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This newsletter introduces various tourist attractions in the Kansai region of
Contents:
1. Information on the "Thank you from Kansai Campaign," designed to reinvigorate interest among people from overseas countries in visiting
2. Kansai's sightseeing spots recommended by foreigners living in Kansai: Introduction to Kumano Kodo (ancient pilgrimage routes) in
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1. Information on "Thank you from Kansai Campaign," designed to reinvigorate interest among people from overseas countries in visiting
Local governments, business circles and tourism-related businesses in Kansai have jointly conducted the "Thank you from Kansai Campaign" in order to reinvigorate interest among people from overseas countries in visiting
This campaign is intended to show our gratitude for the warm support of people from around the world, including our neighboring countries such as
Specifically, visitors to Kansai from overseas countries will be greeted with more welcoming services than ever, including a discount on admission fees for various facilities, shopping and dining, and will be presented with souvenirs from shops, restaurants and cafes.
With as many as 53 facilities and companies participating in this campaign at this point, we will call for further participation in many areas and improve the contents of the campaign.
Posters, leaflets and web pages will be created in four languages -- English, Korean, Traditional Chinese and Simplified Chinese -- to advertise this campaign. The campaign will also be announced overseas in cooperation with various industries.
Through this opportunity, we wish to welcome more visitors to Kansai, so that these visitors can feel our hospitality altogether with our deep gratitude and can actually experience the safety, security and energy of Kansai. We would like to use this opportunity to further reinvigorate interest among people from overseas countries in visiting
For details of the campaign, please see below.
1. Name: Thank you from Kansai Campaign
2. Joint sponsorship with: Kansai Economic Federation, Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Sakai Chamber of commerce and industry, Kansai International Airport Co., Ltd., Association to Promote the Kansai International Airport Overall Plan
3. Support from: Kansai Association of Corporate Executives
4. Cooperation with: Osaka City, Sakai City, Osaka Convention & Tourism Bureau, Sakai Tourism & Convention Bureau, Organization of Kansai Unity
5. Period: July 10 -
6. Details: Providing visitors from overseas countries with a discount on admission and/or usage fees of various facilities and presenting original goods to these visitors. (Visitors will be required to show their passports.)
7. Participating facilities: 53 (as of July 1)
Web page address: http://www.kansai-thankyou.com
9. For inquiries, please contact Mr. Matsumoto at matsumoto@kiac.co.jp in Kansai International Airport Co., Ltd.
2. Kansai's sightseeing spots recommended by foreigners living in Kansai: Introduction to Kumano Kodo (ancient pilgrimage routes) in
☆ Kansai's sightseeing spots recommended by foreigners living in Kansai
Sightseeing spots introduced in this issue are recommended by Brad Towle, the International Tourism and Promotion Director for the Tanabe City Kumano Tourism Bureau in Wakayama Prefecture. Originally from Canada, Brad has been living and working in the area for over 10 years.
◇ Ancient Kumano Region
Kumano is an ancient name for the southern portion of the Kii Peninsula. It is a mountainous region with a rugged coastline, crisscrossed with historic pilgrimage routes and sacred sites. Soothing, isolated hot springs are scattered throughout this beautiful area. Blessed with verdant natural surroundings, the authentic cuisine is a delicious mix of local ingredients from the mountains, rivers and ocean. For visitors looking for a cultural, experiential based trip, Kumano is the perfect destination.
http://www.tb-kumano.jp/en/index.html （English）
◇Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Routes
For over 1000 years people from all levels of society, including retired emperors and aristocrats, have made the arduous pilgrimage to Kumano. These pilgrims used a network of routes, now called the Kumano Kodo, which stretched across the mountainous Kii Peninsula.
The walk itself was an integral part of the pilgrimage process as they undertook rigorous religious rites of worship and purification. Walking the ancient Kumano Kodo is a fantastic way to experience the unique cultural landscape of Kumano's spiritual countryside.
In July 2004, the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage routes were registered as UNESCO World Heritage as part of the "Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range" property.
http://www.tb-kumano.jp/en/kumano-kodo/index.html （English）
◇ Kumano Sanzan Shrines
Kumano Sanzan is a term referring to a set of three Grand Shrines located in the southeastern part of the Kii Mountain Range: Kumano Hongu Taisha, Kumano Hayatama Taisha and Kumano Nachi Taisha. Originally, each of these three Grand Shrines had their own distinctive form of nature worship; later in the 10th century, they started to give worship to all of the three guardian deities at the same time under the influence of Buddhism.
The trine deities of the Kumano Sanzan became a unique mixture of Shinto and Buddhism and were considered to be the strongest in Japan. In the 11th century these Grand Shrines became a pilgrimage destination for the imperial family and aristocrats. By the late 15th century, the majority of pilgrims to Kumano were commoners. There were so many people visiting this area that it was referred to as "ant processions". From prehistoric times until the present, the Kumano area was, and still is, considered a place of healing; a sacred, mystical abode of the gods.
http://www.tb-kumano.jp/en/world-heritage/kumano_sanzan.html (English)
◇ Yunomine Onsen
Yunomine is a quaint little collection of inns tucked into a small valley deep in the heart of the sacred mountains of Kumano. The waters here are said to change color seven times over the course of a day. Yunomine Onsen was discovered about 1,800 years ago, and it is thought to be one of the oldest hot springs in Japan.
