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KANSAI TRAVEL LIST

A list of places in Kansai I want to visit (and have visited if highlighted). 

※​Mostly places, but also includes events. [these brackets] = ultimate season to visit
Highlights: fully explored, been there; top choice; recommend, don't recommend



Nara

KS1.   Todai-ji (東大寺) giant halls surrounding a golden buddha

KS2.  Isuien (依水園) famous gardens near #1

‌KS3.  Yoshinoyama (吉野山) sakura spot; Yoshimizu Shrine at the top

KS4.  Kimpusen-ji (金峯山寺) near #3

KS5.  Nara Park (奈良公園) deer heaven
KS6.  Kasuga Taisha (春日大社)

‌KS7.  Heijo Palace ruins (平城宮跡)
KS8.  Shin-yakushiji (新薬師寺) humble temple with beautiful statues

KS9.  Kasugayama Genshirin (春日山原始林) deer-infused primeval forest

KS10. Kofukuji Temple (興福寺)

KS11.  Tanzan Shrine in Sakurai [autumn] (談山神社・桜井) amazing shrine surrounded by nature

KS12. Hasedera Temple in Sakurai (長谷寺・桜井) large temple complex in the mountains

KS13. Omizutori [beginning of March] (お水取り) festival that looks like a cult; takes place in #1

‌KS14. Yamanobe no Michi (山野辺の道) peaceful pilgrimage route

KS15. Matsuo Shrine in Yamatokoori (松尾寺・大和郡山市)

KS16. Murou-ji Temple in Uda (室生寺・宇陀) hidden in the forest near the serene town of Uda

‌KS17. Fujiwara Palace ruins in Kashihara (藤原京跡とその秋桜畑) history + enchanting fields of cosmos
‌KS96. Asuka-mura 

(明日香村) the early age Japan was ruled here; also, bamboo forests
KS99. Wakakusa yamayaki [end of January] (若草山焼き) setting a mountain on fire... golly!

KS100. Tenri (天理市) impressive town, built around the largest(?) temple in Japan

Uji

KS18.  Byodoin Temple (平等院) the temple of equality
KS19.  Uji Bridge (宇治橋) on the Uji River; statue of Murasaki Shikibu right beside it
KS20. Tale of Genji Museum near #19
KS21.   Itohkyuemon (伊藤久右衛門) the best green tea shop in the world?
KS22. Cormorant fishing (鵜飼) activity popular in Uji (and also Gifu)


Hyogo/Kobe

KS23. Kobe City Hall (神戸市役所) in the very center of Sannomiya

KS24. Maiko Marine Promenade (舞子海上プロムナード) cross the Akashi-Kaikyo bridge on foot

KS25. Mount Rokko [sunset-night] (六甲山) has a lot of stuff, but I'm in for the Ten Million Dollar View
KS26. Rokko International Musical Box Museum (六甲オルゴールミュージアム)
KS27. Oji Zoo (王子動物園) has a giant panda
KS28. Takenaka Carpentry Museum (竹中大工道具館)
KS29. Meriken Park (メリケンパーク) why "Meriken" though?
KS30. Kobe Harborland (神戸ハーバーランド) the area near #29
KS31.  Matsuoinari Shrine (松尾稲荷神社) a lot of hanging lanterns
KS32. Mt. Maya (摩耶山)

KS33. Shukugawa Park (夙川公園) sakura spot in Nishinomiya

KS34. Himeji Castle (姫路城)

KS35. Minatogawa Shrine (湊川神社)

KS36. Happiness Village (しあわせの村)

KS37. Ikuta Shrine (生田神社)​

KS38. Suwa Shrine in Kobe (諏訪神社・神戸)​​

KS39. Nagata Shrine (長田神社)​​

KS40. Arima Onsen (有馬温泉) hot springs​​​

KS41.  Hakutsuru Sake Brewery (白鶴酒造資料館)​​ famous in Kansai

KS42. Kitano District (北野異人館) cool foreigners lived here​​​; also leads to Kitano Tenman Shrine (北野天満神社)

KS43. Kobe Municipal Arboretum [autumn] (神戸市立森林植物園)

KS44. Togagawa [spring] (都賀川の桜)​​ sakura spot

KS45. Kobe University (神戸大学)​​ university on the hillside; actually also a sakura spot​

KS46. Suma Beach (須磨浜)
​​

Wakayama

‌KS98. Kumano Nachi Taisha (熊野那智大社) the central shrine for pilgrimages in Wakayama; gorgeous waterfall beneath it

Shiga

KS90. Hikone Castle (彦根城)

KS91.  Enryaku-ji (延暦寺)

KS92. Sekizan-zen'in (赤山禅院)

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