3 Memorable Scenic Spots in Kansai for Enjoying the Waterfront

Located in northern Kyoto City, Kibune is known as the “inner parlor” of Kyoto. With temperatures said to feel around 10℃ degrees cooler than the city center, this area serves as Kyoto's natural summer sanctuary. Visitors are enchanted by the valley's ever-changing seasonal beauty: shimmering early summer green maples, brilliant autumn foliage, and serene winter snowscapes.

Kibune's quintessential summer attraction is the "kawadoko" (riverbed dining), available annually from May 1st to September 30th. These special dining platforms are set up directly above clear streams or positioned so close to the water's surface you could almost touch it, allowing guests to enjoy an extraordinary experience while listening to the babbling brook and feeling the refreshing breeze.

Surrounded by vibrant greenery, cool air that gently caresses your skin, and the peaceful sounds of flowing water, this otherworldly setting offers seasonal delicacies like sweetfish and conger eel. The experience heightens all your senses, allowing you to embrace the coolness with your entire being. It is a fantastic place to treat yourself to an exceptional escape that helps you forget the hustle and bustle of city life.

Meriken Park stands as one of Kobe's premier tourist destinations. Its landmark is the Kobe Port Tower; the world's first tower built with a pipe structure. The tower's distinctive form is inspired by the “tsuzumi” (Japanese drum), featuring an elegant hourglass-like narrowing at its center. Affectionately known as the "Beauty of the Iron Tower," it serves as an iconic symbol of Kobe.

From the tower's observation floors and rooftop deck, visitors can enjoy spectacular 360-degree panoramic views of the Rokko mountain range to the north, Kobe Port’s ocean views to the south, and the city's sprawling landscape extending east and west. When night falls, the tower itself is brilliantly illuminated, blending with Kobe's renowned nightscape - famously called the "10 million dollar night view" - to create a magical scene.

In spring, the cherry blossom trees lining Meriken Park are beautifully lit, creating stunning visual harmony with the tower, sea, and nighttime views. Beyond its seasonal attractions, this destination offers visitors the chance to experience Kobe's distinctive scenery both day and night year-round.

Sakai Port has flourished as a hub for overseas trade since ancient times. Standing at the tip of the old Sakai Port, the Old Sakai Lighthouse preserves this rich history to this day. Built in 1877 through public donations, this beautiful white lighthouse is designated as a national historic site and is one of Japan's oldest Western-style wooden lighthouses.

Behind this nostalgic lighthouse stretches the modern industrial complex of the Sakai-Semboku Coastal Industrial Zone, creating a unique landscape where history and modernity converge. While the daytime contrast is already striking, the scene becomes even more enchanting after sunset when the lighthouse is illuminated and is complemented by the countless lights from the factory complexes, creating a truly magical atmosphere.

For almost a century , this lighthouse watched over Sakai's waters and cityscape before ending its operational duties in 1968. Today, it continues to captivate visitors as both a symbol of Sakai and a unique scenic destination where past and future seamlessly intertwine.

The natural and urban landscapes reflected in waterside settings create special moments during your travels. Why not visit these refreshing, scenic destinations to rejuvenate both mind and body?

“Worth the Visit! My Favorite KANSAI Photo Contest” was organized by the EXPO2025KANSAI Tourism Council in collaboration with Tokyo Camera Club. 14 winning photos were selected by region from countless submissions on social media between April 21 and June 30, 2025. Each winner captures the unique charms of Kansai in their own way.

When you look at the landscapes captured in these images, you may find yourself wanting to visit the locations in person. Find your favorite photos and then set out to see them with your own eyes and camera!