Packed with negative ions! Relaxing hiking and yoga experience at Minoh Park, a healing spot in Hokusetsu

Located in northern Osaka, about 30 minutes by train from the city, Minoh City is surrounded by lush greenery despite being located near a major metropolis. Known as one of the most famous autumn foliage spots in the Kansai region, Minoh Falls, at its heart, is a beautiful reflection of the fiery-hued maples. In March 2024, the Kita-Osaka Kyuko Railway Namboku Line extension will open, directly connecting it to the Osaka Metro Midosuji Line, which covers major areas of Osaka, making the area even more accessible.

There are many tourist attractions in Minoh, including the Minoh Falls, the only waterfall in Osaka selected as one of Japan's 100 best waterfalls, Osaka Prefectural Minoh Park, home to a wide variety of plants and insects, Katsuo-ji Temple, where you can see the impressive sight of rows of large and small Daruma dolls, Ryuan-ji Temple, where the lottery first began, and Saiko-ji Temple, a temple for matchmaking. Katsuo-ji Temple, famous for its belief in winning luck, is especially popular among tourists from Taiwan and Hong Kong. Minoh also has many spots where you can experience the unique atmosphere of Japan, making it a recommended destination for overseas travelers.

Minoh Kayano Station on the Kita-Osaka Kyuko Railway is about a 25-minute train ride from Umeda Station on the Midosuji Line. The bus terminal "North Traffic Plaza" opened in conjunction with the station's opening, and the "Minoh Q's Mall STATION Building" was also opened, directly connected to the station. Bottled drinks and snacks you might want to stock up on before your stroll can also be purchased here.

First, we took a direct bus from Hankyu Bus stop "6-B" inside the terminal to our first destination, Katsuoji Temple. Previously, there were only four buses per day, but with the opening of Minoh Kayano Station, the number of buses has increased. It's very convenient as it can be accessed directly from the station.

If you're traveling on weekdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays during the summer vacation period (excluding the autumn foliage season and the New Year holidays), we highly recommend the Minoh Takimichi One-Way Sightseeing Bus, which starts from Hankyu Minoh Station and efficiently tours popular tourist spots in Minoh, such as Minoh Otaki Falls, Katsuo-ji Temple, Ryuan-ji Temple, and Saiko-ji Temple. One-day unlimited ride passes are available, and adult tickets come with a 400 yen coupon that can be used at shops along the Takimichi trail and around Minoh Station.

Small Daruma dolls are everywhere! Katsuoji Temple brings you a chance to win

Katsuoji Temple has been known since ancient times as a temple of good fortune, and has been revered as a temple that brings success in all matters, from exams and warding off evil spirits to sports and the performing arts.

The highlight is the "Victory Daruma" offering shelf, where large and small Daruma dolls are lined up, dedicated to ensure victory. It has become a hot topic on social media as a photo spot where you can encounter many Daruma dolls, and many tourists from both Japan and abroad visit. It is said that famous athletes from overseas sometimes come here secretly.

From the parking lot, go through the temple gate and cross the misty Okiyome Bridge to enter the temple grounds. It is customary to bathe in the purifying mist to ward off evil spirits and purify yourself before praying. The vermilion shrine floating on the pond is a beautiful sight and is sure to make a great photo.

The sight of small Daruma dolls placed all over the temple grounds is unique to Katsuoji Temple. These are the "64 Trigram Daruma Fortunes," which are individually hand-painted, and visitors who draw a fortune leave the Daruma in a place of their choosing. Of course, you can take it home and display it at home. By the way, the 64 Trigram Daruma Fortunes can be obtained at the gift shop in front of the main hall.

Minoh Falls: A dynamic and breathtaking sight to behold

Next, we headed to Minoh Falls, Minoh's most famous power spot. The road was well paved and very easy to walk on, which was impressive.

After walking for about 50 minutes from Katsuo-ji Temple, Minoo Falls comes into view. The sight of water gushing down from a cliff about 33 meters high is quite dynamic! Many people were sitting and resting around the slightly cool basin where the spray of the water turns into natural mist. Taking a deep breath and soaking up the negative ions will leave you feeling refreshed and refreshed, forgetting the fatigue of everyday life.

Enjoy hiking trails filled with nature!

The walkway is shaded by trees, making it a comfortable walk that feels more like a stroll than a hike.

Along the way, Rachel cheers when she spots a huge rock. This rock, called "Tojin Modoriwa," is said to have been named after an anecdote from long ago, when a nobleman from the Tang dynasty came to the rock to see Minoh Falls, but turned back in fear at the steepness of the mountain path.

Just walking along this hiking course, where you can enjoy the wind blowing through the trees, the sparkling sunlight filtering through the trees, and the murmuring of the river, is sure to be soothing. Along the way, we also recommend stopping by Minoosan Ryuanji Temple, the temple where the lottery originated and where Benzaiten, the goddess of performing arts and wealth, is enshrined in the main hall, making it Japan's oldest temple. The trail is relatively gentle, so even beginners to mountain hiking can enjoy it without feeling overwhelmed.

Experience yoga while sharpening your senses at Seiten-gu Saikoji Temple!

Next is Seiten-gu Saikoji Temple, which has a history of over 1,300 years.
This is the place where Daisho Kankiten, the god of marital harmony and matchmaking, is said to have first appeared in Japan, and he is still worshipped as the local guardian deity. Around 2021, "Forest Yoga" sessions, where you can get moving in the quiet grounds surrounded by nature, began on an irregular basis. With overseas tours planned for the future, we asked Rachel, a regular yogi, to try it out for us!

