From ancient times to the modern day, Kansai has been the site of much of Japan's history. The principal cities of Kansai, Osaka, Kyoto and Nara, have about 1,200 years of history as a center of government and public ritual. Not only have they prospered within Japan, but also via the Silk Road and other international routes, has exchanged with many other cultures. Nara and Kyoto have numerous Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines, as well as Buddhist sculpture, which were created through the adoption of foreign techniques and construction methods. Other forms of culture and performing arts also originated in Kansai. The three great classical performing arts of Japan-bunraku (puppet theater), kabuki, and noh, which are listed on UNESCO's intangible cultural heritages-started here. Moreover, along with tea ceremony and flower arrangement, the Tale of Genji and many other famous works of literature were created in Kansai.

As of November 2007, Japan had 10 registered World Heritages, five of which were in Kansai: The Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range, Himeji Castle, the Buddhist Monuments in the Horyu-ji Area, the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, and the Historic Monuments of Ancient Nara. The Sacred Sites and Pilgrimage Routes in the Kii Mountain Range, which became a World Heritage in April 2007, includes Yoshino and Omine, the Three Grand Shrines of Kumano, the three sacred mountains of Mt. Koya and the old Kumano route as well as other pilgrimage routes. Since these sites and routes were recognized together as a cultural landscape where nature and religious piety are intertwined, they were designated as a culture heritage rather than as a natural heritage.

kumano Pilgrimage Routes	National Treasure Himeji Castle (C)Himeji City

Kansai is the source of many elements of Japanese traditional culture, including many of Japan's illustrious traditional performing arts. Noh theater was born in the 14th century during the Muromachi era. Bunraku (puppet theater) and kabuki, which also originated in Kansai, were popular part of mainstream culture in Edo (modern-day Tokyo) by the late 17th century. Even today, they continue to attract avid followers. In Kyoto, flower arrangement originated in the Muromachi era, while tea ceremony started in the late 16th century or Azuchi-Momoyama era under the devotion of Sen Rikyu, who was born in Sakai, Osaka. These arts continue to be practiced today. Moreover, with its traditional silk textile and yuzen dyeing industries, Kyoto was known as the fashion-conscious capital, while Osaka, as the national center for trade, was famed for its cuisine and called the "nation's kitchen". Both cities are still known for their clothes and food.

Nishijin Textile (C)Nishijin Textile Industrial Association	Bunraku (C)National Bunraku Theatre