Fasten your seatbelts and get ready for an exciting journey to some of Kansai, Japan’s underrated spots!
Kansai adventure: Uncovering the underrated spots
Japan is a popular travel destination known for its vibrant culture, breathtaking scenery, mouthwatering food, cutting-edge technology, and unique blend of modern and traditional elements.
Tokyo, the capital and largest city, stands out as one of the most visited spots. It serves as one of Japan’s 47 prefectures, encompassing numerous cities, towns, and villages west of the city core, along with its 23 central city wards.
If you are visiting Tokyo for the first time, do not miss iconic attractions like the Meiji Shrine and Tokyo Tower. Experience the vibrant nightlife of Roppongi and indulge in shopping at the renowned Ginza district.
However, I will not delve too deeply into Tokyo in this piece. Instead, I would like to invite readers to explore some of the underrated spots in the Kansai region. Kansai covers a large area in the centre of Honshu, Japan’s largest island, and includes major cities like Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Kobe.
According to Ida Yasmine Ahmad, a Sarawakian expatriate living in Japan, these places are popular among locals and residents, yet they are often overlooked by foreign visitors.
So, buckle up and get ready for an exciting journey to Kansai with Ida!
Rokko Island
During spring:
The small man-made island is adorned with tulips and sakura (cherry blossoms)! Occasionally, the public receives free tulip bulbs and flowers from the gardeners.
How to access: From Sannomiya station, take the Hanshin line to Uozaki station and transfer to the Rokko Liner. After alighting at Island Centre station, simply stroll around; the tulip gardens are easy to spot. The trip will cost you about ¥480.
After enjoying the tulip garden, continue walking a short distance to the harbourfront, where you can take in the breathtaking sunset view.
During summer:
Rokko Island is home to one of Kobe’s most exciting water parks — Dekapathos Water Park. It is only open from July to September, during the summertime. For the exact opening dates and admission prices, visit their website at https://www.dekapathos.com/.
How to access: Take the Rokko Liner line and alight at Marine Park station; the water park is right in front of the station.
If you are interested in arts and culture, check out the museums around the island. The Koiso Memorial Museum of Art, Kobe Fashion Museum, and Kobe Artist Museum are all conveniently located near the station. Admission prices vary depending on the current exhibition.
Shodoshima
If you are an avid fan of “Kiki’s Delivery Service”, Shodoshima is a must-visit when you are in Kansai. You can even live out your dream of flying like Kiki and Jiji by visiting the Olive Garden in Shodoshima, which is open to the public for free!
How to access: Take the Kobe ferry bus (¥210 one way) from Sannomiya station to Kobe Sannomiya ferry terminal. From there, board the Jumbo Ferry (¥1,990 one way) to Sakate Port. Buses at the port can take you around the island, so be sure to check the schedule.
According to Ida, while the island has other fascinating locations, she visited primarily because of Kiki and Jiji. She plans to explore the rest of Shodoshima on her next visit!
Ehime, Shikoku
Apart from inspiring the setting of the movie “Spirited Away”, Ehime is home to Japan’s oldest onsen, or hot spring, called Dogo Onsen.
This onsen has been visited by the Japanese imperial family and boasts a long and rich history in Japan’s onsen culture. During Ida’s visit last year, only a few amenities were operational due to ongoing renovations.
Despite this, the onsen’s captivating exterior exuded a distinct charm reminiscent of the Spirited Away spa. The experience was delightful and soothing. Depending on the package you choose, admission costs range from ¥460 to ¥2,050.
Ida noted that there are many interesting locations around the onsen within walking distance, such as the shopping street and garden. Here, you can discover local specialties like Matsuyama Taimeshi, Jakoten, and Ehime Tart, which the area is famous for.
Nearby, there are also public foot baths that are free to use. Before traveling to Japan, be sure to read up on the dos and don’ts of onsen and foot baths! The best time to visit is around fall or winter.
How to access: Take the Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka station to Okayama (45 minutes, ¥5,610 one way). From Okayama station, board the JR Limited Express to JR Matsuyama station (2 hours, 45 minutes, ¥7,350 one way). Then, take the tram from Matsuyama station to Dogo Onsen station (¥200), and Dogo Onsen is just a five-minute walk from the exit.
Arima Onsen
Arima is among Japan’s three oldest villages with hot springs. Ida mentioned that she found it challenging to include this charming, tiny village on her list because she would prefer to keep out tourists and crowds. For locals, Arima serves as a peaceful escape from hectic city life.
Located on the northern part of Rokko Mountain, behind Kobe city, Arima is renowned for its onsen, known for its “miraculous” therapeutic capabilities. You might wonder what makes Arima’s onsen special. Unlike many hot springs, Arima Onsen does not have a volcanic source for its spring water. Instead, the water emerges from cracks in the Earth’s mantle, making it unique and considered blessed by nature.
The water is categorised into two types: Kinsen (gold) and Ginsen (silver). Kinsen water is believed to have the most potent healing abilities and is further divided into two categories: radioactive and carbonated (which resembles soda or air lemenet).
There are many onsen locations to choose from, with packages starting at ¥2,000 for day use. Prices vary based on your preferred length of stay and onsen facilities.
If you are seeking a quiet vacation spot with a laid-back ambiance, Arima town is an excellent choice. The town is quite small, consisting mainly of residential areas and a small business district.
While it is especially breathtaking in winter, any time of year is suitable for a visit.
How to access: From Osaka station, you can take a bus directly to Arima Onsen town. If you are coming from Sannomiya JR, catch the Arima town bus at the Shinko bus stop. Since the stop is right outside the station, you cannot miss it. Bus fares range from ¥600 to ¥790 per passenger.
Awajishima
From Kobe city, it takes about an hour by bus to reach this charming island. Awajishima is famous for its onions and is also home to Godzilla Park and Naruto Park, offering plenty to see and do for every visitor!
Fun fact: The world’s longest suspension bridge, the Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge, connects Kobe with Awajishima. As you cross, you might spot the Naruto whirlpools — named after the natural phenomenon, not the anime character. Remember, you are not allowed to stop on the bridge, but there is a special viewing area for that purpose.
Nijigen no Mori Park is a major attraction on Awajishima. Here, you can zip-line right into Godzilla’s mouth and even participate in the Godzilla Interception Operation! For “Dragon Quest” fans, do not miss the chance to embark on a real-life adventure at Dragon Quest Village.
With so many anime characters around, this park is also perfect for younger kids. The highlight of Nijigen no Mori? Naruto and Boruto Shinobizato, of course! It feels like stepping into a dream with the Hikage villages and all the beloved manga characters.
Do not forget to add Awajishima to your bucket list for your next trip!
How to access: At the Sannomiya Shinji bus stop, located outside Sannomiya JR station, board the bus to Awajishima from Kobe. The fare ranges from ¥1,880 to ¥2,350 one-way per person, depending on the bus you choose. The journey takes about 85 minutes. When you arrive at Awajishima, be sure to check which stop you would like to disembark.