"Forest Yoga" is a yoga therapy that sharpens your senses, allowing you to feel the birdsong and the gentle breeze while breathing deeply, creating a sense of being one with nature. Performing yoga in the tranquil grounds of a temple while gazing at the trees through a large window is an extraordinary experience. It relaxed both the mind and body, and I experienced the strange sensation of being one with nature.

The program is mixed-gender, and you don't need to wear yoga wear to participate, which is a great point. The theme is to feel nature and relax, so beginners are also welcome. We recommend not only daytime yoga under the shining sun, but also night yoga under the illuminated lights.

Enjoy elegant kaiseki cuisine at the atmospheric Meiji no Mori Minoh Otowa Sanso

It's almost time for lunch. This time, we visited Meiji no Mori Minoh Otowa Sanso, a Taisho-era mansion filled with the pleasant scent of wood. Guests can enjoy nutritious sushi and kaiseki cuisine that makes the most of the natural flavors of the ingredients. It's popular not only as a restaurant, but also as a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) and wedding venue.

On this day, we were led to "Kaze no Uta" on the second floor, which overlooks the waterfall path that changes with the seasons. The calm space is soothing to the soul. It seems that many people use it for pre-wedding meetings and other occasions.

The dishes, prepared by the Kyoto-born chef, are made with an abundance of seasonal ingredients and a focus on dashi stock, allowing you to enjoy a rich aroma and sophisticated flavor. Among the dishes is a local favorite, made with yuzu, a Minoh specialty! The menu changes with the seasons, making it a great place to visit regularly.

Rachel seemed very pleased with the kaiseki lunch, which allowed her to experience the four seasons of Japan, and the charming atmosphere. She was able to enjoy her meal in a relaxed atmosphere. Only one group per day is allowed to stay, and reservations are required for meals, so it's best to plan your visit in advance! There are also staff members who can speak English and Chinese, so international visitors can use the restaurant with ease.

Take home the famous "Momiji Tempura" and Minoh's famous yuzu sweets as souvenirs

"Momiji Tempura" is a traditional souvenir from Minoh, made from maple leaves of the "Ichigyoji maple" variety, wrapped in a batter made from high-quality wheat, white sesame seeds, and sugar, and then deep-fried. It is said to have first been offered to travelers visiting a Shugendo training center about 1,300 years ago, and now there are 15 shops lined up along the waterfall path.

The crispy, fragrant, slightly sweet, and nostalgic taste of Momiji Tempura makes a great souvenir and a great snack to enjoy on the go. Its adorable shape, resembling a baby's hand, is also adorable.

Next, we headed to YUZUYA Hashimototei. The first floor houses a riverside open terrace cafe and a takeout and merchandise corner, while the second floor houses a reservation-only French restaurant that combines traditional Japanese cuisine. This time, we took a look at the first floor, where there is a wide selection of souvenirs.

Their signature product is "Little Treasure," made with a whole, flavorful Minoh yuzu. This chewy, gyuhi-like pastry is filled with yuzu, egg yolk paste, and rich white chocolate, and has a rich yet fresh aftertaste that's addictive. It's a unique confection that combines Japanese and Western flavors.

Minoh's yuzu, grown using a method called seed cultivation, are known as mishoyuzu (pronounced mishoyuzu), and are characterized by their stronger fragrance and larger size than regular yuzu. Because they germinate from a single seed and take many years to grow, they are one of the precious fruits that only grow on trees that are 100 or 200 years old. In homage to the tradition of seed-grown yuzu, the shop is committed to making sustainable sweets, such as using fair trade white chocolate as an ingredient in their "Little Treasure" sweets.

YUZUYA Hashimototei has a wide selection of original yuzu-based products, including long-lasting souvenir sweets, dressings, and yuzu pepper. The stylish packaging makes them perfect as souvenirs. Rachel also looks happy to have gotten her hands on a souvenir. Soft serve ice cream and drinks are also available for takeout, so it's a great place to stop by for a quick break.

After enjoying a hike, relax in the natural hot springs

After working up a sweat with yoga or hiking, we recommend stopping by Minoh Onsen Spa Garden, a hot spring theme park attached to Oedo Onsen Monogatari Minoh Kanko Hotel. In addition to the wide variety of baths you can enjoy, there are plenty of attractions, including gourmet food, popular theater, music shows, a festival plaza, manga, and games. The natural hot spring, known as "beauty water," has a comfortable, viscous texture, and just a relaxing soak is sure to wash away the day's fatigue.

After a fulfilling stroll, we headed to our destination, Hankyu Minoh Station.

Rachel got off at the final stop, Hankyu Minoo Station. "It was so hot! I'm totally sweating," she said with a laugh, but there was a sense of accomplishment on her face.

"It was a wonderful walk that filled both body and soul. Maybe it's because I spent the whole day surrounded by nature, but I feel like I'm overflowing with energy inside," said Rachel.

Minoh Park is a great place to spend a day, with plenty to do, including taking photos at photo spots, practicing yoga at a temple, eating delicious food, and buying souvenirs, while also enjoying a nature walk. Why not visit this oasis, just 30 minutes by train from the city, and refresh yourself from the everyday fatigue?

*This article was migrated from “Shittonka Osaka.” The information provided is current as of November 2024 and may differ from current conditions. Please check the official websites of each store or facility for the latest operating hours and details.