The most beautiful natural sites to discover Kansai

About 15 minutes walk from the station, the giant bamboo forest is one of the most famous images in Japan. Appearing in advertisements, movies, and wallpapers, the tall bamboos form an arch that protects from the sun along a path of about 500 meters. It's a nice walk to do. Unfortunately, the place is a victim of its success. Hordes of tourists who have come for the serenity of the place disturb its calm. Nevertheless, the freshness of the wind in the stems is worth the detour, without forgetting the villa Okochi Sanso.

It is one of the largest narcissus gardens in Japan, with more than 4 million flowers on 7 hectares. The subtle scent of the flowers is intoxicating and the landscape is magnificent. It is located between two seas: the inland sea of Japan, with on the left the coast of Wakayama, on the right the island of Nushima and in the center Shikoku and the sea of narcissus with white and green waves. The local legend tells that 180 years ago, a fisherman found a narcissus bulb on the seashore and decided to plant it. Very quickly, the flowers spread all over the hill at the foot of Yuzuruha Mountain. One hundred years later, a resident of Awaji Island picked some flowers and went to sell them at Ōsaka where he got a very good price. Understanding the value of these flowers, the islanders decided to get together to preserve them. Today, the narcissus garden is maintained by a team of gardeners throughout the year. It is a real challenge because, with its 45° slope, the hill is slippery and the gardeners have to work while avoiding damaging the flowers. At the exit of the park there is a shop where you can buy narcissus bulbs and a restaurant offering a delicious fresh clementine juice. The park is easier to reach by car, but shuttle buses connect it to Fukura (Nanairokan-mae stop) during the flowering period (¥900 one way for an adult, ¥2300 return combined with entrance).

Opened from mid-November to the end of March, this ski resort uses artificial snow to allow the small and large to come down the runway. Skiing as well as snowboarding. Rental of equipment on site.

These "five basalt caves" were formed by volcanic activity more than 1.6 million years ago. The flow of magma gave rise to astonishing and highly artistic geometric shapes. A spectacle that was designated as a "national natural monument" in 1931. In 1925, during the earthquake, many stones were detached. They were used to rebuild the low walls on the river bank in the centre of Kinosaki and some house walls. The park changes its face according to the seasons.

In summer, from July to late August, it is a very pleasant stopover to bathe in the clear waters of the sea of Japan. Canoeing is also possible to discover the San 'in Kaigan coast which received the geoparc label in 2008 (protected area supported by UNESCO with strong geological attractions).

The Kinosaki cable car takes 7 minutes to reach the top of Mount Daichi, from where you can enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the area. It is even possible to see the Sea of Japan. It is possible to walk to Onsenji temple in 15 minutes by a staircase of 500 steps or by the cable car. To go to the top from the temple, the way is steeper, count 40 minutes. One of the main attractions of the city.

This was the site of the Grand World Exposition of Ōsaka in 1970. It is now housed in a park of attractions and is a place for the inhabitants of the new town of Senri, built on the slopes of the hills. It is a little too far away from the city centre. It is therefore better to visit Nakazakicho!

In particular, we can see the fighting of buffalo.

This onsen is mixed, but it's wearing a bathing suit. Getting there is a bit complicated. Take a bus from the port (Sueyoshi bus), change to Kashitate Onsen Mae, then go through another bus to Nakata-Shōten Mae. Finally, walk for 20 minutes to the ocean. The second, the Sueyoshi Onsen Miharashi-noyu is open from until and closed on Tuesday. Entry: 500 yen. It offers a beautiful view of the Pacific. Take the bus from the port to the Sueyoshi stop.

This cave, which can only be visited with a guide, is accessible by a path, but also by a very picturesque motorized monorail that winds its way through the trees on the mountainside. This option is recommended for the pleasure it provides. Once inside the limestone cave, you can make your way through the rocks. The stroll, which is very playful, is illuminated by coloured lights. This excursion is simple even if it is better to wear comfortable shoes. In bad weather, the activity is cancelled.