Kansai By Rail
Located to the southwestern part of central Honshu, the Kansai Region is home to the major cities of Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara, and formerly the political and cultural center of Japan. Today, it's a varied and culturally rich area with a huge amount to offer - from historic districts and stately temples to spectacular natural scenery - and a hugely popular destination for visitors, both domestic and international.
While its cities draw the lion's share of tourists, the region is also packed with exciting side-trip destinations, from bustling urban centers to remote temple communities. Fortunately for travelers, it's also an easy area to explore thanks to an expansive railway system, providing fast and convenient transport between the cities and deep into the surrounding countryside.
In this section, we'll introduce three of the region's major rail networks together with a series of suggested side trips - each including unique destinations and activities based around one of three major rail networks: Nankai Railway, Kintetsu Railway, and Keihan Railway.
You can also find information about three of the Kansai Region's most sacred mountains, each of which can be easily reached from central Osaka or Kyoto by train: Hieizan, home to the ancient temple complex of Enryakuji overlooking Kyoto from the north, the secluded monastic community of Koyasan in Wakayama Prefecture, and Yoshinoyama in Nara Prefecture, known for centuries as Japan's premier cherry blossom viewing spot.
