This is the Kansai chapter from Lonely Planet's Hiking in Japan guidebook.

Combine physical and cultural pursuits in one outing: Kansai offers outstanding hikes within easy reach of the region's major cities - Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe. With mountains on three sides, the Kyoto area is particularly rich in hikable terrain, while the area around Nara is rich in history.

• maps
• meander through the Nara countryside past shrines, temples and 1300-year old Emperor's tombs on the Yama-no-be-no-michi walk
• transport
• restaurants
• accommodation
• pick your way over ropes, chains, ladders and around waterfalls in the narrow gorge of Yatsubuchi-no-taki

Coverage includes: Climate, Gateways, Planning, Getting To/From the Hikes, Kyoto & around, Fushimi Inari, Daimonji-yama, Konpira-san, Kurama to Kibune, Atago-san, Hira Range, Buna-ga-take, Yatsubuchi-no-taki, Osaka & Kobe & around, Rokku Gaaden, Nara & around, Yama-no-be-no-michi, Yoshino-Kumano National Park, Omine-san, Odai-ga-hara to Osugi, Town & Facilities.