Minoh

Travel Guide

Minoh
Photo by Elaine Tan
Photo by Yagiza Neo
Photo by Brian Jocson
Photo by Brian Jocson
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

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Rurikei Onsen

Visitors to Rurikei Onsen like its mountain views and breweries, and Meiji Memorial Forest Minoo Quasi-National Park is a sight worth a stop.

Rurikei Onsen
APA Hotel & Resort Osaka Namba Ekimae Tower
APA Hotel & Resort Osaka Namba Ekimae Tower
3 out of 5
1-2-13 Minatomachi, Naniwa-ku, Osaka, Osaka
The price is €66 per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
€66
includes taxes & fees
16 Mar - 17 Mar
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and 2 restaurants. Popular attractions Dotonbori and Tsutenkaku Tower are located ...
9/10 Wonderful! (652 reviews)
"Very good location, brand new hotel, good facility and amnesties"

Reviewed on 8 Mar 2025

APA Hotel & Resort Osaka Namba Ekimae Tower
Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA
Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA
4 out of 5
1-1 Ofukacho, Kita, Osaka, Osaka
The price is €147 per night from 12 Mar to 13 Mar
€147
includes taxes & fees
12 Mar - 13 Mar
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9/10 Wonderful! (4,071 reviews)
"good location"

Reviewed on 9 Mar 2025

Hotel Hankyu RESPIRE OSAKA
Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
3 out of 5
491 Zaimokucho, Shimogyo, Kyoto, Kyoto
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is €124 per night from 14 Mar to 15 Mar
€124
includes taxes & fees
14 Mar - 15 Mar
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Kyoto. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a sauna. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (2,772 reviews)
"We really enjoyed our stay here. It was really nice and the amenities and breakfast was superb. Staff was nice and friendly. They helped us with shipping our luggage too. If you have tattoos like me (I have a whole sleeve), be ready to buy patches to cover them before you get in the onsen. It took ..."

Reviewed on 7 Mar 2025

Onyado Nono Kyotoshichijo Natural Hot Springs
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.
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! (273 reviews)
"Amazing hotel in easy walking distance to so many shopping and transportation areas. The staff was very helpful, and our 2-bedroom had its own laundry machine. Definitely try the hotel games, especially the hidden room!"

Reviewed on 5 Mar 2025

Mimaru Osaka Namba Station
Eslead Hotel  Namba Daikokucho
Eslead Hotel Namba Daikokucho
4 out of 5
2-4-19, Osaka, Osaka
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, premium bedding, and in-room soaking tubs. Popular attractions Tsutenkaku Tower and Dotonbori are located ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (89 reviews)
"It is close to a JR station and a metro station, convenient to get around Osaka and to places outside Osaka. The area is also quiet, the room is clean and appliances provided were thoughtful and useful. There are also food places nearby. We enjoyed our stay and would stay again."

Reviewed on 18 Jan 2025

Eslead Hotel Namba Daikokucho
STAYAT OSAKA SHINSAIBASHI east
STAYAT OSAKA SHINSAIBASHI east
3 out of 5
1-14-2 Minamisenba, Cho, Osaka, Osaka
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Osaka. Enjoy free WiFi, laundry facilities, and satellite TV channels. Popular attractions Dotonbori and Osaka Castle are located ...
7.8/10 Good! (83 reviews)
"For people who doesn't understand Japanese, it was difficult"

Reviewed on 28 Dec 2024

STAYAT OSAKA SHINSAIBASHI east
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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