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Minoh Falls
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Minoh River Dam
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Cherry blossoms at Katsuo-ji Temple
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Squirrel eating a pine cone
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Katsuo-ji Enchi Park
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Crimson autumn leaves at Ryuan-ji Temple
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Minoh Falls in early summer
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Monkey family
Meiji-no-Mori Minoh Recreation Forest
581.96ha
Elevation Lowest: 150 m / Average: 150–600 m / Highest: 600 m
Suburban forest with abundant nature
designated in commemoration of the centennial of the Meiji Restoration
Suburban forest with abundant nature
designated in commemoration of the centennial of the Meiji Restoration
- Newest information
- Area
- Activities
- Overview
- Latest Information
- Usage Guide
- Facility
- Map
- Location
- Access
(Distances and times are
provided as a guide only) - Management office
contact details - Information on Other Local
Tourist Attractions - Official Tourist Information
- Recreation Forest
Management Committee - Supporters
- Other
- Newest information
- CHECK
Please visit official tourism websites for the latest updates and information.
- Area
- Kinki Chugoku
- Activities
- Flower-viewing (species: Edohigan (Cerasus itosakura f. ascendens))(Includes surrounding area) Autumn leaf viewing (Outside the forest) Waterfall viewing Picnics (lawn area/park) Bicycle rental(Outside the forest) Guided tours (Outside the forest) Hands-on forestry / woodworking experience Forest therapy (therapy center) Part of Tokai Nature Trail (Includes surrounding area) Shrine / Temple (Outside the forest) (Payment required for use of facilities and participation in activities)
- Overview
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- Geographical/topographical features
- The Recreation Forest is located in northern Minoh City, at the southern end of the Hokusetsu Mountain Range. From the Osaka Plain, the mountains look like steep walls, and rivers flowing down the steep slopes cut deep, V-shaped valleys. Minoh Falls, known as one of Japan's most renowned waterfalls, can be found in one of these valleys. It is said that the waterfall was named "Minoh" (meaning "the face of a winnowing basket") because the water cascades dramatically off a rock cliff resembling a "mi" (a winnowing basket used in agriculture), and that this is the origin of Minoh as a place name. In the Hokusetsu Mountain Range, new strata (from the Osaka Group) randomly overlays older strata (from the Tamba Group), and many cracks are found running north-south in the old strata. It is believed that these topographic and geological features are associated with the fact that communities of the cherry species, Edohigan (Cerasus itosakura f. ascendens), are found in this area.
- Historical/cultural features
- The Recreation Forest consists of land that was formerly a domain's estate (Settsu Province) and the estates of two temples (Ryuan-ji Temple* / Katsuo-ji Temple* ).
* Ryuan-ji Temple: This temple was originally founded as Minoh-ji Temple by a mountain ascetic, En no Gyoja, in 650 CE. To this day, Ryuan-ji Temple serves as the central training hall for Shugendo, which is based on mountain worship. Ascetic Buddhist monks gather from all over Japan to take part in large-scale "goma" (holy fire) services in April, July and November every year.
* Katsuo-ji Temple: The temple was founded in 727 CE. It is the 23rd holy site in the 33 Saikoku pilgrimage sites, and is also famous for helping its visitors win in competitive situations.
The Minoh River gorge's dense maple foliage has been a renowned autumn-leaves viewing spot since around the early 18th century.
Japan's first long-distance nature trail (the Tokai Nature Trail / 1,697 km long), connecting the Meiji-no-Mori Minoh Quasi-National Park and the Meiji-no-Mori Takao Quasi-National Park, was completed in 1974.
The Minoh River Dam (47 m high / 222.5 m long) located at the center of the national forest is a rockfill dam constructed in 1982. It has become a tourist spot due to its harmonious natural appearance. - Climate, flora and fauna
- The forest of Minoh is affected by the warm Osaka Bay, the cold seasonal winds in winter and complicated topographic and geological features.
