Minoh
Minoh is a city in northwestern Osaka Prefecture, Japan.
As of 31 January 2023, the city had an estimated population of 139,118 in 62,451 households and a population density of 2900 persons per km2. The total area of the city is 47.90 square kilometres (18.49 sq mi). It is a suburban city of Osaka City and a part of the Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe metropolitan area. Its name is commonly romanized as "Minō" or "Minoo"; however, the city government officially uses the transliteration "Minoh" in romaji.
Getting to Minoh
Take the Hankyu Takarazuka line to Ishibashi and change to the Minoh Line. Railway buffs take note: this was among the first pieces of the Hankyu railway system. You can also take the Subway Midosuji (Red) line to Senri-Chuo station and then at bus stop 11 you can catch either the 19 or 20 bus to Minoo Station (箕面駅). The 19 takes you past a hospital and takes about 10 minutes longer than the 20.
Worth seeing
Minō Koen 箕面公園 (follow the signposts and hikers from the train station). Quiet, secluded, heavily wooded Minō Park is a great place to get away from the concrete and bustle of the big city. Easy walking paths follow a burbling brook up to a 33-m-tall waterfall, where wild monkeys spend time when they see fit. You may also see deer. The park features cedars and momiji (Japanese red maple).
Things to do
There are a number of things to do in Minoo. The most popular place to go is up into Mino Park to visit the waterfall. In 2011 an Ashiyu (foot onsen) opened next to Minoo Station. It is lovely. There are also a number of regular hot springs you can visit as well. On the path up to the waterfall you pass Minoh Kanko Hotel - it features a large run-down and expensive onsen (hot-spring) resort.
Where to eat
The local snack and souvenir specialty is momiji no tenpura, small maple leaves slowly deep fried in batter. They are sweet and crunchy. They are usually sold in small bags or cups and generally more delicious when warm. The area close to the waterfall has several shops selling a variety of food. If you are not interested in soba, udon or fish you should bring a sandwich or a picnic with you.
Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Wikimedia Commons (see Commons), Wikimedia Commons.