Kansai (Kinki) 関西 (近畿)
The Kansai region, also referred to as Kinki, make up 11% of Japan's land area, and is composed of the prefectures of Hyogo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Wakayama, Mie and Shiga. 24 million Japanese live in Kansai, i.e. about one fifth of the country's population.
The Kinki region lies at the historical heart of the Japanese civilization (note that "Kinki" means "near the capital").
History
It is in the plains of Yamato (大和) in modern Nara prefecture that Japan first came to be unified as a country. From the 3rd century AD, the Yamato people, originally from Korea, progressively subdued all other peoples (some of whom were Ainu and Malayo-Polynesian), and the name Yamato became associated with the whole of Japan.
In 710, Nara, then called Heijo-kyo (平城京 or "peace castle capital"), became the first permanent capital of Japan. In 794, the capital moved to present-day Kyoto, then known as Heian-kyo (平安京 or "peaceful capital"). The name "Kyoto" (literally "capital city") appeared around 1185, when the first shogunate established itself at Kamakura.
It is also in Kansai that Japan's holiest Shinto shrine, Ise Jingu, is located since ancient times.
Osaka acted as Kyoto's port and commercial hub during most of the country's history. Osaka had long been the economic centre of Japan before Edo (now Tokyo) overtook it in the 18th century.
Sightseeing
It is no wonder that with its rich history the Kansai should be the number one touristic destination in Japan. Most of Japan's World Heritage Sites are to be found around Kyoto and Nara.
Himeji Castle, Japan's most outstanding castle, is in Hyogo prefecture. one hour from the international and cosmopolitan port of Kobe.
Osaka is Japan's second largest city and is famous among Japanese for its local dialect, often simply called "Kansai dialect" (although Kyoto's is noticeable different). Osaka is a bustling city famous for its business-minded people and okonomiyaki restaurants.
Ise Jingu, in Mie prefecture, is isolated enough to put off quite a few tourists, but is worth the detour if you are interested in Japan's religious heritage, as it is the only shrine dedicated to Sun goddess Amaterasu. The sanctuary in the middle of the woods is still considered sacred, as all Japanese emperors (including the current one) are said to receive their power from their mythological ancestor, Sun goddess Amaterasu.
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