Minoh Falls (箕面大滝, Minō Ōtaki, also spelled Minoo Falls) is a 33-metre waterfall in Minoo Park, a forested valley on the northern edge of Osaka. A pleasant, mostly paved riverside trail of about 2.7 km leads to the falls from Hankyu Minoo Station, making it one of the easiest nature escapes from the city.
The valley is famous for its autumn colours and for momiji tempura, maple leaves fried in sweet batter, sold along the trail.
Plan your visit to Minoh Falls
- Entry: free
- Open 24 hours (trail is unlit after dark)
- Time needed: 2–3 hours
History of Minoh Falls
Sacred mountain: The Minoo valley has long been a place of mountain worship. According to tradition, Ryuan-ji Temple on the trail was founded in the 7th century by En no Gyoja, the legendary founder of Shugendo mountain asceticism.
The name: The name is often said to come from the falls’ resemblance to a mino, a traditional winnowing basket.
Protected nature: The area became part of Meiji no Mori Minoo Quasi-National Park in 1967, and Minoh Falls was later chosen as one of Japan’s “100 Notable Waterfalls”.
Attractions at Minoh Falls
- Minoh Falls: The 33-metre waterfall at the end of the trail, with a viewing area and benches in front of the plunge pool.
- Ryuan-ji Temple: A temple halfway along the trail, free to enter, with a special paid garden viewing for a few days in autumn.
- Minoo Park Insect Museum: A small museum near the start of the trail with insect displays and a butterfly greenhouse.
- The riverside trail: Stone bridges, small shrines and maple trees line the Minoo River all the way to the falls.
- Momiji tempura shops: More than 20 shops on the approach sell this local snack.
Things to Do at Minoh Falls
- Walk to the falls: Allow 40–50 minutes each way from Hankyu Minoo Station. The trail is mostly paved and climbs gently.
- See the autumn leaves: The park peaks from mid-November into early December; around the falls the best colour usually comes from late November.
- Try momiji tempura: Buy a bag on the way up; it can sell out on busy autumn weekends.
- Hike on to Katsuoji: Fit walkers can continue on mountain trails to Katsuoji Temple; check the route and daylight first.
- Leave the monkeys alone: Wild Japanese macaques live in the valley. Feeding them has been banned by city ordinance since 2010, so keep food out of sight.
Minoh Falls – Entry Eligibility and Open Timings
- Admission: free; the park and trail are open at all times.
- Insect Museum: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM (last entry 4:30 PM), closed Tuesdays; adults ¥280, junior high students and younger free.
- Tip: The trail is not lit, so plan to be back before dark, especially in autumn and winter.
How Long to Spend at Minoh Falls
Allow 2 to 3 hours for the walk to the falls and back, with stops at Ryuan-ji and the momiji tempura shops. Add a few hours if you continue to Katsuoji Temple.
How to Get There
- By train: From Osaka-umeda Station, take the Hankyu Takarazuka Line to Ishibashi handai-mae Station, then change to the Hankyu Minoo Line for Minoo Station (about 25 minutes in total, ¥280). The trail starts a short walk from the station.
- By taxi: Taxis from Minoo Station can take you to the upper end of the valley near the falls if you prefer to walk only one way.
- By car: There is limited parking near the upper end of the valley, and roads get busy in autumn; the train is easier.
Arriving at Kansai Airport? Book a fixed-price airport transfer straight to your hotel in Osaka.
Eateries Nearby Minoh Falls
Most food options are along the trail and around Minoo Station:
- Momiji tempura shops: Lining the approach from Minoo Station, many also sell drinks and snacks.
- Trailside cafés and teahouses: Small shops along the valley serve tea, ice cream and simple meals, with longer hours in autumn.
- Minoo Station area: Cafés and casual restaurants, plus convenience stores for picnic supplies.
- Minoh Beer: The local craft brewery’s beers are sold in shops around the station.
Other Attractions Nearby Minoh Falls
- Katsuoji Temple: The daruma-filled “temple of winner’s luck”, in the hills above the valley.
- Cup Noodles Museum Osaka Ikeda: A free, hands-on museum one stop along the Hankyu line in Ikeda.
- Expo ’70 Commemorative Park: A huge park in Suita with the Tower of the Sun.
- Umeda Sky Building: Finish the day with city views from the Floating Garden Observatory in Umeda.
Before your trip
- Find hotels in Osaka: stay near Umeda for the quickest Hankyu trains to Minoo.
- Get a Japan eSIM before you land, for trail maps and train times.
Minoh Falls is a 33-metre waterfall at the end of a gentle forest walk in Minoo Park, only about 25 minutes by train from Umeda. It’s free, open year-round and at its most beautiful in late autumn, when the maples turn red and the momiji tempura shops are busiest.
Make a day of it by continuing to Katsuoji Temple, or stop at the Cup Noodles Museum in Ikeda on the way back.