Minoh National Park Maple Festival 2022

The Maple Festival is held in Minoh Park, one of the best places in the Kansai region for autumn foliage.

The Maple Festival is held in Minoh Park, one of the best places in the Kansai region for autumn foliage.
Every year, the “Minoh National Park Maple Festival” is held in Minoh Park, one of the best places in Kansai for autumn foliage, at the perfect time, just when the autumn leaves change colour.

In 2022, the festival will be held from Saturday, 12 November, to Sunday, 4 December.

During the festival, there are many events to enjoy both day and night, such as “Forest Yoga” at the Saiji Temple, a hiking tour with volunteer guides, and the “Autumn Foliage Light-up” with a spectacular view of twinkling lights and autumn colours.


※ Although crowds are to be expected you can still enjoy a full autumn day in Minoh avoiding the traffic jams by using either trains or buses.

Recommended routes

【Day trip】

A gentle stroll that follows the waterfall path offering views of the colourful autumn leaves.
From Minoh Station take a bus to the Minoh Great Falls and the Katsuoji temple and then return to the Minoh Station.

【Night trip】

Take a bus from the Minoh Station to the illuminated Katsuoji temple and the Otaki Waterfall and then return to the Minoh Station by walking along the illuminated waterfall Path.



〇 For more information on the Maple Tree Festival, click here.
Minoh Stroll (Puratto Minoh Sanpo)

Traffic Regulations during the Autumn Foliage Season

On Saturdays, Sundays and national holidays during the fall foliage season, the Minoh Driveway (Prefectural Road No. 43 Toyonaka-Kameoka Route) is restricted to one-way traffic to ease traffic congestion (this also applies to bicycles).
During the autumn foliage season from November to mid-December, heavy traffic congestion can be expected on the roads near the Prefectural Minoh Park.

Please use public transportation or the bus tours mentioned above when visiting Minoh Park.


【Date and time of the tour】
・Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays from November 12 to December 4 (9 days) 9:00-18:00

【Section】
・Minoh Driveway (Prefectural Road No. 43 Toyonaka-Kameoka Route) from Minoh Sanso Kaze no Mori to the three-way intersection under the dam.

【Restrictions】
・One-way traffic will be restricted to one-way traffic (northbound) on the above section.

【Precautions】
・During the above period, all day long, you cannot enter the Katsuo-ji Temple parking lot from the west side via the three-way junction under the dam from the direction of Minoh Station. (Entry to Katsuo-ji Temple by car is only possible from the Katsuo-ji Temple entrance (eastward) on the Ibaraki Nose Route.)
・Entry to Katsuo-ji Temple is only possible from the Minoh Station direction (east side) on the Ibaraki Nose Route.
・The Saigahara forest road is open as a one-way road toward Minoh Station (facing south) only during the above-mentioned restricted period.
・One-way traffic restrictions may be lifted even during the restricted period, depending on traffic conditions.
・Satsukiyama driveway (toward Ikeda City) is toll-free (free of charge during certain hours). (Free of charge during certain hours).
・Motorcycles are prohibited from passing through the Minoh Driveway all day long.

All vehicles (except cabs) are prohibited from 22:00 - 5:00.

〇 Details of traffic restrictions
Minoh Road Map (PDF)

The events of the Minoh National Park Maple Festival 2022

1. Minoh sightseeing hikes with volunteer guides
2. "Forest Yoga Event" to relax both mind and body
3. "Autumn Foliage Light-up" with twinkling lights and autumn foliage
4. "Autumn Special Viewing" of Houokaku, Kyakuden, and Karesansui at the Ryoanji temple
5. Minohsan Nanokaichi: special shopping deals on the 7th of every month!
6. "Minoh Autumn Foliage Viewing Bus Tour" to visit some of the most spectacular spots in the Kansai region.
7. Limited operation "Minoh Autumn Foliage Bus Tour Twilight Express" that visits the entire fantastic world of autumn colours in one go.

(1) Minoh sightseeing hiking with volunteer guides

Free, open-access hikes through the mountains and towns of Minoh with a guide.
This event is ideal for hiking beginners.

◆Part 1: "Admire the red maple trees at the Minoh River Dam in full autumn leaf colour"
【Date】
Saturday, 12 November

【Route】
・Minoh Station → Saigahara Forest Road → Masano-chaya → Minoh River Dam→ Hitome-senbon (approx. 11 km in total)

◆ Part 2: "Enjoy the remaining autumn leaves in the forest!"
【Date】
・Sunday, 4 December
【Route】
・Minoh Station → Saigahara forest road → Masano-chaya → Jigokudani → Ryoanji temple’s square (approx. 7 km in total)

(2) Relax both mind and body at the “Forest Yoga Event”

Forest yoga sessions are held at four times during the Maple Tree Festival to help you relax both mind and body.
Two types of yoga sessions are held in the evening whilst overlooking illumination of the autumn leaves.
The "Gentle Relaxing Yoga (Yasashiku Uruou Yoga)" class is especially for beginners.
The "Refreshing and Calming Yoga (Sukkiri Sawayaka Yoga) " class is recommended for those who want more physical exercise.


