関西の観光スポット

酒や米の神が祀られている伏見稲荷大社は、日本で一番古い神社の一つとして有名です。参道にある1万本以上の赤い鳥居のトンネルは稲荷山に続き、その景色は壮観です。5つの神社が森に点在し、神道のシンボルである神使の狐の石像がたくさん見かけられます。 稲荷山の美しい山道が続く伏見稲荷は、散策するには最適の場所です。参道に並ぶ美しい鳥居を上がっていくと京都の街並みが見渡せ、頂上から見る京都の街は絶景です。参道の途中にある茶屋で、美味しいきつねうどんを食べてみてはどうでしょう。

金閣寺は、京都を代表する観光名所となっています。 この金色に輝くお寺は、内外に金箔を貼った3層の楼閣建築で、1397年に建立されました。1950年に焼失してしまいますが、1955年に再建され、創建当時の壮麗な姿が蘇りました。 金閣寺は、庭園式の鏡湖池池畔に建っています。池に映し出される金閣寺の美しい光景は「逆さ金閣」と呼ばれ、京都のシンボルとなっており、写真家などにも愛されています。 浄土庭園の形式が取り入れられ九山八海を表す大小様々な島が浮かんでいる鏡湖池は、貴族が舟遊びを楽しんだと言われています。

清水寺は798年に創建された長い歴史を持つ寺院で、何世紀にも渡り寺院建築に影響を与えてきました。古都京都の文化財としてユネスコ世界遺産に登録されています。 本堂にある有名な「清水の舞台」からは、境内にある庭園や神社はもちろん、京都市内の素晴らしい景色が見渡せます。 清水寺の本堂までは急な傾斜の階段が続きますが、境内には休憩できる茶屋やレストランがあります。自分のペースで日本が誇る世界遺産の清水寺をゆっくり楽しみましょう。

The refined traditional arts of Japan are highlighted for visitors at Gion Corner, an entertaining and informative nightspot. From tea ceremony to the twang of the Koto, Ikebana floral arranging to puppet plays, Gion Corner dramatizes and explains the ins and outs of the esoteric world of Japanese traditions. There are two performances each evening, plus an on-site photo gallery and the opportunity to experience tea house hospitality at a traditional Kyoto banquet, hosted by geisha.

Built in 1164, Sanjusangendo Temple impresses in scope, size, and detail, with 1001 statues of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, flanking the main image of a giant, seated Kannon. Carved in the 12th and 13th centuries, the statues are arranged in 50 columns, each two rows deep. It's said that the Kannon witness and protect against human suffering. To aid in their mission, the Kannon are equipped with 11 heads and 1,000 arms. "Sanjusangendo" translates to hall with thirty three spaces between the columns," describing a traditional measurement system. The wooden temple building extends 118 meters (387 feet), making it the longest of its kind in the world. Originally built for former emperor Go-Shirakawa, the Temple today remains a religious destination and popular tourist stop. It represents some of the most exquisite Japanese Buddhist sculpture and architecture in the country.

奈良の鹿公園は、日本の歴史や文化の中心である古都奈良に位置します。奈良には有名な東大寺、春日大社などの由緒正しき寺院も佇みます。また奈良国立博物館もあり、鹿公園に続く有名な場所となっています。大阪と京都からも近く、日本を代表する観光地です。 502ヘクタールの大きさを持つ公園内には、世界に誇る社寺仏閣や歴史的建造物が建っており、その中に、国の天然記念物に指定されている野生の鹿が約1,200頭も住んでいます。春日大社が祀る「武甕槌命（タケミカヅチノカミ）」が白鹿に乗ってやってきたことから、ここでは鹿が神使とされ、生息するようになりました。店先では鹿せんべいが購入できますが、そのせんべいほしさに人懐っこい鹿達がたくさん近寄ってきます。

世界遺産・二条城は初代徳川将軍の正式な宿所として1603年に完成したお城です。堀や壁、秘密の通り道などによって堅固に要塞化されたお城は、将軍の力を見せつけ、周囲を脅かす存在でした。 正門である東大手門をくぐると、その中には二の丸御殿と本丸御殿の二つのお城があります。 二の丸御殿は芸術品の宝庫。見事な絵画が施された襖や壁や金箔の天井など見どころが満載です。歩くと音が鳴る床「うぐいす張りの床」は外部侵入者の危険を探知する為に設けられたとされています。

