When the Lonely Planet announced the Kii Peninsula in Japan as one of the 10 regions to visit in the world in 2018, I wondered where it was. A quick look on the map showed that it was where I lived for 2 years. Oops. I had no idea it was called the Kii Peninsula. I have no excuse other than that I was 21 and stupid.
Twenty-five years later, the Kii Peninsula has suddenly become cool which was news to my friends and I who had lived and taught English in Mie Prefecture. The nearest big city which we frequented regularly was Nagoya which has a great nightlife as well as shopping and hotels. Back then, people in the big cities would make fun of Mie as the back of beyond, sort of like the Arkansas of Japan. We apparently learned to speak Japanese with a regional accent but, of course, had no idea we sounded like country bumpkins (much to the amusement of Japanese people in Osaka and Tokyo).
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So, Where IS the Kii Peninsula?
It’s the largest peninsula on the main island of Japan, Honshu. Although part of the Kansai region, it is separated from the Kansai plain by the Kii Mountains.
A map of the Kii Peninsula
Historically a political and cultural force to be reckoned with, Kansai has 7 prefectures (including the major cities of Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe and Nara). The Kii Peninsula encompasses the southern bit of Osaka, and the prefectures of Mie, Nara and Wakayama.
My 2 Years In the Kii Peninsula
Having said Mie Prefecture was a bit rural, I would not have exchanged living there for one of the big Japanese cities. I really had the most amazing time and met some wonderful people, especially locals. Not that many foreigners came to Mie Prefecture and so curious Japanese locals overcame their natural reserve to speak to me. I was invited to lots of events, family homes etc. and got a real feel for the place. Although occasionally I did feel like a favourite pet.
I lived in Suzuka City which is famous for the Suzuka Circuit, a Formula 1 Race Track. Every year around race time, the city would be flooded with foreigners and then they would all disappear again as soon as it was over. My race car enthusiast son can’t believe that I was obliged to attend the F-1 event and it wasn’t the highlight of my stay!
Visiting the Kii Peninsula
I am taking my family to visit my old stomping grounds in the Kii Peninsula next week – just in time for spring and cherry blossom season. Here are some the things I am planning on doing with them.
Unlike our last family trip to Japan, we are focussing mainly on the Osaka area for two weeks and spending just a couple of days in Tokyo because my kids love that city. I’m hoping to transfer some of that Tokyo love to the places around the Kansai region.
In addition to the usual JR Pass, we have purchased a Kansai Area Pass which gives us unlimited travel around the Osaka/Kyoto/Nara area. We had thought about driving in Japan which is very easy because we love road trips. The Japanese rail system though is incredibly fast, efficient and easy to use that it seemed sill not to take advantage of it.
A rail map of the Kansai region
Places to Visit in the Kii Peninsula
- Koyasan is a major Buddhist temple complex and a UNESCO world heritage site. Kumano Pilgrimate routes encompass 3 major Shinto Shrines and is part of the UNESCO world heritage site listing. Mount Yoshino (also included in the listing) is Japan’s most famous place for cherry blossom viewing with 30,000 cherry trees on its slopes.
Some of the 30,000 cherry trees planted on Mt Yoshino during cherry blossom time.
The Grand Shrine of Ise is one of the most important places in the Shinto religion. It is part of the Ise-Shima National Park. Nearby you also get the Meoto Iwa sacred rocks which is supposed to represent the holiness of marriage in the Shinto religion. The larger rock is the male (natch) and has a shrine on top of it.
Meoto Iwa are two sacred rocks near the Ise Shrine.
The Mikimoto Pearl Island is located off the coast of Toba and is where the fist cultured pearls were produced by Mikimoto Kokichi in 1893. Sort of like our ogling of the Swarovski Crystal Museum in Austria and the Cartier Paris Exhibit, my daughter and I consider the appreciation of fine jewellery a must-do activity.
A statue to the pioneering of pearl cultivation on Mikimoto Pearl Island
Nara was the former capital of Japan and has got a UNESCO world heritage site listing. It’s now got a small city charm and a whole lot of assertive deer.
