While Osaka is a massive metropolis, riding a train for under an hour takes you to amazing destinations. Many of these are full of nature and cultural activities in almost all directions. Its lovely walk, many museums, and local specialties make Minoh (็ฎ้ข), in Osaka’s north, famous for its beautiful Minoh Falls.
Katsuoji, a serene temple dedicated to the concept of victory, is just a bus away from the falls. These two spots alone are worth the trip out.
However, Minoh is more than just those two power spots. With Osaka Metro opening Minoh-Kayano station on the Midosuji Line, there’s now a new way to get to Minoh. This also means other locations to enjoy become more accessible.
Following are ten interesting spots in Minoh – some famous and some less so. All are accessible from either the Midosuji Line or Hankyu’s Minoh Line.
1. Minoh Falls
Let’s not bury the lede. Minoh Falls is what most people travel to Minoh for. It’s accessible by the Minoh Sightseeing Bus or a low-difficulty hike from Minoh station up the Taki-michi hiking route. This hike is known for its fresh air as it takes you through a forest of skyscraper-tall trees. These trees make a canopy, creating a wonderful komorebi, and are especially beautiful in fall as the leaves turn brown.
Minoh often hosts illumination evenings, including the waterfall, making it a wonderful hike for nighttime photography, too. The hike has plenty of stores, cafes, and snack areas, but bring cash and a trash bag. Or pack for a small picnic!
2. Yamamoto Coffee House
Almost halfway up Taki-michi lies a large, Western-looking building. While it may look closed at first glance (and it is closed on Mondays), if you see signs and white tables outside, they’re open for business!
The building’s interior is in immaculate condition, with retro-style coffee brewers and ornate objects located throughout. They make a lovely morning set that is perfect as a mid-hike snack.
It’s an amazing, value-focused break spot as you can enjoy your meal beside the river that runs adjacent. You’ll also get a drip bag of coffee to take home if you order a set meal. Afterward, there’s a free museum right next door!
3. Gakumon no Michi Jishuudou
Walking just over the bridge next to Yamamoto Coffee House takes you to Jishuudou, a free, albeit smaller, building dedicated to some of Japan’s most successful industry leaders. This museum is English-accessible, with flyers and translations of the main sections available. However, some parts are Japanese-only. Plus, it has a wonderful garden out front that makes for a good photo.
This isn’t the only museum in Minoh, however. The Minoh Park Insectarium (not the only insect museum in Japan) is also nearby, a little closer to the start of the hiking trail. As a free and quick detour, Jishuudou is worth stopping by.
4. Tanpopo
Located a few minutes past the start of Takimichi, you’ll find Dandelion or Tanpopo, a second-hand store that supports a Minoh City disability NPO. There are always new items flowing through, with prices so good it’s worth taking a trip to Minoh for Tanpopo alone.
While it mostly has clothing and dinnerware, electronics, and even musical instruments pop up. Tanpopo is closed on weekends, as are many other stores in Takimichi. Factor this in for when you travel there next.
5. Momijiya
Momiji tempura, or fried maple leaves, is one of the two most popular specialty items Minoh’s townspeople make. The sweet treats work wonders as a light snack. You’ll find them in many flavors, with shopkeepers making them out front. They won’t fill you up but make for a fun treat to enjoy as you hike.
Momijiya is one of these locations right at the start, but choose any store that interests you with the flavors you like. Cobeni is another good choice if you’re looking for souvenir-sized versions of these to take home.
6. Derailleur Brew Works Yamano Fumoto TAP ROOM
One of Japan’s more famous craft beers is Minoh Beer, and unsurprisingly, it’s available at many stores on the way to Minoh Falls (and throughout Osaka in general). However, next to Hankyu Minoh’s station ticket gates, you’ll find a cafe that sells many other craft beers.
They also have light food, such as cakes, and a small book library. With bilingual staff there to help or chat with you about Minoh, it’s a great place to start or end your trip.
7. Ryuanji
Ryuanji is located in Takimichi, another famous temple in the region. While Katsuoji overshadows it, this temple is important due to its dedication to luck and its invention of the Japanese lottery.
While it does have a free area to explore with a relaxation area, the paid area adds additional halls. During festival season, you’ll often see bands performing in the picnic area out front.
8. YUZUYA
Minoh’s second famous food is yuzu, to the point that Minoh’s mascot (Takinomichi Yuzuru) has a yuzu for a head. You can find yuzu-related foods everywhere near the beginning of Taki-michi, but Yuzuya specializes in it.
With three locations in Takimichi alone, each focuses on a different price point. One of these locations is right next to Minoh Falls itself, with the yuzu-flavored soft-serve again worth the hike alone.
9. Minoh Q’s Mall
Going to Minoh-Kayano Station instead will put you out at Q’s Mall, Minoh Branch. With three major buildings (East, West, and Centre), complemented by an outdoor performance area littered with more stores, it’s easy to spend hours there.
It’s an oddly fantastic place to do lots of shopping all in one place. 2nd Street is there for fashion bargains, the Muji is massive with market stall events, and Joshin is there for electronics. The large food court is a great place to get a feed before you start (after you finish) your journey. Thanks to the large bus terminal located here also, you can hop a direct bus over to…
10. Katsuoji
Saving the other major place for last, Hankyu Minoh and Minoh-Kayano stations have bus terminals that will take you directly to Katsuoji. With a cafe and gift shop, it would be easy to mistake it for a commercial complex. Yet, inside you’ll find a tranquil walking route (provided you go on a rainy day with fewer people) with lovely views, photo opportunities, a souvenir postcard stamp rally, and thousands upon thousands of daruma to admire.
You can purchase daruma in varying sizes, write a wish on them, bathe them in sands on site, and fill in one eye to symbolize an objective you want to complete in the next year. When you’ve hit that goal, return the daruma and leave it in one of the dedication areas. The daruma have the kanji for victory (ๅ) written on them. From there, buy another daruma and do it again! While this loop seems endless, having a physical entity of what goal you’re attempting to manifest sitting on a zabuton in your room is nice.
There’s much to see and do in Minoh, yet you can do it all in one day. During certain seasons when the illuminations are active, this is made easier thanks to Katsuoji’s longer opening hours. Despite the order of this article, it might be better to go there first, so plan your trip appropriately. The walk from Katsuoji to Minoh Falls provides a hiking challenge. However, this is not easy and is only recommended if you have the stamina and a few hours to spare.
Conclusion
Of course, Minoh has more than this list alone. Find the Minoh Tourist Information Centre at Hankyu Minoh Station and enjoy what Northern Osaka has to offer!
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