近畿(きんき)

きんき
noun
Kinki region
geography
1. Kinki region; Kansai area of Japan
A geographic region in the central part of Japan's main island, encompassing Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Nara, Shiga, Wakayama, and Mie prefectures. The traditional name for what is now more commonly called Kansai.
近畿(きんき)地方(ちほう)は歴史(れきし)が深(ふか)い。
The Kinki region has a deep history.
近畿(きんき)地方(ちほう)には古(ふる)い寺(てら)や神社(じんじゃ)がたくさんある。
There are many old temples and shrines in the Kinki region.
天気予報(てんきよほう)によると、明日(あした)は近畿(きんき)地方(ちほう)全体(ぜんたい)で雨(あめ)になるそうだ。
According to the weather forecast, it will rain across the entire Kinki region tomorrow.

Usage

近畿(きんき) is the traditional and official name used in government, weather reports, and formal contexts. In everyday conversation, 関西(かんさい) (Kansai) is more commonly used. The two terms cover slightly different geographic areas — 近畿(きんき) includes 三重県(みえけん), while Kansai traditionally does not.

Etymology

The name literally means "near the capital" (近(きん) near + 畿(き) imperial capital), referring to proximity to the ancient capitals of Kyoto and Nara.

Common collocations

  • 近畿(きんき)地方(ちほう) (Kinki region)
  • 近畿(きんき)圏(けん) (Kinki metropolitan area)
  • 近畿(きんき)大学(だいがく) (Kinki University, now officially Kindai University)

Related Words

Synonym: 関西(かんさい) (Kansai (everyday term))
general
Added 2026.3.15 18:47 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
17000/17061_kinki