A nosy deer in Nara park
Travel Bloggers’ Tips to the Kii Peninsula
Since its been quite some time since I lived on the Kii Peninsula, I thought I’d get the input of a few travel bloggers who have visited more recently.
Technically, Kobe isn’t on the Kii Peninsula but it is dear to my heart and very close to Osaka so I have included it. We used to party in Kobe until late and then crash in the all-night cinema near the train station for a late showing while we waited for a train back to Mie-ken. Back then, I wasn’t going to splurge on a hotel when a movie ticket was so cheap and I definitely couldn’t afford to order any Kobe beef in a restaurant.
In addition, you should note that only the southern part of sprawling Osaka is in the Kii Peninsula. Details, details.
Nara
Located in the Kansai region of Japan, Nara was Japan’s first permanent capital. As a result, you’ll find a great number of historical sites here, including some of the oldest and largest Buddhist temples in Japan. It’s an easy getaway from Kyoto and Osaka, both about an hour away, and there’s plenty to do and see in Nara to keep you busy for a long weekend.
You can get a good dose of history and art in a visit to Nara, but the highlight of my stay there was a visit to Nara Park and seeing the sika deer that live there. There are about 1,200 deer who live there, wild and free roaming, and many people consider them sacred messengers of the gods.
Although they no longer have sacred status, they are protected, and you’re likely to encounter them while you’re walking in the park. Vendor stands sell cracker packets so you can feed them, but fair warning – you’ll attract a crowd of them and the rush for the crackers can be intimidating when you’re not expecting it.
– by Mary Jo Manzanares who you can find at Traveling With MJ and on 
Koriyama Castle in Nara, Japan
Osaka
Osaka will always lie beneath the shadows of the capital city Tokyo, and left behind for the prestigious Shinto shrines of nearby Kyoto. No doubt Osaka is a fascinating and exciting city to explore, and one which I will continue to come back to.
It is mostly for the food which Osaka is somewhat stigmatized for. There is a saying that “Osaka wa kuidaore” which means ‘Osaka people eat ’til they drop’. And the city is almost unbeatable when it comes to snacking and street food, where it is birthplace to many of Japan’s famous cuisines, such as the hugely popular octopus balls, takoyaki.
Takoyaki (little octopus meat balls) are a popular Japanese snack food.
So the best place to find street food is the Dōtonbori Canal area, around the iconic Glico Man billboard and at the Ebisu Bridge. The main tourist area for visitors to Osaka this area is filled with buzzing arcades, flashing barges, and towering and brash neon billboards.
In addition, check out one of the more up-and-coming tourist areas – Shinsekai which is just visually stunning and surreal beneath the presiding backdrop of the iconic Tsutenkaku Tower.
– by Allan Wilson who you can find at Live Less Ordinary and on
The Tsutenkaku Tower visible above the neon of Osaka’s night scene.
Mie-ken
Rice fields in Japan
Kobe
If you’re interested in Sake then a trip to a sake brewery should also be on your itinerary. Hakutsuru Sake Brewery Museum is a great one to visit in the city and is a great introduction to the delicious Japanese drink.
Honestly, Kobe has all the touristy things you can do in Tokyo and Kyoto available, but with far fewer tourists. I absolutely loved my time in Kobe. Like most Japanese cities, Kobe is easy to get to by rail and is well connected with Osaka.
The Japanese port city of Kobe at night
The Kii Peninsula is the largest peninsula on the main island of Japan, Honshu, and there are many reasons why it should be on your Japan itinerary.
The Kii Peninsula is the largest peninsula on the main island of Japan, Honshu, and
there are many reasons why it should be on your Japan itinerary. From the beautiful
city of Osaka, to the Kumano Pilgrimage route and the Mikimoto Pearl Island, the Kii
Peninsula is so beautiful. Check out the best things to do in the Kii Peninsula, Japan.
#kiipeninsula #kii #japan #osaka #travelblog #destinationguide
Why Your Next Trip to Japan Should Include the Kii Peninsula
