Kansai

Kansai, also known as the Kansai region, is a geographical and cultural area on the western side of Honshu, Japan. It commonly comprises seven prefectures: Mie, Shiga, Kyoto, Osaka, Hyogo, Nara, and Wakayama, though some classifications exclude Mie when focusing on the Kyoto–Osaka–Kobe core. The region centers on the Kinai Plain, including Osaka Bay and the cities of Osaka, Kyoto, and Kobe, and is bordered by mountains to the north and west.

Historically, Kansai has been a political and cultural heart of Japan. Kyoto served as the imperial capital for more than a millennium, while Nara preceded it as the early capital. The area contains numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites, including temples, shrines, and traditional townscapes. Kansai is also known for its distinct dialect, Kansai-ben, and for the region's culinary traditions, such as takoyaki, okonomiyaki, and konnyaku dishes.

Economically, Kansai is a major urban and industrial region. Osaka functions as a commercial hub, Kobe as a port city, and Kyoto as a center of craft and high tech. The transport network is dense, with Shinkansen and conventional rail links, major airports including Kansai International Airport on an artificial island in Osaka Bay, and extensive road and port facilities.

Tourism, education, and culture remain strong, with famous landmarks such as Fushimi Inari-taisha, Kiyomizu-dera, Himeji Castle in Hyogo Prefecture, and the historic districts of Kyoto. The region is also noted for its festivals, theater traditions such as Bunraku, and a longstanding regional identity that contrasts with the Kanto region to the east.