The Kansai region is often considered as the historical and cultural heart of Japan. It was the centre of politics, culture, and economy before the capital city was transferred to Tokyo in the 17th century. As a result of its unique history, many historical sites in Kansai are considered as UNESCO World Heritage sites or Japanese national treasures. Due to its unique history, the residents of Kansai have adopted a dynamic lifestyle from other regions in Japan, such as the commerce of Osaka, the culture of Kyoto, the cosmopolitan standards of living of Kobe. However, this does not mean that Kansai does not have its own unique customs. For example, Osakans are known for their love of delicious food, and the Kansai people in general are known for their easy-going and fun loving nature. As of 2010, there are about 23 million residents in the Kansai region. The region covers an area of over 27,000 square kilometres (10,000 square miles), and consists of seven prefectures: No. Prefecture Capital City 1. Osaka Osaka 2. Hyogo Kobe 3. Kyoto Kyoto 4. Mie Tsu 5. Wakayama Wakayama 6. Nara Nara 7. Shiga Otsu Note: Kyoto and Nara will be excluded from this article […]