Yunomine Onsen is an integral part of the over 1000 year old Kumano pilgrimage tradition. Pilgrims performed hot water purification rituals in these piping hot mineral waters after their long journey in preparation to worship at Kumano Hongu Taisha.
http://www.tb-kumano.jp/en/onsen/yunomine.html （English）
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◆ Recommended accommodation : One of the numerous friendly Minshuku guesthouses
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There are many friendly Minshuku guesthouses in the Yunomine village, each with their own hot spring baths. Enjoying the relaxed, family-like atmosphere is a highlight of a stay in one of these amicable accommodations. There is more information available on the local Kumano Travel reservation site.
http://www.kumano-travel.com/index.php?lang=en （English）
◇ Kawayu Onsen
On a tributary of the Kumano River, the Oto River, one can dig their own hot spring bath in the soft gravel bed of the river; this is the very famous and unusual hot spring of Kawayu Hot Spring. In the summer you can enjoy playing in the pure flowing river, and in the winter (November to February), one section of the river is partitioned to make a gigantic outdoor bath. It is 40 meters long and is 15 meters across at its widest section and 60 centimeters deep. It is called "Sennin buro" implying that "One thousand people" can easily be accommodated at one time. It is fun to go with a large group of people.
http://www.tb-kumano.jp/en/onsen/kawayu.html （English）
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◆ Recommended accommodation : Fujiya Ryokan
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Fujiya Ryokan is one of the largest accommodations in Kawayu Onsen and is located at the east end of the village. All but three of the rooms are traditional Japanese style. The other three are modern western theme rooms based on earth, bamboo and wood respectively, all with private baths on the balcony. All rooms have a view of the Oto River which flows through the village. The décor is traditional Japanese with Ikebana and other art throughout the facility. Hot spring water bubbles to the river surface in front of the hotel.
http://www.kumano-travel.com/index.php?action_ContentsDetail_Detail=true&id=41 （English）
◇ Ryujin Onsen
Ryujin Onsen is situated in the flowing waters of the Hidaka River, where the fragrance of the surrounding woods and the murmuring of the river can be heard in a natural setting.
In ancient times, this place was discovered by a founder of ascetic Buddhism, Shugendo's Ennogyoja. This hot spring has had a prestigious history from the time it was opened when Kobo Daishi had a divine revelation about it in his dream of a god of the sea, Nada-ryu-o. In the Edo era, it was used as a resort area for the Tokugawa ruling family, and the famous hot springs are overflowing with history. At present there are still Japanese inns with names such as "Kami-goden" (Royal Palace), and "Shimo-goden" (Lower Lodgings), and these names still remain as a reminder of the old feudal system.
Ryujin's high quality hot spring waters are clear with a high quantity of sodium bicarbonate and is considered to be the best in Japan. The smooth and silky waters are well known for making skin beautiful and is one of Japan's three famous Bijin-no-yu or "Beautifying Hot Springs."
http://www.tb-kumano.jp/en/onsen/ryujin.html （English）
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◆ Recommended accommodation : Kamigoten Ryokan
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Kamigoten Ryokan is a traditional Japanese Inn with 100s of years of history located in the isolated Ryujin Onsen hot spring village. It was built in 1657 for Yorinobu Tokugawa, the feudal lord of Kinokuni as a site for bathing and relaxing. The main structure was designated in 1999 as a tangible cultural asset and precious cultural heritage. The Onarino-ma (the room built for the ruler) is where the feudal lord used to stay, and is decorated with beautiful antique art. There is a private outdoor bath overlooking the Hiki-gawa River. The silky smooth hot spring water is famous for its beautifying properties. The Ryujin family has been running this inn for 29 generations, and they pride themselves on serving delicious meals made with the best ingredients from the surrounding mountains.
http://www.kumano-travel.com/index.php?action_ContentsDetail_Detail=true&id=43 （English）
◇ Izakaya Restaurant Experience
The entertainment area in front of the JR Kii-Tanabe station is called "Ajikoji" and is packed with over 200 restaurants and Japanese style pubs (Izakaya) . It is considered to be the most concentrated of its kind for a city of this size in the entire country of Japan. Every alley is full of quaint places to eat and drink. The Tanabe City Gourmet Map features 29 of these establishments including 26 with English menus.
Tanabe is a safe place for non-Japanese speakers to fully experience delicious local cuisine in an authentic environment. Unlike most tourist areas, Tanabe's restaurants are geared toward locals, so the food is always fresh and cheap. The fish market even takes place at 3 pm, instead of the morning, so the seafood is world class. Enjoy!
http://www.tb-kumano.jp/en/dining/gourmet-map.html （English）
◇ Kumano Travel - Local Reservation Site
Opened on November 1, 2010, Kumano Travel is the official travel company of the Tanabe City/Kumano Region. It is a local, community-based initiative created to supply visitors with quality information, services, and products so they can fully experience travelling in the area.
New accommodations and services are continually being updated, so if you have any questions or need some help creating an itinerary for your visit, please contact them directly for more information. This is an excellent service to help with organizing a trip to the area.
http://www.kumano-travel.com/index.php?lang=en （English）
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Issued by: The Organization of Kansai Unity
Address: 11F,
Website: http://www.kansai-japan.net/en/
E-mail for inquiries: info@kansai-japan.net
(To change your registered information or to cancel your subscription, click here) → kawabata@kansai.gr.jp
¨ What's Kansai?
The Kansai region comprises 10 prefectures:
http://www.kansai.gr.jp/e/place/index.html
¨ What's Kansai Unity?
The Organization of Kansai Unity was established on
http://www.kansai.gr.jp/ku/english/pdf/english.pdf
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