Osaka has plenty to offer: shopping, food, parks and even their own Universal Studios! But if you ever feel like taking a nice respite from the city life or explore what's outside of Osaka , check out this day trip itinerary to Ikeda and Minoo. From making your own cup noodles to enjoying a nice hike and waterfall, this itinerary includes varied experiences to keep you from missing the city buzz!
MORNING: MINOO PARK & WATERFALL
From downtown Osaka, make your way first to Minoo where a beautiful scenic park awaits you. Minoo Park is a large forested valley with over 980 different types of plants along the main hiking trail. It is also one of the few places near to Osaka that allows you to get in touch with nature! It's best to visit in late November to see the changing leaves and Japanese red maple, but fret not, the park still looks beautiful all year round.
How To Get There:
From downtown Osaka, take the Hankyu Takarazuka Line from Umeda Station to Ishibashi Station. At Ishibashi Station, transfer to the Hankyu Minoo Line to Minoo Station. This journey takes approximately 25 minutes. After which, there will be signage pointing you in the direction of Minoo Park, which is a short walk away.
Beginning from the train station, take a walk along Minoo's Park main hiking trail and immerse yourself in the stunning nature. This trail is generally well-paved, spacious and lacks any tough incline, making it suitable for most ages and fitness levels. It will however take the average hiker about 45 minutes to an hour (one way) to complete the trail that ends at Minoo Waterfall.
For the first part of the trail, you'll likely pass by some shops, temples and traditional mountain houses.
Most of the small shops actually sell a Minoo speciality snack: maple leaf tempura! These maple leaves are first coated in batter and then fried. As the leaves are really thin, most of what you're eating is definitely the batter. Nonetheless, it was really crunchy and sweet, making it a great snack for your impending hike.
If you get the chance, you'll even be able to see some stall owners frying it on the spot.
You'll also be able to spot some traditional mountain houses, some of which have been converted into shops as well as some temples, which makes the hike all the more interesting.
Along the trail, there is also the Minoo Park Insect Museum, where there is a varied selection and display of local insects and more! It's also designed to be educational facility, with various interactive exhibitions, making it perfect for little kids or families. There is also a butterfly garden where you can spot the fluttering tropical butterflies. This will be an excellent side trip if you have extra time to spare during your hike.
Opening Hours: 10am - 5pm (Last Admission: 4:30pm), Closed On Tuesdays
Admission Fee: 280 Yen (Adults), Free (Middle School Age & Under)
As you hike up further into the second half of the trail, it becomes more forested and you'll face a steeper incline compared to before. This is where you'll truly get to enjoy the fresh air, peace and quiet as you delve deeper into the park. As you progress further, you'll be able to hear the waterfall when you're close. Before you know it, you would have arrived at Minoo Waterfall, Minoo Park's main attraction!
Standing at 33 meters fall and surrounded by lush greenery all around, this waterfall is truly captivating and well worth your hike up! There are also benches for you to sit, allowing you to take in the sight and enjoy the sound of the waterfall. If you're lucky, you might be able to spot monkeys as well! My friends did spot one but remember not to feed them as it could be dangerous!
As you head back down the same way, take some time to enjoy a free foot bath. This free facility is located right next to the entrance and you would have likely spotted it in the beginning. It's a good place to relax your feet after your hike.
Note: There are various other trails that are available, should you want to stay longer and explore Minoo Park.
QUICK STOP: MINOO SHOPPING STREET AND MISTER DONUT
Before you head off to the next stop, do take a nice stroll along Minoo's Shopping Street, located next to the train station.
While this shopping street is nothing compared to Osaka, it's a nice way to soak in the atmosphere at Minoo. Lined with mostly small, independent shops, window shopping can truly be enjoyed here. You can even get a cup of speciality coffee for a mere 100 Yen!
But what's really not to be missed out is trying a donut at Mister Donut. Minoo is the hometown of the famous donut shop chain Mister Donut.
There's no better place to try Mister Donut then right here in Minoo. The prices here are also really affordable, ranging from 100 Yen to 200 Yen per donut.
AFTERNOON: CUP NOODLE MUESEUM , IKEDA
Next, head to Ikeda, where you'll get to visit a cup noodles museum and make your own cup noodles!
How To Get There:
From Minoo Station, take the Hankyu Minoo Line to Ishibashi Station. At Ishibashi Station, transfer to the Hankyu Takarazuka Line to Ikeda Station. This journey takes approximately 15 minutes. From Ikeda Station, exit via the Masumi-cho Homen Exit and follow the signage to reach the museum. The Museum is approximately a 5 minutes walk from Ikeda Station.
The Cup Noodle Mueseum features a museum, with various interactive exhibitions on Momofuku Ando and the story of instant noodles!
Opening Hours: 9:30am - 4:30pm (Last admission: 3:30pm), Closed On Tuesdays
Admission Fee: Free
The main attraction, however, would be My CUPNOODLES Factory located inside the museum. This is where you'll get to make your very own cup noodles, an experience that can't be found elsewhere! For a more detailed explanation on how that process goes, check out my post on the Cup Noodles Museum.
As you are charged per cup noodles (300 Yen), you can actually take the time to purchase and DIY a few cup noodles.
This also makes an excellent place to get some good personalised souvenirs for your friends back home as well. Don't forget to get a nice shot on your way out with your very own cup noodles!
LATE AFTERNOON: IKEDA CASTLE SITE PARK
Located just a 15 min walk from Ikeda Station (opposite direction of Cup Noodles Museum), this park features a garden, pond and the Ikeda Castle! Ikeda Castle may not be as majestic as Osaka Castle, but it definitely has its own charm. The park is also a nice spot to relax and enjoy the greenery and pond. Don't forget to catch a bird eye's view of the city while you're there also.
P.S You can also buy fish feed from a vending machine and feed the koi fish in the pond for 100 Yen!
Opening Hours: 9am - 7pm, 9am - 5pm (November - March), Closed On Tuesdays
Admission Fee: Free
FOOD OPTIONS
Cup Noodles Museum
If you're feeling hungry, you can actually enjoy cup noodles right in the Museum itself. There is a dining room located within the Museum on the first floor. There are about 30 products sold in the vending machines, including popular products and limited edition products from Hokkaido and Tohoku. So if you want to sit down and enjoy a nice hot meal, do check out their dining room.
Ippudo
Ippudo is a ramen chain restaurant that is highly popular in Japan and overseas. It is most well known for its tonkotsu ramen. So if you enjoy ramen, you simply cannot miss out on trying Ippudo Ramen!
Address: 2-10 Masumicho, Ikeda, Osaka 563-0041, Japan
Opening Hours: 11am - 11pm, Daily
Hatagoya
Hatagoya sells a wide range of Japanese food and set meals, from tonkatsu, sashimi to tempura. If you have a group of friends with varied taste, this place would be an excellent option! It also has a nice cosy interior and private rooms for you to enjoy good conversation alongside good food.
Address: 2-2-10 Masumicho, Ikeda, Osaka 563-0041, Japan
Opening Hours: 11am - 3pm, 5pm - 11pm, Daily
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