Minoo Park

In short

An Osaka Prefectural park covering 83.8 hectares along the valley of the Minoo River. Mount Minoo has long been known for its waterfall and autumn foliage, and the prefectural park was established in 1898. The prefectural Minoo Park and its surrounding forests form the "Meiji no Mori Minoo Quasi-National Park," and in Japan, Meiji no Mori quasi-national parks exist in only two locations: Mount Takao in Tokyo and Minoo. Minoo Park is also selected as one of "Japan's Top 100 Historical Parks."

• ​Minoo Falls Deep in the Park​​: Deep in the northern part of the park lies Minoo Falls, cascading from a height of 33 meters. It is the only waterfall in Osaka Prefecture selected for "Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls"
• ​A Valley of Autumn Foliage and Cherry Blossoms​​: The valley changes its appearance with each season, showing fresh greenery in spring, cool retreats in summer, and colorful foliage in autumn. In 1929, 553 wild cherry trees (yamazakura) and 180 Yoshino cherry trees were planted
• ​The Insect Museum and Ryuan-ji Temple​​: In the southern area of the park, there is an insect museum and Ryuan-ji Temple. Visitors can learn about the insects of Minoo's forest, which was once called one of "Japan's Three Great Insect Treasuries," at the Minoo Park Insect Museum

History and Highlights

​Minoo Park​ is an Osaka Prefectural park covering 83.8 hectares along the valley of the Minoo River. Mount Minoo has long been known for its waterfall and autumn foliage, and during the Edo period, many people visited it as a destination that combined pilgrimage and recreation. Originally forest land belonging to Ryuan-ji Temple, the mountain forest outside the temple grounds became state-owned land in 1871. On May 20, 1898, Osaka Prefecture received a free transfer of the land from the national government, establishing the prefectural Minoo Park. A bronze statue of the prefectural assembly member who proposed the park's establishment in the assembly in 1895, stands near Meotobashi Bridge along the path to the waterfall, with "Founder of Minoo Park" engraved on its pedestal.

In 1956, it was designated as the "Place of Scenic Beauty: Mount Minoo" and concurrently as the "Natural Monument: Mount Minoo Monkey Habitat." In 1967, in commemoration of the Meiji Centennial, 963 hectares combining the prefectural Minoo Park and its surrounding forests became the Meiji no Mori Minoo Quasi-National Park. In Japan, Meiji no Mori quasi-national parks exist in only two locations: Mount Takao in Tokyo and Minoo. The quasi-national park is home to approximately 1,100 species of plants and 3,000 species of insects, and also serves as the western starting point of the Tokai Nature Trail. Minoo Park is also selected as one of "Japan's Top 100 Historical Parks."

Sights and Activities

• ​Minoo Falls Deep in the Park​​: Deep in the northern part of the park lies Minoo Falls, cascading from a height of 33 meters. It is the only waterfall in Osaka Prefecture selected for "Japan's Top 100 Waterfalls"; please refer to the Minoo Falls guide for details.
• ​A Valley of Autumn Foliage and Cherry Blossoms​​: The valley changes its appearance with each season, showing fresh greenery in spring, cool retreats in summer, and colorful foliage in autumn. Osaka Prefecture also made efforts to make it a cherry blossom spot surpassing even its autumn leaves, planting 553 wild cherry trees (yamazakura) and 180 Yoshino cherry trees in 1929.
• ​The Insect Museum and Ryuan-ji Temple​​: In the southern area of the park, there is an insect museum and Ryuan-ji Temple. Visitors can learn about the insects of Minoo's forest, which was once called one of "Japan's Three Great Insect Treasuries," at the Minoo Park Insect Museum.

Walking Tips

The park begins about 400 meters north of Hankyu Minoo Station. From Ichinohashi Bridge at the entrance to Minoo Falls, a park path along the valley stretches for approximately 2 kilometers, commonly known as the "Takimichi Path." It takes about a 15-minute walk from the station to the insect museum, and another 30 minutes from there to the falls. Souvenir shops line the path from the station area. A specialty sweet of Minoo is "momiji tempura" (deep-fried maple leaves). Except for permitted vehicles, general vehicles including bicycles are not allowed inside the park. Please refrain from approaching the monkeys or feeding them.