What is the Kansai?
The Kansai (region) of Japan consists mainly of Osaka, Hyogo (Kobe), Kyoto and Nara Prefectures. Kobe is the main city of Hyogo Prefecture, while the other prefectures mentioned are also the names of the main cities therein. Kanto is the name for the region that contains Tokyo and other main areas near Tokyo. The subreddit called Japanlife, while open to anyone primarily living in Japan, pretty much caters to the Kanto region.
There has been a request to include the Prefectures of Shiga and Wakayama, too, so consider yourself included if only to provide a forum for your assistance.
While Reddit has its share of trolls and subversive posters, Kansai will do its best to deter such posts. Repeat offenders will be banned. If you ask questions in earnest, you will be respected, although your question may go unanswered. It just depends on whether or not the right person sees your post.
Posted Jul 11, 2018, 5:18 PM UTC · edited
At the very least, Wakayama and Shiga want words with you.
OK, but aren't you considered Kinki rather than Kansai? Splitting hairs I guess so I can amend my statement. Any others you think ought to be mentioned?
No, I'm not. The "minimum" definition of Kansai is the 2 fu 4 Prefectures of:
Osaka Kyoto Hyogo Wakayama Nara Shiga
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/関西
In addition to these, sometimes Kansai includes:
Fukui Tokushima Tottori Mie
https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/関西広域連合
Kinki would typically be understood as minimum Kansai + Fukui.
According to my Japanese wife, I got it right the first time. But didn't know Kinki also included Mie (besides Shiga and Wakayama). I'm not going to stretch it too much - those outlying communities can start their own sub. Arguments?
The answer you get will depend on who you ask. If you ask a typical Osakajin what constitutes Kansai you quite possibly will get "Osaka Kyoto Hyogo Nara" as the answer.
If you ask someone in Shiga or Wakayama they will include their own prefecture and maybe the other as well.
The further you get away from the core of Kansai the more likely you are to get additional prefectures added to the list.
Interesting point. Having given it more thought, though, I'm not really opposed to including nearby prefectures if it will help those living there who might not otherwise have a venue within to share. I'll edit the OP to reflect the changes.