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Osaka, dubbed “Japan’s Kitchen,” could also be recognized for its irresistible road meals, however this time, put down the chopsticks and head to discover the town’s hottest autumnal spots.
After experiencing Kyoto‘s magical autumn surroundings, I headed south to Osaka to catch a glimpse of what the port metropolis needed to provide in the course of the season.
We’d resist the temptation of the town’s famed takoyaki and okonomiyaki, and as an alternative experience its autumnal surroundings, together with extra temples, castles, ravines, and waterfalls all through the go to.
This submit marks the ultimate and bonus episode of my autumn collection via Kyoto, the place I share suggestions and a few of the finest locations for having fun with autumn leaves (紅葉, kōyō) within the space. Planning a go to to Kyoto in the course of the fall? Don’t miss the hyperlinks above.
Now, allow us to journey to Osaka to witness its magnificent fall colours!
How you can Get to Osaka from Kyoto
After coming back from Uji, the next day, I took the Particular Speedy Tokaido-Sanyo Line from Kyoto Station to Osaka Station, which took roughly half-hour and price 580 yen one-way.
When you plan to go to Osaka by airplane, the closest airport is Kansai Airport. Board the practice from Kansai Station on the Kansaikuko Line Kanku-Speedy in direction of Kyobashi to Osaka Station (or your required cease). The journey will take roughly one hour and 20 minutes, costing 1,210 yen one-way.
When to Go to Osaka in Autumn
Like Kyoto, you’ll be able to see the autumn foliage from mid-November to early December. I visited on the twenty seventh and twenty eighth of November, 2023, and the autumn colours had been at their peak. Timings fluctuate from place to position, however total, I like to recommend touring to Osaka in late November.
Nevertheless, because the climate adjustments yearly, I extremely advocate researching autumn forecasts on-line earlier than planning your journey.
Minoh Park
Minoh Park (箕面公園) is a forest valley situated within the northern suburbs of Osaka and is among the hottest autumn locations within the Kansai area. To get to Minoh Park (aka Minoo Park), take the specific practice on the Takarazuka Line from Hankyu Osaka-Umeda Station to Ishibashi Handai-mae Station. Then, change strains to the Hankyu Minoo Line certain for Minoo Station. The entire journey takes roughly half-hour and prices 280 yen a method.
Positioned subsequent to Minoo Station is an info heart the place you’ll be able to choose up a leaflet (out there in English) explaining all about Minoh Park, the path path, and native eating places. From the station, indicators will information you to the park entrance – a 2.8km (1.7 mi) stroll via a valley alongside Minoo River.
Alongside the way in which, small distributors promote native sweets and treats, resembling roasted chestnuts.
I made a decision to choose up some momiji (maple leaf) tempura, which yow will discover all through the stroll. Distributors deep fry the momiji leaves until crispy with sweetness from the batter, making it the right snack whereas having fun with the autumnal stroll.
Strolling By way of Minoh Park
The primary half of the stroll passes by numerous retailers, cafes, and even ryokans (conventional Japanese inns) with a delicate incline.
One notable monument is Ryuan-ji Temple (瀧安寺), which is a part of the Shugen-do mountain-worship non secular sect.
The second half varies in topography, with steeper inclines that delve deeper into the park’s nature.
The stroll culminates with Minoo Waterfall (箕面大滝), the one considered one of Japan’s ‘100 Nice Waterfalls’ in Osaka, standing at 33 meters in peak.
I visited early within the morning, so there have been only a few individuals, however I’ve heard that it will get very busy in the course of the afternoon. Whereas it was stunning, particularly with the fiery autumn colours, I discovered that I most well-liked the stroll main as much as the waterfall. The park is price a go to, particularly for the surroundings (and people Momiji tempura snacks).
Katsuo-ji Temple
Positioned a bit of deeper into the mountains from Minoo Waterfall is Katsuo-ji Temple (勝尾寺), which is considerably difficult to entry. You possibly can take a taxi from Minoo Station, which is able to take roughly 20 minutes. Alternatively, you’ll be able to board the Minoo Takimichi One-way Sightseeing Tour Bus from Minoo Station, which is able to take you on to Katsuo-ji. Their web site has a bus schedule, however it’s only out there in Japanese.
Historical past of Katsuo-ji
Katsuo-ji, initially referred to as Miroku-ji Temple, had its humble beginnings as a small hut inbuilt 765. A long time later, Emperor Seiwa (850 – 881) visited the temple whereas grappling with a life-threatening sickness. Because of the monk’s prayers, Seiwa recovered and renamed the temple Katsuo-ji, straight translating to ‘the temple that triumphs over the emperor.’ These days, individuals go to the temple to hope for luck in work, research, enterprise, and numerous different endeavors.
