eight-story museum. Documents relating to Osaka Castle and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, as well as a full-sized replica of a shachihoko (a traditional Japanese carved statue of a lion), are on display. From the corridor-style observation deck on the top floor, you can enjoy a 360-degree view of the Osaka cityscape. In winter, the castle tower is used as a screen for projection mapping, creating a vibrant light-filled spatial experience.

Abeno Harukas is the tallest skyscraper in Japan (300m) and is made up of the Kintetsu Department Store main store, an art museum, a hotel, and more. On the 16th floor, you can enjoy high-quality art at the Abeno Harukas Art Museum, which hosts a variety of events, including the experiential art event TeamLab. From the observation deck on the top floor, Harukas 300, you can get a panoramic view of the Akashi Kaikyo Bridge and Awaji Island. We also recommend the Observation Corridor, a 360° glass-walled floor that gives you the feeling of taking an aerial stroll over the city of Osaka.

This vast park includes the World Heritage sites of Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Todaiji Temple, and Kofukuji Temple, and is a unique "historical park" that is also popular as a place of relaxation for the people of Nara. The deer that live in the park are designated as a national natural monument. In the center of the park is the comprehensive facility "Yumekaze Hiroba," which contains 13 restaurants and souvenir shops related to Nara, and is a popular spot for tourists.

The entire mountain is registered as a World Heritage Site, "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range," and is known as Japan's best place to see cherry blossoms. There are various viewing areas, such as the Kami Senbon area and the Shimo Senbon area, where you can enjoy different views. The view from Hitome Senbon, where you can see a thousand cherry blossoms at a glance, is particularly spectacular. The best time to see the cherry blossoms is in Apr., and they are lit up during that period. You can take Japan's oldest ropeway, "Yoshino Ropeway," to the top of the mountain, and enjoy the spectacular view from inside the car.

A collective name for the mountains about 1,000 meters above sea level in Koyacho, Ito District, Wakayama Prefecture. It is the head temple of the Koyasan Shingon sect, which was established by Kobo Daishi Kukai as a place of training around 819 during the Heian period. Along with Mount Hiei, it is a sacred place in Japanese Buddhism. There are 117 temples on the mountain, including Kongobu-ji Temple, the head temple of the Koyasan Shingon sect. There are many things to see, but the central holy place of the Daishi faith, Okunoin, where Kobo Daishi's mausoleum is located, is a sacred place with about 200,000 gravestones and memorial services. The solemn atmosphere in harmony with nature is overwhelming. Among the many stone towers, there are gravestones of military commanders such as Akechi Mitsuhide and Takeda Shingen. Why not calm your mind and reflect on the eternal history of this sacred place where great people of the past rest?

Kumano Sanzan The pilgrimage route to (Kumano Hongu Taisha Shrine, Kumano Hayatama Taisha Shrine, Kumano Nachi Taisha Shrine) is called "Kumano Kodo". It was visited by emperors and aristocrats in the Heian period (794-1185) and eventually spread to the common people, and the procession of travelers was called "Ants' Kumano Pilgrimage". In 2004, the area was registered as a World Heritage site as "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range," and the tranquility of the area is attracting attention as a healing spot. Among them, Nachi Falls is one of the three most famous waterfalls in Japan and has the highest direct fall in Japan with a drop of 133 meters. At Tobitaki Shrine, a separate shrine of Kumano Nachi-taisha Shrine, located near the waterfall, the waterfall itself is enshrined as a god, and worshipping the waterfall is an act of worship. It is also said that touching the spray of the waterfall brings blessings for prolonging one's life. Even in winter, there is almost no snowfall, so the air is clear and beautiful scenery can be enjoyed.