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The Flower
of Japan
of Japan
Discover nature’s wonders and experience local lifestyles in Kansai, the cultural and spiritual capital of Japan
From the seats of ancient emperors, to the grounding of the Buddhist and Shinto traditions that underpin much of the country’s culture, the Kansai region is heavily woven with stories, treasures, and revelations.
Home to Japan’s earliest legendary and historical capitals, as well as mythical origin deities, Kansai has a deep connection to the country’s history, and a strong and abiding connection with nature.
The region has played a critical role in the country’s development for millennia, and today, it is a leading center for Japan’s culture, commerce, and cuisine.
For centuries pilgrims have traversed the mountains on a soul journey. Seafarers have trawled the waterways, searching for new vistas and trading partners, and cultural touchstones, like tea drinking, have taken root and flourished. Each passing year has molded Kansai into a captivating destination for those looking to explore the beauty of rural Japan while engaging with the country’s cultural legacy.
Green
Japan
Japan developed its own Sustainable Tourism Standards for Destinations (JSTS-D) in 2019 to help measure and mature sustainable tourism practices across the country.
By 2021 the JSTS-D was accredited by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, highlighting the country’s commitment to improving sustainable practices, and a number of destinations have since made it onto the Green Destinations Top 100 Stories 2022.
With its excellent transportation infrastructure and variety of experiences available within a compact geographic area, Kansai is a great destination for those looking to engage in meaningful and sustainable travel practices. Japan’s incredible public transport network lends itself to a greener way to travel, but ecotourism in Kansai extends beyond carbon footprint into supporting local communities and growing awareness to protect culture and traditions.
Travel
Kansai
Whether experiencing the traditional way of life with a local guide or exploring nature and learning how communities have long co-existed harmoniously with the environment, Kansai offers travelers to the region the opportunity to connect on a deeper level with the destination.
Journey of a
Lifetime
From hiking and cycling to exploring hidden valleys and cultural cornerstones, Kansai’s captivating ecotourism options are steeped in the region’s lore and legend. Buffered by alluring nature, some unchanged for millennia, travelers will come away with a more profound understanding of Kansai and of Japan, forming intimate relationships with not only people, but history, places, and culture to create memories that will last a lifetime.
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