Visit Japan Web Minoo Park
Visit Japan Web invites you to explore Minoo Park, a wooded valley located on the outskirts of Osaka. During the autumn, it ranks as one of the top places in the Kansai Region to experience the natural beauty of autumn foliage, as opposed to the cultivated fall colors found at temples and gardens. The colors typically peak in the latter half of November.
Similar to Tokyo’s Mount Takao, Minoo Park offers a spacious natural recreational area closest to the bustling metropolis of Osaka. It is accessible in less than 30 minutes from the downtown Umeda area. Both Takao and Minoo were designated as quasi-national parks in 1967 to commemorate the hundredth anniversary of the Meiji Period.
The primary hiking trail in Minoo Park stretches approximately three kilometers along a valley next to the Minoo River. It commences close to Hankyu Minoo Station and leads to the Minoo Waterfall, the park’s prominent natural feature, which stands 33 meters tall. The waterfall derives its name from its likeness to winnowing, an ancient farming method for separating grains from their husks. This appellation was subsequently adopted for the entire area.
The trail from the station to the waterfall is relatively flat, paved, and typically takes around 45 minutes to traverse. There are various shops, temple structures and other amenities beside the initial section of the trail, while the latter part is slightly steeper and enveloped by trees.
Amid the limited number of temple buildings along the hiking route, Ryuanji Temple stands out as the most remarkable. Situated around the midpoint between the railway station and the waterfall, the temple consists of the Shugendo mountain worship religious sect and features a variety of noteworthy edifices.
