Kansai region

The is one of Japan's traditional regions The area is also known as the or as the . The Japanese conventions of geography and history divide the nation into eight regions, including the Kansai region. These have been used since 1905 as basic units for description and comparison. and as cultural markers.
The regions of Japan are a fusion of historical divisions and modern administrative needs". The significance of the region in Japan is geographical, cultural and administrative.
History.
In the late 7th century, the "Kinki" region were identified as one of the eight largest administrative areas of the Imperial system ("ritsuryo seido").
"Gokishichidō" is an ancient system of names for parts of the country, including "Kinki" or "Kansai". "Kansai" covers the area around the capital city of Kyoto on the island of Honshū in roughly the same area as the traditional "Kinki".
In the Meiji period, the modern regional system was made by Imperial decree. Japan was divided into regions ("chihō "), including the Kinki region. A regional council ("chihō gyōsei kyōgisai") was headed by the governor of the most powerful prefecture in the regional grouping. The council also included regional chiefs of central government ministries.
Table: Kansai region.
Over time, Kansai has developed its own regional dialects, customs and unique traditional culture.