Minoh

Travel Guide
Minoh
One of Japan’s oldest national parks in this city is where you’ll find beautiful waterfalls, an ancient Buddhist temple and forested hillsides.

Minoh is a city in Osaka prefecture that is home to a much-loved national park, gorgeous Japanese maple forests and intriguing Shinto history. Also known as Minoo, Minoh is a landmark in the Kansai region for its magnificent natural scenery, ancient shrines and agricultural heritage. Visit peaceful temples and Shinto shrines and experience the beauty of Minoh’s surrounding foliage in spring and fall.

The city’s downtown area is a good place to find out what’s happening during your visit. Explore the city streets, which are presided over by the picturesque Hokusetsu mountain chain. Go shopping or relax in casual cafés. Specialties that are particular to Minoh include momiji tempura sweets, which are sweetened and fried maple leaves. Minoh is also famed for its Mino Yaki pottery, which incorporates the deep-red colors of maple leaves in the fall. Pick up souvenir items or “omiyagi,” gifts for your loved ones at home.

Minoh’s premier attraction is undoubtedly its magnificent Meiji no Mori Minō Quasi-National Park. Explore the park’s main hiking trail, Takimichi, which follows the Minō River at the bottom of a beautiful gorge. After a 1.8-mile (3-kilometer) stroll along the paved pathway, you’ll reach the breathtaking Minō Waterfall. This roaring cascade is a sight to behold in all seasons. The valley’s forests of maple trees cloak the hillsides in a rich tapestry of orange, red and yellow during the fall, while in spring the wild cherry blossoms come into bloom.

See intriguing insect collections in the national park’s insectariums and learn about the region’s ancient spirituality at the Ryuan-ji Temple. In Katsuo-ji Temple, you’ll find an enormous collection of traditional daruma dolls, while Saiko-ji Templeis renowned for its camellia blooms. Join locals as they celebrate the changing of the seasons during the Setsubun festival at Taisyaku-ji Temple to the east of the city.

Minoh is located 11 miles (19 kilometers) north of the center of Osaka. It can be reached within 30 minutes via Osaka’s railway network. Stay in one of Minoh’s traditional ryokan lodgings or enjoy modern hotels. Minoh is busiest during the fall, when the turning of the leaves brings a crowd to the tranquil national park.

Where to stay in Minoh

On my way to Minoo Koen, saw this Buddist ceremony. 'Twas an offertory religious chanting. Quite impressive to see as they make a huge makeshift of bonfire.

Rurikei Onsen

Travelers enjoy Rurikei Onsen for its mountain views and breweries. Consider checking out Meiji Memorial Forest Minoo Quasi-National Park while you're in the area.

Rurikei Onsen
Sotetsu Grand Fresa Osaka - Namba
Sotetsu Grand Fresa Osaka - Namba
3.5 out of 5
1-1-13 Nipponbashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka, Osaka-fu
The price is ¥7,310 per night from Apr 29 to Apr 30
¥7,310
per night
Apr 29 - Apr 30
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,053 reviews)
"Wonderful stay. Staff was friendly & made an effort to try to help us when we had questions. The free breakfast was good. Room is small as expected (note that you cannot open your luggage all the way unless it’s in the bed) you make it work though and it’s not too bad. Location is great close to ..."

Reviewed on Mar 25, 2024

Sotetsu Grand Fresa Osaka - Namba
Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA
Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA
4 out of 5
1-1 Ofukacho, Kita, Osaka, Osaka
The price is ¥17,099 per night from Apr 29 to Apr 30
¥17,099
per night
Apr 29 - Apr 30
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast, and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (2,369 reviews)
"Nice hotel, close to Osaka station. Just take the glass bridge on the right once you exit the station so you don’t get lost. Didn’t try any other extra service, but everything was good"

Reviewed on Mar 28, 2024

Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA
Hotel New Hankyu Osaka
Hotel New Hankyu Osaka
3.5 out of 5
1-1-35 Shibata 1, Kita-ku, Osaka, Osaka-fu
Fully refundable
The price is ¥11,126 per night from Apr 23 to Apr 24
¥11,126
per night
Apr 23 - Apr 24
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, 3 restaurants, and breakfast. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,384 reviews)
"Conveniently located near train and bus station. Multiple people at reception to help so no wait time to check in. Great view from my room."

Reviewed on Mar 24, 2024

Hotel New Hankyu Osaka
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
MONday Apart Premium KYOTO Station (Former:MONday Apart Premium Kyoto Shichijo Horikawa)
MONday Apart Premium KYOTO Station (Former:MONday Apart Premium Kyoto Shichijo Horikawa)
4 out of 5
1 Shichijoodori Higashihorikawa Nishiiru, Yaoyacho Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, Kyoto
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and a flat-screen TV. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (167 reviews)
"Love the Monday Apart Hotel, with the small kitchen and all the appliance that we used such as fridge, microwave, toaster oven, washer/dryer...it was the perfect set-up to be while in Kyoto for a several days. Very convenient set-up. It was in a quiet area, therefore not much immediately surrounding ..."

Reviewed on Mar 26, 2024

MONday Apart Premium KYOTO Station (Former:MONday Apart Premium Kyoto Shichijo Horikawa)
Hotel Abitare Namba West
Hotel Abitare Namba West
3 out of 5
2-chome-2-44 Saiwaicho Naniwa Ward, Osaka, Osaka
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, a balcony, and a kitchen. Our guests praise the clean rooms and the property condition in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (258 reviews)
"It was super convenient that the shower space and toilet were completely separated. The instructions and rules are clearly stated. Check in was a bit difficult since we were travelling with elderly individuals who couldn’t grasp the online video check in."

Reviewed on Mar 28, 2024

Hotel Abitare Namba West
Mimaru Osaka Namba Station
Mimaru Osaka Namba Station
3 out of 5
Nippombashi Naniwa-ku, 3-6-24, Osaka, Osaka Prefecture
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, daily housekeeping, and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (138 reviews)
"Great location, close to everything, roomy enough for family of 4"

Reviewed on Jan 27, 2024

Mimaru Osaka Namba Station
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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