There’s a 400 yen entrance charge to the temple. Upon coming into, you’ll instantly take pleasure in a panoramic view of the temple grounds.
All through the temple, miniature Daruma dolls are scattered on the bottom, in shrines, and on partitions. These dolls had been modeled after the founding father of Zen Buddhism, who is claimed to have sat in meditation for thus lengthy that his legs fell off, therefore the rounded form. The Daruma dolls within the temple are referred to as kachi-Daruma, or successful Daruma.
I used to be fortunate to go to Katsuo-ji in peak autumn, so the grounds had been coated in a sea of fiery pink maple timber.
A group of Daruma dolls in all sizes strains the trail resulting in the highest of the grounds. This pathway takes you to the primary corridor and a small store the place you’ll be able to choose up your individual Daruma!
From the primary corridor, you’ll be able to oversee all the temple grounds. When you’ve completed exploring all of the small shrines, statues, and Daruma dolls, you’ll be able to comply with the winding path to the exit.
Contained in the memento store, you’ll be able to choose up some Daruma-themed sweets, garments, and different miscellaneous mementos.
The temple grounds at Katsuo-ji had been essentially the most spectacular I’ve seen in Japan.
Hoshida Park Suspension Bridge
Also referred to as Hoshi no Buranko (星のブランコ), this suspension bridge is located in Hoshida Park (ほしだ園地) within the northern a part of the Ikoma Mountains, between the borders of Osaka and Nara. Given its location a bit of removed from the town heart, it makes for an awesome day journey.
From Osaka, you’ll have to board the Katano Line Native Line from Hirakata Station to Kisaichi Station, adopted by one other 30-minute stroll. Alternatively, there may be one other entrance (reverse “Grandfather’s Clock” on Google Maps) marked by a pink torii gate, which you’ll attain by automotive. Since I used to be driving, I opted for the latter.
The primary entrance I discussed passes via a restaurant, a climbing wall, and numerous wood bridges. However, the doorway I took is an easy path via the autumn leaves, with a somewhat steep incline. Alongside the way in which, there have been relaxation stops and benches the place individuals loved lunch.
After mountain climbing for round 20 minutes, yow will discover Hoshi no Buranko Tenbodai, a small observatory trying over the suspension bridge.
Staying on the primary path will take one other 5 minutes earlier than you attain the suspension bridge, which appears to be like much more spectacular up shut. It might be exhausting to consider the colours within the images, however the mountains and autumn foliage actually had that vibrant hue. It felt like strolling via a cloud of oranges and yellows.
Regardless of Hoshi no Buranko being a bit removed from the town, I extremely advocate visiting, because it’s one of many extra distinctive spots to expertise the autumnal surroundings.
Osaka Fortress Park
Each journey to Osaka is incomplete with no go to to one of the vital iconic castles in Japan. I made a decision to take a fast go to as this was my first time experiencing it in autumn. We coated Osaka Fortress (大坂城) in depth right here.
Surrounded by ginkgo timber, the fortress regarded simply as spectacular as I might have imagined!
One other sizzling spot to see the autumn colours is the Expo ’70 Commemorative Park. Sadly, I didn’t have the time to go to, however you’ll be able to try our in-depth information to the park right here.
Daisen Park Japanese Backyard
Daisen Park (大仙公園) covers roughly 35 hectares, making it excellent for leisurely strolls. On weekends, you’ll discover many locals strolling their canine, having a picnic, or enjoyable within the picturesque surroundings. Aside from autumn, the park can also be common throughout spring, drawing locals who come to see the fleeting cherry blossoms.
On the park’s western aspect is a Japanese backyard, the place you’ll be able to immerse your self in conventional Japanese gardening amidst the autumnal colours. Established in 1989 to rejoice the hundredth anniversary of recent Sakai Metropolis, the park has been acknowledged as considered one of ‘the 100 finest historic parks in Japan.’
On the entrance, you’ll discover a ticket machine the place you should purchase your entrance ticket (200 yen). There are additionally choices for a inexperienced tea and contemporary confectionery set (600 yen) or a inexperienced tea and dried confectionery set (500 yen).
The park options a number of Japanese bridges, ponds, and a conventional pavilion. Many components of the backyard are impressed by China, reflecting Sakai’s flourishing historical past as a buying and selling level with them.
You possibly can take pleasure in inexperienced tea and wagashi (Japanese sweets) contained in the pavilion. Sadly, I needed to catch my flight again to Hokkaido, so there was no wagashi for me this time!
That concludes my four-part collection round Kyoto and Osaka’s autumn spots! Japan’s autumn is actually one of the vital magical instances, and I hope you’ll have the chance to expertise it for your self.
Thanks to everybody who learn each submit that I’ve shared. Be happy to remark down beneath and let me know the place you want to see subsequent!
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