The Kansai region, also known as the Kinki (近畿) region or the Kinai (畿内) region, is the second-most visited region in Japan after the Kanto (関東, Kantō) region, and is home to the Keihanshin (京阪神) metropolitan area. The region features its own dialect, Kansai-ben (関西弁), which can sound completely different from regular Japanese.
The central portion hosts Osaka Prefecture (大阪府, Ōsaka-fu), Kyoto Prefecture (京都府, Kyōto-fu), and Nara Prefecture (奈良県, Nara-ken). Osaka Prefecture is home to the bustling city of Osaka (大阪, Ōsaka), often thought of as Japan's second capital and is popular for its street food and nightlife. Kyoto Prefecture hosts Kyoto (京都, Kyōto), the former Japanese capital with its traditional machiya (町家, Traditional wooden townhouse)-lined streets, Uji, famous for its matcha (抹茶, Maccha, Powdered Green Tea), and Amanohashidate, one of the Japan's Three Great Views. Nara Prefecture, is where the ancient Japanese capital city of Nara, with its ancient temples and famous for its wild shika (鹿, Deer).
The western portion, Hyogo Prefecture (兵庫県, Hyōgo-ken) plays home to Kobe (神戸, Kōbe), famous for Kobe Beef (神戸牛, Kōbe-gyū), Himeji (姫路), famous for Himeji Castle (姫路城, Himeji-jō), and Kinosaki Onsen (城崎温泉), one of the most popular onsen (温泉, Hot Spring) towns in Kansai.
The eastern portion is home to Mie Prefecture (三重県, Mie-ken) and Shiga Prefecture (滋賀県, Shiga-ken). Mie Prefecture is famous for the Ise Grand Shrine, the coastal views of Shima, and the Iga, home of the ninja (忍者). Shiga Prefecture is famous for Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan, as well as the samurai (侍) town of Omi-Hachiman.
The southern portion hosts Wakayama Prefecture (和歌山県, Wakayama-ken), home to the Kumano Kodo, one of only two UNESCO World Heritage Pilgrimage Routes in the world, and the Kumano Sanzan, three picturesque shrines (神社, Jinja) including one at the base of a waterfall.
