Good morning! We started our sixth day of our 7D6N Japan trip in Osaka. After packing up, we checked out of our Airbnb Apartment located in the Namba area. Our plan for the day was to visit Minoo (also spelled as Minoh or Mino) Park, one of the oldest National park located in the northern outskirts of Osaka before we checked in our hotel at Itami Airport (also known as Osaka International Airport) where we will spend our last night in Japan. The reason why we were spending a night at Itami Airport was because we have a 8 am flight to catch the next morning.
We all know that getting to the airport for an early morning flight can be extremely stressful and tiring. So the best way to ensure that we will not miss our morning flight was to stay at an airport hotel the night before.
The OCAT is known to be the largest bus terminal in western Japan. Despite its name, the OCAT is actually not an air terminal. It is part of the major transportation hub in Osaka. On the 2nd floor of OCAT, you will find Airport Limousine buses arriving from and departing to Kansai International Airport and Itami Airport, as well as intercity express buses connecting Namba and cities across the country.
The one way fare from OCAT to Itami Airport is 640 Yen and the bus journey takes about 30 minutes depending on traffic conditions. You can purchase the bus ticket at the ticket vending machine at the bus stop located on the 2nd floor of OCAT. Please note that only cash will be accepted and ticket is valid only on the date of purchase. This means that you are not allowed to purchase your ticket in advance. For more information, please refer to the Osaka Airport Limousine bus website.
However, just like in Kyoto, we decided to make use of baggage storage service to store our luggage because we find it much more convenient and cheaper than coin lockers. Located on the 2nd floor of OCAT, just beside the bus stop, there is a Yamato Transport service center where you can store your luggage. The fee is 500 Yen per luggage for one day storage.
After leaving our luggage at Yamato Transport service counter, we made our way back to Osaka-Namba Station, heading off to Minoo city.
Minoo? So how do you get to Minoo? Minoo is a small laid back tourist town located in the outskirts of Osaka. To many people, Minoo may sound distant and difficult to get to, but it is actually not. The city is located just half an hour by train from central Osaka, making it a perfect day trip destination.
We boarded a Midosuji Subway Line train to Umeda Station. At Hankyu Umeda Station, we boarded the Hankyu Takarazuka Line train to Ishibashi Station. Transfer to Hankyu Minoo Line at Ishibashi Station to Minoo Station. The entire train journey takes about 50 minutes. Please note that the Hankyu Takarazuka Line is not covered the JR Pass. The one way fare from Osaka Namba Station to Hankyu Minoo Station cost 500 Yen (From Osaka Namba Station to Umeda Station - 230 Yen, from Hankyu Umeda Station to Hankyu Minoo Station - 270 Yen).
Surprisingly, Minoo is off the foreign tourist beaten track. The city is often overlooked by foreign tourists as Osaka is not well known for its natural scenery. Thus, Minoo Park is usually very quiet and empty, visited mostly by the locals .
It is a relatively easy hike to the waterfall. Built along the stream, the trail is nicely paved, well-maintained and not steep, making it wheelchair friendly. The trail can be divided into two parts. The first half of the trail passes through several shops, temples and other facilities, while the second half is a little steeper and more heavily wooded.
In the park, you will find rows of traditional wooden houses, tea houses and shops selling souvenirs where you can stop, take a rest and have a bite.
Although Minoo Park is great to visit at any time of the year, the best time to visit will still be late November. Lined with hundreds and thousands of maple trees, the Park is especially well known for its fall foliage.
Minoo park attracts visitors all year round, and can get a little crowded during spring and autumn. During autumn season, the leaves of maple trees turn brilliant shades of orange and red, covering the park in a rainbow of colors.
Located about 20 minutes up the path, you will find Minoo Insect Museum, one of the biggest insect museum in Japan. At Minoo Insect Museum, visitors will get see over 10,000 sample of insects and 200 live butterflies of about 30 species. The museum is opens from 10.00 am to 5.00 pm daily but is closed on Tuesday. Admission fee is 270 Yen for adults and free for children under 12 years old. However, we did not enter the museum because we were not interested to see insects.
Locals and tourists visit the park to enjoy walking on the main paved trail. The park offers some of the best nature scenery in Osaka, providing plenty of photo opportunities.
Passing the insect museum, about halfway up the trail, is the famous Ryuanji Temple, a Buddhist temple established in 658 AD. You will know that you have reached the temple once you see a red bridge across the trail. Among the few temple buildings that are found along the hiking trail, Ryuanji Temple is the most impressive.
Most of the park remained untouched, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, I enjoy walking through the hiking trail of Minoo Park, surrounded by lush greenery and colorful autumn leaves at the every turn. The park provides a tranquil surroundings to slow down, unwind and appreciate the beauty of the nature. This is where you will get enjoy a breath of fresh air in Japan's second busiest city, Osaka and forget everything for a moment.
Along the way, there are also some restaurants, vending machine, shops and restrooms for you to grab some bite and take a rest.
Occasionally, you will pass by tunnels that seem to be abandoned and forgotten. Other than the main hiking trail, the park also offers a number of other hiking trails for serious hikers, which lead into the hills beyond the waterfall.
You can dip your feet into the cooling waters at the base of the waterfall. This is also a great spot for picnic.
The trail ends at a viewing platform at the base of the waterfall, which was surprisingly crowded with tourists. The waterfall itself is stunning but not impressive if you compare to many other famous waterfalls in the world.
There are plenty of benches in front of the waterfall for you to sit and watch and listen to the sound of the water fall. Beside the waterfall, you will find a number of food stalls and restaurants where you can grab some food or a drink and just enjoy your time with the nature.
I love the peace and tranquility that the city offers. Minoo is a perfect place to relax and unwind without the rush and crowds. It is a place filled with natural beauty, making it a nature lover's paradise. I would recommend anyone who want to escape from the busy city life but have limited time to visit Minoo.
If you are interested to know more about our trip, you may want to check out our 7D6N Osaka - Kyoto - Nara - Kobe Trip Itinerary + Overview for the list of attractions that we had visited during our 7 days in Japan. For anyone planning your first trip to Japan but have no idea where to start, you should read my "How To Plan A Trip To Japan" post.
2 comments
Hello, may I know if the trail is ok to bring along a stroller? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteYes, the trail is stroller friendly.
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