【Dates】
"Refreshing and Calming Yoga (Sukkiri Sawayaka Yoga)"
・Friday, 18 November, 17:00 to 19:00
・Saturday, 26 November, 17:00 to 19:00

"Gentle Relaxing Yoga (Yasashiku Uruou Yoga)"
・Saturday, 19 November, 17:00 to 19:00
・Sunday, 4 December, 17:00 to 19:00

【Location】
・Shotengu Saikouji temple
・Approximately 5 minutes walk from the Hankyu Minoh Station

【Eligibility】
・Women over 18 years old

【Capacity】
・15 people per session ( first come, first served )

【Participation fee】
・1,200 yen

【What to bring】
・Wear comfortable clothes and bring a yoga mat (available for rental).

(3) "Autumn Foliage Light-up" (twinkling lights and autumn foliage)

〇 Minoh Park (Ryoanji temple and Saikoji temple) Night light-up

【Description】
・The Kannon-do Hall and Hououkaku Pavilion at the Saikoji temple and Ryoanji temple, famous for their autumn foliage, will be lit up, and tape lights will be installed along the waterfall path to create a wonderful illuminated nighttime waterfall path.

【Dates and times】
・Saturday 12 November to Sunday 4 December
(Sunset - 21:30)


〇 Katsuoji temple Special Light-up

【Description】
・The temple's precincts will be lit up to create a magical world that cannot usually be seen.

【Dates and times】
・Saturday, Sunday and public holidays from 12 November (Sat) to 4 December (Sun). (Sunset - 20:30 (last admission 20:00))


〇 Minoh Great Falls Light-up

【Description】
・The Minoh Great Falls will be illuminated during this period.

【Dates and times】
・Saturday, 12 November to Sunday, 4 December
(Sunset - 21:30)

(4) “Autumn Special Viewing” of the Houououkaku, Kyakuden, and Karesansui at Ryoanji temple

During the Maple Festival, a special viewing of the Hououkaku, Kyakuden and Karesansui (dry landscape garden) will be possible.
Please enjoy them together with the spectacular view of Mount Minoh in full autumn leaf colour.

【Date and time for visits】
・Saturday, 12 November to Sunday, 4 December.
・10:30-16:00 (last admission at 15:30)

【Admission fees】
・General: 500 yen/ Elementary, junior high and high school students: 300 yen
※ Free of charge for children under primary school age.

(5) Minohsan Nanokaichi: special shopping deals on the 7th of every month!

On the 7th of every month, the Minohsan (Mt. Minoh) Seven-Day Market is held in the vicinity of Hankyu Minoh Station and Takimichi.
Since ancient times, the 7th of every month has been the day of the Goma service at Takianji temple, and the area around the temple used to be crowded as a market.
The Minoyasan Nanokaichi revived the liveliness of the Monzen Market in modern times.


【Date】
・Every 7th of the month

〇For more information on the “Minosan Seven-Day Market”, click here.
https://nanokaichi.com/

(6) Limited operation "Minoh Autumn Foliage Viewing Bus Tour" to visit some of the most spectacular spots in the Kansai region.

This bus tour is the best way to visit the Saikoji, Ryoanji and Katsuki temples, as well as the Minoh Great Falls all in one day!
You will visit all the most famous sites without traffic jams or other restrictions.

【Dates】
・Saturday, Sunday and public holidays from Saturday, 12 November to Sunday, 4 December: 9 bus trips per day between 10:00 and 15:00
・However, there will only be 5 trips between 10:00 and 15:00 on Thursday, 24 November and Friday, 25 November.

【Route】
・Hankyu Minoh Station ⇒ Minoh Great Falls Dainichi parking lot ⇒ Katsuoji temple ⇒ Hankyu Minoh Station

【Fares】
・1,500 yen ( includes a ticket to enter the Katsuoji temple)
※ Free of charge for children under three years of age who do not use a seat.
※ Includes consumption tax and special travel insurance.

【Tickets】
・Please purchase tickets from the booking website.
※ Requested departure times will depend on availability as the number of seats on each trip are limited.

〇 For detailed timetables and to purchase tickets, click here.
Tabi Plus One

(7) Limited operation "Minoh Autumn Foliage Bus Tour Twilight Express" that visits the entire fantastic world of autumn colours in one go

This bus tour first goes from the Minoh Station to the famous Katsuoji temple.
Then on the way back, you get off at the Dainichi parking lot and go sightseeing by foot along the waterfall path from the Minoh Great Falls to Minoh Station.
Enjoy the autumn colours of Minoh by visiting the illuminated Minoh Great Falls, Ryoanji temple and Saikoji temple.

【Dates】
・Saturday, Sunday and public holidays from Saturday, 12 November to Sunday, 4 December.
・Limited to six services per day.

【Route】
・Hankyu Minoh Station ⇒ Katsuoji temple ⇒ Minoh Great Falls Dainichi parking lot ⇒ Hankyu Minoh Station

【Fares】
・2,000 yen ( includes a ticket to enter the Katsuoji temple).
※ Free of charge for children under three years of age who do not use a seat.
※ Includes consumption tax and special travel insurance.

〇 For detailed timetables and to purchase tickets, click here.
Tabi Plus One

The Waterfall Path (Takimichi), a walking course with spectacular autumn foliage

The 2.7 km long nature trail leading from the front of the Minoh Station to the Minoh Great Falls is called the "Takimichi" or waterfall path.
It is the best walking course set in the beautiful nature along the Minoh river, which flows through the park.

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