Japan Travel Reports: Satsukiyama

Travel Reports by jioruji

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January 12, 2015 - Satsukiyama - Minoh hike

One of the few mountainous stretches just next to Osaka City is the one between Ikeda city and Mino city. �gMountainous�h might be a strong word, as the highest point is only 315 meters. Nevertheless it is a popular relaxation spot for the inhabitants of Japan�fs 3rd biggest city.
Minoh on the other hand is more famous, especially for its waterfall that attracts flocks of local tourists.

Ikeda and Minoh are neighbouring cities in Osaka Prefecture, a little north of Osaka City. There are different starting points of the course, but we got off the train at Hankyu Ikeda Station to get back on the train at the Hankyu Minoh Station.

I used to live in Matsumoto where hiking trails were rampant all around you. From time to time I loved going out for a day to random areas with beautiful trails and views. Living in the urban area of Kansai such trips have become a lot more scarce. So when I got invited to take a one day hiking trip from Satsukiyama to Minoh I did not have to think twice.

All in all there�fs nothing special to this trip. The first few kilometers in Satsukiyama Park are cozy and has an interesting tower and some nice views along the way. The middle part though is mainly on a paved road next to golf terrain. The other side of the road though is mainly used for dumping garbage. That�fs a pity of course, but the dozens of useless car wrecks also have a kind of �gmovie-feel�h.

A spiral staircase-tower near the highest point of Satsukiyama.

A graveyard for cars on the road from Satsukiyama to Minoh.

When leaving the paved road to descent to the Mino Waterfall the trail becomes a lot more interesting again. Finding your way through a dense forest, you finally arrive at a river bank with clear water. Following this river you slowly get closer the living world again until you merge with the masses on Mino�fs road from the station to the waterfall.

While nothing special this hiking trail is easy to do in any season and can be a breath of fresh air for all who live near Osaka.

Who knew there is such a dense forest very near to Osaka?

The Minoh waterfall, a favorite getaway for a lot of people from Osaka.

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2017/03/11 - Reversible Destiny at Yoro & Ogaki
2017/01/28 - Miyama - Kabuki-no-Sato -
2016/11/26 - Yatsubuchi-no-Taki
2016/11/23 - Takeda Castle Ruins
2016/11/19 - Menfudo Limestone Cave
2016/07/31 - Wagashi in Kyoto
2016/07/23 - Norikura Heights
2016/07/01 - Hakodate
2016/06/30 - Onuma Park
2016/06/29 - Exploring part of the Shikotsu-Toya National Park
2016/06/28 - To central Hokkaido
2016/06/27 - Historic Village of Hokkaido
2016/02/03 - Himeji: the real castle and the fake one
2015/09/25 - Izu Peninsula: Atami, Shimoda & Cape Irozaki
2015/07/23 - Sendai
2015/07/22 - Mount Zao
2015/07/21 - Matsushima
2015/05/30 - Climbing Mount Iwawaki
2015/03/22 - Beppu
2015/03/21 - Kunisaki Peninsula
2015/03/20 - Takachiho
2015/03/19 - Kumamoto
2015/01/12 - Satsukiyama - Minoh hike
2014/11/01 - Aizu-Wakamatsu
2014/10/31 - Sadogashima
2014/10/30 - Kurobe Gorge
2014/01/25 - Fushimi Inari hike
2014/01/04 - Hidden Nachi Falls