Kansai Activities

The pandemic shut down everything in Japan for a while, but Kansai has now bounced back with a number of new attractions. This makes right now a great time to rediscover Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, and Nara. 1. Super Nintendo World The latest addition to Universal Studios Japan is Super Nintendo World, which opened in early 2021. The current highlight is the real-life Mario Kart courses, although fans are looking forward to Donkey Kong Country, coming in the spring of 2024. The theme park has proved so popular that entries have to be limited each day. To ensure you’ll have access, consider purchasing an express pass or a travel package. 2. Heijo Palace Southern Gate Nara was the capital city of Japan in the 8th century, when it had the name Heijo. Little remains of this part of history, as the structures were either moved to the new capital in Kyoto or destroyed by natural disasters. However, starting in the 1990s, there have been efforts to reconstruct the Heijo imperial palace. In 2022, this involved the creation of the southern gate, called the Nanmon, which joins another gate, a garden, and an audience hall. 3. Kobe Port Museum A new landmark…