Kansai region

The Kansai region (関西地方, Kansai-chihō^? ) or Kinki region ( 近畿地方, Kinki-chihō^?) is located in the middle of the main island of Japan, Honshu.

The Ki (畿) of the Japanese term Kinki, miyako, means city or metropolis. It dates back to the Edo period when the capital of Japan was located in this region.

Population: 22,757,897 inhabitants.

Administrative division

Prefectures

The Kansai region comprises the prefectures in Japan of:

• Nara
• Wakayama
• Mie
• Kyoto
• Osaka
• Hyōgo
• Shiga.

Important cities

• Osaka
• Kobe
• Kyoto