About 1,100 species of plants, including ferns, have been found in the forest. The forest has developed a rich ecological system that more than 3,000 species of insects call home in addition to a large variety of wild birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles. It is known as one of Japan's three major insect habitats, along with Takao in Tokyo and Kibune in Kyoto, and the habitat of the Nihon Zaru (Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata)) in the forest has been designated as a natural monument. - Attractions
- The area was designated as the Meiji-no-Mori Minoh Quasi-National Park and the Meiji-no-Mori Minoh Recreation Forest in 1967 in commemoration of the centennial of the Meiji Restoration.
Only about one hour from central Osaka by train or car, the forest has a rich ecological system, offering hiking trails, nature study trails and other facilities for getting in touch with nature.
The Minoh Visitor Center in Masanochaya Enchi Park also provides a variety of displays and services.
Forest visitors can enjoy the beauty of the gorge, including Minoh Falls (a drop of 33 m), which has been selected as one of Japan's 100 best waterfalls. Many historical sites redolent with history and culture can also be seen, such as Ryuan-ji Temple and Katsuo-ji Temple.
Many hiking trails leading from the foot of the mountain to the quasi-national park have signposts―a reassurance for hikers. - Other
- The EXPO '90 Minoh Kinennomori Picnic Site was built in the Recreation Forest in commemoration of the International Garden and Greenery Exposition held in Osaka, Japan in 1990. The site has a variety of areas, such as "Flower Valley" and "Lawn Field," as well as various facilities, including an "Observation Tower."
- Latest Information
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- Regular events
- See the management committee's website and the pamphlet published by the Minoh Visitor Center
- Warnings (Dangerous areas)
- Please be aware that some parts of the footpaths are currently impassable due to damage caused by a typhoon.
- Usage Guide
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- Entrance fee
- Free
- Operating hours and seasons
- [Katsuo-ji Enchi Park]
8: 30 am – 5: 00 pm, 365 days a year - [EXPO '90 Minoh Kinennomori Picnic Site]
10: 00 am – 4: 00 pm
Closed on Tuesdays (Wednesday if Tuesday is a national holiday), The year-end and New Year holidays. - Staffed facilities such as administration buildings
- [Minoh Visitor Center]
10: 00 am – 4: 00 pm
* Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays from April to November: 9: 30 am – 5: 00 pm Closed on Tuesdays (Wednesday if Tuesday is a national holiday), The year-end and New Year holidays. - Accommodation options
- Accommodation facilities in Minoh City, campsites (some require a fee)
- Facility
- Toilets (Includes surrounding area) Walking trail (Includes surrounding area) Parking lot (Includes surrounding area) (Fee required in autumn) Observation platform (Includes surrounding area) Visitor center (staffed only) Shop (Includes surrounding area) Restaurant (Outside the forest) Campsite and/or cabins (Outside the forest) Resource center/Museum (Outside the forest) Accommodation facilities (Hotels/Japanese inns) (Outside the forest) Hot Spring (Outside the forest) (Payment required for use of facilities and participation in activities)
- Map
- Location
- Minoh City, Osaka Prefecture
- Access
(Distances and times are provided as a guide only) -
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Parking lot capacity / parking charges- ・Minoh Visitor Center: Free parking for about 20 vehicles
- ・EXPO '90 Minoh Kinennomori Picnic Site: Free parking for 113 vehicles
- ・Katsuo-ji Enchi Park: Free parking for about 30 vehicles
- ・Minoh Falls Dainichi Parking Lot: Parking for 70 vehicles (paid depending on the season)
- Nearby tourism facilities
- Minoh Station (15 minutes on foot) ― Minoh Park Insects Museum / Ryuan-ji Temple (about 25 minutes on foot) ― Minoh Falls (50 minutes on foot) ― Minoh Vistor Center (about 30 minutes on foot) ― Katsuo-ji Temple
- Management office contact details
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Kyoto/Osaka Forest Administration OfficeTEL：075-414-9822
- Information on Other Local Tourist Attractions
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The Minoh Park Insects Museum [External link]
- Official Tourist Information
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Minoh City Tourism Association [External link]
- Recreation Forest Management Committee
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Meiji-no-Mori Minoh Recreation Forest Management CommitteeSecretariat: NPO Minoh Sanroku Conservation Committee [External link]
TEL : 072-724-3615
FAX：072-724-3615
- Supporters
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Japan Forest Foundation (Osaka Branch) [External link]
- Other
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