京都御所にはもうすでに皇族は住んでいませんが、まだ美しい施設が現存されています。御所を囲む清楚な京都御縁は京都の憩いの場として有名です。 1868年東京奠都で天皇は東京の皇居に移りましたが、天皇は京都の皇居（京都御所）の保存・旧観維持を指示しました。京都御所の参観は、予約不要の春秋の特別公開と、事前の予約が必要な一般公開があり、宮内庁で予約ができます。御所の中でも、即位の礼や節会が行われた紫宸殿、天皇の住まいであった清涼殿、御進講や和歌の会に使用された御学問所、セレモニーが行われた春興殿などは有名です。 京都御苑はたくさんの樹木がや花が生育しており、緑に溢れています。池にはコイが泳ぎ、桜の花見も有名で京都の風情を感じながらゆったりとくつろげる公園です。

The most famous entertainment neighborhood in Osaka, Dotonbori (also called Dotombori) boasts a rich history, an exciting nightlife, and cultural gems. Situated along the Dotomborigawa River, Dotonbori stretches down a single street in in the city’s Minami area. Formerly a pleasure district, geishas once flocked to Dotonbori as the go-to place to entertain their customers. Today remnants of that lively history can be felt and seen in the numerous small restaurants and bars that dot the river. In fact, Dotonbori is Osaka’s best neighborhood for both domestic and foreign food. In addition to drinking and dining, Dotonbori has excellent shopping. At night, Dotonbori comes to life with hundreds of neon lights. The most iconic images of the neighborhood are the larger-than-life neon “Guriko” sign – an image of a running man – and the Kani Doraku crab sign, an advertisement for a popular restaurant that features a moving crab.

Just because it is a museum does not mean that the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum is not functional. This operational sake brewery introduces visitors to the history and technical components of sake brewing. Located in the heart of an old sake brewing district, many of the buildings and breweries have been standing since the Edo era. Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum itself was founded in 1637, making it one of the region’s oldest breweries. The charm of this Museum is its attention to detail. The brewery is in an old-fashioned, traditional sake house. Japanese songs about sake and sake brewing play throughout the museum. One of the main displays features over 6,000 brewing tools, considered by many to be cultural relics. Of course, the highlight of the tour is the sake tasting itself, where some of the area’s best is on display.

Ranked number one of Kyoto's five great temples, Tenryu-ji celebrates a history dating back to 1339 and stands in dedication and memory to an ancient emperor. Many of the temple buildings have been destroyed over the centuries, but the temple's landscape garden remains much the same today as it did in the 14th century. The garden boasts a clever and unique design that marries imperial taste with zen aesthetics. Lush foliage lines a shimmering pond, and as visitors walk from one end of the pond to the other, it appears as though the seasons change in front of their eyes. Intricate stonework on one hill represents a mountain stream cascading into the pond, while in another area stones appear to be carp fish. Visitors seek out the garden to be transported to another time.

大阪城は、16世紀に築かれた城で、太閤・豊臣秀吉の居城および豊臣政権の本拠地でありました。武将にとって城とは力を誇示するものといわれており、1583年に築城したこのお城は、戦国時代の豊臣秀吉の権威の象徴となりました。望楼型5重8階の大阪城は、5層に重ねた屋根には千鳥破風が並び、金箔で虎の飾りをほどこした黒漆喰の壁、軒に連なる金箔瓦などがある圧倒的な建築物でした。1596年ごろに完成したこの城は、城下町ごと塀で囲んだ大きさは、当時世界最大の規模だったといわれています。大手門や桜門などを含む13棟が重要文化財となっています。 世界第二次大戦では、軍の中枢機関や軍事工場があった大阪城も標的となり大部分が損傷しました。1995年から1997年に平成の大修復が行われ豊臣時代のお城が蘇りました。現大阪城内は、博物館も設置され大阪城の歴史が学べます。

Often mistaken for the Arashiyama district of Kyoto, Sagano expands north of the Togetsukyo Bridge in Kyoto. The tranquil area encompasses some of Kyoto’s most stunning landscapes. With rural residential areas, mountains dotting the horizon, fields ablaze with color and a famous bamboo forest, Sagano may just be one of Japan’s prettiest (and lesser known) spots. By far, Sagano is best known for its bamboo groves. Walking trails wind through the forest, with thin, tall bamboos lining either side. Sun light filters through the narrow trunks, casting shadows along the path. Beyond the grove, one of the best ways to experience Sagano is on bicycle. In addition to the bamboo groves, there are numerous temples to explore, as well as the river and the well-traveled bridge. This idyllic nook on the outskirts of Kyoto should not be missed.

