Best Visiting around Kansai Spot List

Located just north of Hokke-do in the Todai-ji Temple complex, Nigatsu-do is known as a place where Shuni-e (Omizu-tori or Sacred Water-drawing Festival) takes place every March. Nigatsu-do was named so since Shuni-e was held in February (nigatsu in Japanese) in the old calendar. Fire destroyed it in 1667, but two years later the current building was reconstructed exactly as it was before the fire. The building's design features a cascading style of architecture, and provides a commanding view of the roof of the Great Buddha Hall and Nara city. The principal image is the Juichimen Kannon, which is never shown to the public.

During the Nara Period, the guardian deity of the hiike (pond where ice used in the Imperial court was made) and the himuro (storeroom for ice), which were built in the Kasugano field beside Yoshiki-gawa River, was enshrined in the shrine. It was later moved to the current location. On May 1 every year, a festival called Kenpyosai takes place in which workers at companies that make and sell ice pray for success in business. The current shrine pavilion is said to have been reconstructed in the Edo Period. Also, the weeping cherry trees in the shrine grounds are very beautiful.

This is the home theater of the Takarazuka Revue, which enthralls its audiences with fantastic stage performances. These spectacular theatrical plays and shows are conducted in turn by one of the five troupes: Flower, Moon, Snow, Star, and Cosmos; each troupe has a top star called otoko yaku (a male role). The plays performed range widely from original plays to overseas musicals to revues. This grand theater is exclusive to the Takarazuka Revue and comes with a history stretching back over 100 years. The live orchestra accompanying performances is one of the big attractions of these shows in the grand theater.

Built in 1933, this large museum is the second old municipal art museum in Japan. The collection extends to about 3,300 pieces centered on Kyoto artists from the modern to contemporary period. The museum holds art exhibitions such as Nitten (the largest competition art exhibition in Japan) as well as events organized by fine art associations.

This attraction introduces the culture and history of Austria, with a central emphasis on Mozart. You'll see valuable items on display, such as a replica of the piano that Mozart used for composing, and a music score written in his original handwriting. On the terrace you can enjoy the imperial torte set (1,350 JPY), which is imported directly from Vienna, as well as Austrian beer and wine.

Located right in the heart of America Mura is Mitsu Park. Commonly known as Sankaku Park (triangle park) because of its shape, this spot is a magnet for young people all day long and doubles as a convenient meeting place.

Mt. Koya is a sacred mountaintop site founded by Kobo-Daishi Kukai in 816, and Okuno-in, which holds the Gobyo (mausoleum) of Kukai is the holiest place on the mountain. Surrounded by thick cedar trees, the approach stretches about two kilometers from Ichinohashi (Obashi) to Torodo and Gobyo, lined with about 200,000 graves and memorial towers including those of historical figures such as Sengoku Daimyo (feudal lords). Crossing Gobyobashi Bridge over the Tama-gawa River leads to the Gobyo of Kukai, who died in 835, and Torodo. In Torodo, you'll encounter a sacred lantern called Hinnyo no Itto or Choja no Mando (Shirakawatou) as well as another 20,000 votive lanterns glowing together to create a fantastic spectacle.

Shaped like the fugure eight, this loop bridge connects Kinsei-dai (Venus Lookout) in Suwayama Park and the mountaintop observatory square called Venus Terrace. This winding bridge, thrusting out toward urban Kobe, offers you a magical night view right before your eyes. Lights of ships and planes arriving and taking off from Kobe Airport resemble shooting stars. The Futatabisan Driveway leading to Venus Bridge is closed to vehicles from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. (closed to two-wheel vehicles all day).