Minoh Falls is a great place for a stroll, especially during the fall foliage season. The highlights of the park are the waterfalls about half an hour’s walk from Umeda station. Keep an eye out for Japanese macaques - they like stealing food and bags from hapless tourists!
Minoh Falls: NU sniper / Shutterstock.com
Urban Osaka can be overwhelming for the first-time visitor - it’s fast-paced, crowded, and full of what seems like endless shops and stimulation. If you need to escape the city, a fantastic place to head to is Minoh Falls. Located about half an hour north of Umeda, it’s a gorgeous waterfall sequestered at the end of the Takimichi hiking trail in Minoh Park. Think of it as Osaka’s counterpart to Tokyo’s Mt. Takao.
Getting to Minoh Falls requires a short 3 kilometer hike through a valley alongside the Minoh River. It’s not particularly long, nor is it especially difficult. The first half of the trail has a few temples worth visiting, which will help break up the walk. The trail is paved, and in terms of terrain, is gently undulating; the second half of the trail is slightly steeper but should not be very taxing. It takes most people about 45 minutes to walk there. It helps if you wear comfortable shoes. Don’t go in heels!
Minoh Falls is particularly beloved by locals and tourists alike as a fall foliage viewing spot, and sees a decent amount of foot traffic during autumn. At this time of the year, there’ll be temporary stalls along the trail selling the local speciality - deep-fried maple leaf tempura. This sweet, sesame-flavoured snack might sound odd, but it’s quite nice, and sugary enough to keep you going till the end of the hike.
To get here, you’ll take a train northwards of Umeda Station on the Hankyu Minoh Line to Minoh Station. The entrance to the trail is directly in front of the station - you can’t miss it. Sometimes inclement weather can cause trail damage, and occasionally the route to the falls is closed. If there have been typhoons recently, make sure you check online before you visit.
English name:
Minoh Falls
Japanese name:
箕面滝
English address:
Minoh-koen, Minoh-shi, 562-0002
Japanese address:
〒562-0002 箕面市箕面公園
Opening hours:
24h
Admission:
free
Nearest Transport:
Train: 45-minute walk from Minoh Station on the Hankyu Minoh Line.
Nearest Hotels:
:: Check availability and pricing for hotels near Minoh Falls on Booking.com or Agoda.com.
Telephone:
+81-72-723-1885
Website:
Official Website (Japanese)
Near To Here:
Minoh Falls is located in Osaka's northern district. See our complete list of things to do in the Osaka's northern district, including places to eat, nightlife and places to stay.
Where Are These Places Located?
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Osaka Vacation Checklist
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