UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kansai Region

Prefectures of Japan | Photo from wikipedia.org

The Kansai Region of Japan is comprised of seven prefectures (see purple area in map):

• Hyogo
• Kyoto
• Mie
• Nara
• Osaka
• Shiga
• Wakayama

These prefectures, except for Osaka, has at least one site inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Hyogo

• Himeji Castle

Kyoto

• Kamigamo Jinja
• Shimogamo Jinja
• Toji / Kyoo Gokokuji
• Kiyomizu-dera
• Daigoji
• Ninnaji
• Kozanji
• Saihoji / Koke-dera (Moss Temple)
• Tenryuji
• Rokuonji / Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion)
• Jishoji / Ginkakuji (Silver Pavilion)
• Ryoanji
• Nishi Honganji
• Nijo-jo (Nijo Castle)
• Byodo-in
• Ujigami Jinja

Mie

• Pilgrimage routes between Mie and Wakayama (Kumano Sankeimichi):
• Nakahechi
• Kohechi
• Ohechi
• Iseji

Nara

• Todaiji
• Kofukuji
• Kasuga Taisha and Kasugayama Primeval Forest
• Gangoji
• Yakushiji
• Toshodaiji
• Heijo Palace Site (Nara Palace Site)
• Horyuji
• Hokkiji
• Yoshinoyama
• Yoshino Mikumari Jinja
• Kimpu Jinja
• Kimpusenji
• Yoshimizu Jinja
• Ominesanji
• Pilgrimage route between Nara and Wakayama:
• Omine Okugakemichi

Shiga

• Enryakuji

Photo from www.nps.ed.jp

Wakayama

• Kumano Hongu Taisha
• Kumano Hayatama Taisha
• Kumano Nachi Taisha
• Seigantoji
• Nachi no Otaki
• Nachi Primeval Forest
• Fudarakusanji
• Niutsuhime Jinja
• Kongobuji
• Jison-in
• Niukanshofu Jinja
• Pilgrimage route: Koya Sankeimichi (Koyasan Choishi Michi)
• Pilgrimage route between Nara and Wakayama:
• Omine Okugakemichi
• Pilgrimage routes between Mie and Wakayama (Kumano Sankeimichi):
• Nakahechi
• Kohechi
• Ohechi
• Iseji

The nerd in me wishes to see all these sites (including all the others sites in other regions in Japan). Except the pilgrimage routes which I don't think my knees will be able to endure.

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Kansai Diaries (2016)
9D/9N | Nov 2016 | Wakayama, Nara, Kyoto, Osaka
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kansai Region (you're here!)
Osaka: Day 0: Arrival
Osaka Accommodations: Hotel Raizan, Hotel Mikado
Wakayama: Day 1: Going to, Sleeping in, and Eating in Koyasan
Wakayama: Day 1.5: West Side of Koya Town
Wakayama: Koyasan Sidewalk Shorts
Wakayama: Days 1.75~2: Okunoin, Three Times
Nara: Sleep, Eat, and Explore Nara City
Nara: Day 3: Horyuji, Hokkiji, and Some Japanecdotes in Ikaruga Town
Nara: Day 3.5: Yakushiji, Toshodaiji, and Heijo Palace Site in Nara City
Nara: Day 4: Early Morning at Nara Park
Nara: Day 4.25: Naramachi Walking Tour
Nara: Day 4.5: Todaiji, Yoshiki-en, and Kofukuji in Nara Park
Kyoto Accommodations: Guesthouse Wind Villa, Shiori Yado
Kyoto: Day 5: Rainy Day in Uji City
Kyoto: Day 5.5: Tofukuji, Kawai Jinja, Shimogamo Jinja
Kyoto: Day 6: Ginkakuji, Ryoanji, Ninnaji
Kyoto: Day 6.75: Gion Night Walking Tour
Kyoto: Day 7: All Day in Arashiyama
Kyoto: Day 8: Last Day in Kyoto
Osaka: Day 8.75: Dizzying Dotonbori
Osaka: Day 9: Osaka, Over and Out