Minoh (Minoo) Park is a beautiful forest area north of Osaka. This is perhaps the best place in the Kansai Prefecture to come out and see the fall foliage. I highly recommend coming out this way to see the autumn colors throughout the month of November.
My wife and I recently visited Minoh and we had a great time. It takes about 30 minutes to get to Minoh from Umeda Station via Hankyu Railway. As soon as you arrive you will be greeted by many vendors selling various tasty eats and crowds of fellow sightseers. The most eye catching and worth trying treat was the momiji tempura : maple leaf deep fried in batter- do give it a shot! And if you haven’t tried a yuzu drink (a citrus fruit) before don’t pass your chance. The real highlight to coming to Minoh is of course the fall foliage:
It will take about 1.5 hrs to walk the path round-trip. Along the way you will find various noteworthy landmarks too:
The walking trail begins at the foot of the park and goes for about two miles. There is a beautiful river that runs alongside the walking path which leads to a a nice waterfall that extends to over 100 feet in height(30 meters). The vibrant colors and beautiful stream really make for a memorable time.
You will run into several shops, temples and other buildings towards the beginning of the path. There is said to be a large population of wild monkeys, though I did not personally see any during this trip.
Minoh is a great place to go if you are looking to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Expect to spend at least a couple of hours here to really enjoy the beautiful sights and goodies found around Minoh.
Don’t miss your chance to check out this beautiful place if you visit the Kansai Prefecture area. Happy travels!