Theme park rides and shows come together in Osaka at Universal Studios Japan®. Like its sister parks in the U.S., the movie theme park provides fun for the whole family! Snoopy, Hello Kitty, Woody Woodpecker, Shrek and many other stars are on hand to greet you as you make your way through the park. Entertaining rides include Jaws, Back to the Future, the Spider-Man Ride and Jurassic Park! Partake in ultra-exhilarating shows like Shrek's 4-D Adventure, Terminator 2: 3-D or Backdraft. Universal Studios shows are fun for everyone and are full of excitement! And if you're a Harry Potter fan, be enchanted by the newly opened Wizarding World of Harry Potter! Fly over Hogwarts on the "Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey" flight simulator; tour Hogwarts castle to see some of its most famous rooms; or even take a ride on a Hippogriff (winged horse with an eagle head)!

From sushi fish to kitchen knives, you’ll find everything under the sun relating to food at Nishiki Market. The covered market is a foodie's wonderland, and provides fascinating glimpses into the shopping and eating habits of Kyoto's locals, chefs and families. Pick up produce to prepare in your hotel/apartment if you’re self-catering, or choose from a staggering array of ready-to-eat snacks, sweets and drinks. This is a great place to pick up a Kyoto souvenir with a difference, from authentic cooking equipment to green tea or photographs of this colorful market.

The spindly needle atop the 55 meter (180 foot), five-storied pagoda of To-ji temple keeps protective watch over the city of Kyoto, as it has done since its construction in the early 9th century. The tallest pagoda in Japan, it has become a symbol and iconic image of Kyoto. Several Buddha statues reside inside the famous wooden structure, enhancing its religious and historical allure. The temple itself dates from 796, two years after the capitol moved to Kyoto. At the time, To-ji, along with a no longer existing sister temple, guarded the capitol. The temple’s feature image is that of Yakushi Nyorai, the Buddha of Medicine, further promoting To-ji’s status as a protector. To-ji was one of only three temples allowed in Kyoto in the early years of its reign as capitol, and it’s the only one that still stands today.

Host to Japan’s most famous festival, Gion Matsuri, Yasaka Shrine is located in the heart of Kyoto. Yasaka Shrine dates back to the 7th century, when it was known as Gion Shrine for its location near the Gion district, famous for the geisha that live and work there. The shrine consists of several buildings. The main hall houses an inner sanctuary and a secondary hall. One of the most prominent features of the shrine is a large stage out front lined with hundreds of lanterns. One of the most popular times to visit the shrine is in the evening or at night, when the lanterns light the stage. The annual Gion Matsuri festival began more than 1,100 years ago at Yasaka Shrine. In modern times, it takes place every July. Originally, the festival sought to expunge the city of illnesses. Today, the festival celebrates craftwork. Intricate fabrics, textiles, and sculptures adorn floats that men carry through town. Music, costumes, and street food contribute to the festive atmosphere.

Strolling along the Kamo River (also referred to as Kamogawa River) at night is a quintessential Kyoto experience. The fourth longest river in Kyoto spans from the northeastern most parts of the city southwest to the Katsuragawa River. The most popular section of the river runs through the famous geisha district of Gion. In warmer months, the river becomes a popular spot for picnics, walks, and people watching. A walking path along the river’s edge gives way to stretches of parkland, perfect for enjoying an afternoon or evening. Restaurants situated above the river light up at night, illuminating the river below. There are five bridges that span the Kamo River. More adventurous travelers may enjoy finding each of them. Along with the Seine in Paris or the Tiber River in Italy, the Kamo River is a favorite spot among locals.

Once a destination for nobles, the Arashiyama district of Kyoto boasts small-town charm and beautiful mountainside views. Today, the popular neighborhood attracts tourists and nature lovers. The scenic neighborhood’s iconic landmark, Togetsukyo Bridge spans the Katsura River and provides panoramic views of lush mountainside foliage, gentle river swells, and local fisherman navigating the shoreline. The bridge’s history extends back 400 years and has been featured in many historical films. Crossing Togetsukyo Bridge is a highlight of any visit to Arashiyama. From feeding carp fish over the railing to enjoying the splendor of cherry blossoms in the spring and fall foliage, the bridge is a gateway to a simple, stunningly scenic way of life. Another popular way to see the bridge is by a boat ride along the river.