This article can be read in the following language: 日本語 (Japanese) 한국・조선어 (Korean) 简体中文 (Chinese (Simplified)) Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
Minoh City is well known for its beautiful natural view, especially the Meiji Memorial Forest Minoh Quasi-National Park where you can appreciate the beauty of the seasons. The city, with its surrounding mountains and hills, has spectacular cherry blossoms and autumn leaves. Alongside traditional local events, there is a festival called the “Minoh Matsuri” held every year that many Minoh citizens actively participate in.
Information on sightseeing, accommodation, event schedules and transport in and around Minoh and Osaka is available at the following centers.
Minoh Tourist Information Center
TEL: 072-723-1885 (Japanese) FAX: 072-721-1788
Address: Minoh City, Minoh 1-1-1
Open: 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
*9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on weekends, public holidays, all days in November
Closed: Thursday (Open in November. Open if Thursday is a public holiday, will be closed the next weekday.), the New Year Period (28 Dec – 4 Jan)
Tourist Information Osaka (Multilingual)
JR Osaka Station, 1F Central Concourse (next to the central gate ticket office)
TEL: 06-6131-4550 (Japanese only)
For multilingual help (Japanese, English, Chinese, Korean, Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Thai) please click “Tourist Guide” on the “Osaka Call Center” website for multilingual services: Osaka Call Center Tourist Guide (External link)
Tourist Information NAMBA (English, Chinese, Korean)
(Nankai Namba Station, in front of 1F North Gate)
TEL: 06-6131-4550 (Japanese only)
Tourist Information SHIN-OSAKA
(JR Shin-Osaka Station, 3F Central Concourse, Travel Service Center Shin-Osaka)
TEL: 06-6131-4550 (Japanese only)
Multilingual options are same as above
January
Fire Fighting Review on New Year
All the firefighters in Minoh City, including professionals and volunteers, showcase their fire fighting and rescue training.
Coming-of-Age Festival
In Japan, when people turn 18 years old, they are recognized as an adult under the law. In each city, the young adults who are coming of age (in Minoh City it is 20 years old) get together and are celebrated on this day.
Tondo
People bring decorations from the New Year, such as Shimenawa, to shrines and burn them. It is said that the ash prevents evil from coming into your house if you put it at your entrance.
Hatsumoude (first visit) to Shrines and Temples
People visit a shrine or temple, and pray for health and happiness in the New Year.
Yakubarai Kojin Festival at Katsuo-ji Temple
A holy fire (Goma) of 3m tall cypress leaves is burned and people pray for health and happiness in the New Year.
February
Setsubun, “Star Festival” of Taishakuji Temple
People walk barefoot on burned logs that were used for a holy fire and pray for health and happiness.
March
Minoh Eight Stone Alters (Hatten Ishikura) Walk Trial
A walking event where you can learn about history, culture, and nature by touring the locations of the Eight Stone Alters (Hatten Ishikura) across the Minoh mountains.
Spring Children’s Festival in Minoh
A sports event for both children and adults to enjoy, focused around walking games.
April
Door Opening Festival of Ryuanji Temple
Yamabushi (Mountain monks), open the doors of Gyojado Hall, in which an image of En’no Gyoja, the founder of Shugendo, is placed. The Yamabushi pray and start their training for the year.
Japanese pepper from Todoromi
The flowering Japanese peppers are a local delicacy delivered from Todoromi.
May
Fresh Green Carnival
At Minoh parks, there are various kinds of events, such as a light-up illumination.
June
Mountain lilies are in bloom
Wild mountain lilies, a sweet-smelling pink flower, bloom on the mountains.
Dental Health Festa
A Dental Health exhibition for all ages, including awards for dental health-themed poster drawings and poems, free dental checkups, blood pressure tests, and more.
Ina Fureai Center Festival
People over 60 years old enjoy dancing, music, calligraphy exhibitions, etc.
July
Ryuanji Temple Hoon Hoyo
Yamabushi get together from around the Kinki area make a holy fire and pray for En’no Gyoja on the anniversary of his death.
Kamishibai Festival
A hand-made Kamishibai contest where people can enjoy traditional Japanese storytelling.
Loquat Harvest in Todoromi
Large sweet loquats, a unique product of Todoromi, are in harvest.
Ayu Fishing in the Yono River
Ayu, river trout, are released into the Yono River of Todoromi, and people can enjoy fishing for them.
Summer Evening Festival (Minoh area, Ao area, Sakurai area)
People enjoy stalls, Bon dancing, and some games in the evening.
Summer Festa in Minoh Park
The waterfall and river are beautifully illuminated along the road, between Minoh Station and the waterfall (Until the end of August).
August
Mandoro Fire Festival
Since 2004 it has been held to pray for the city to flourish, and the revival of traditional culture. A fire parade is held down the riverbank of Senri River with Japanese lanterns made by children, straw torches, etc.
Hakunoshima Mandoro
It has been held for over 300 years. People walk along holding up about 2m long torches.
Jizo Bon
People pray to Jizo, a guardian deity of children, for peace and safety.
September
Chestnuts from Todoromi
Large chestnuts, a well-known product in Todoromi, are in harvest.
Youth Culture Festival
Children in Elementary, Junior High, and High School clubs involved in music, drama, and art, along with children in dance groups, showcase various performances.
Respect for the Elderly Ceremony
People aged over 75 years old are honored and celebrated their long lives in the communities.
Elderly Culture Exhibitions
Artworks such as pictures and handcrafts made by the elderly are exhibited.
October
Minoh Festival
People enjoy parades, Bon dancing, Minoh Taiko (Japanese drumming), and night stalls.
Autumn Festival
Many shrines in the city hold festivals to pray for safe and good harvests in the area. People enjoy drumming performances, Mikoshi (portable shrine) parades, and stalls.
Tomikuji at Ryuanji Temple
Tomikuji is a kind of lottery that was popular in the Edo Period. Ryuanji Temple in Minoh Mountain is the origin of these lotteries. They originated around 440 years ago.
A memorial service for insects of Saikoji Temple
It has been held for about 70 years. People express sympathy for the short lives of insects and hold a memorial service for them.
Sports Carnival
People of a wide range of ages enjoy various kinds of sports.
Citizen Exhibition
Paintings, photos, and handcrafts made by citizens are exhibited. Outstanding works are awarded prizes.
November
Maple Festival
Events are held at Minoh Park when the maple leaves are in full color.
Environmental Hygienics Week
A recycling event where used furniture and the like are handed out through a lottery.
Inoko in Todoromi
Children go from house to house beating the ground with bundles of straw, expressing thanks to the wild boars for not destroying the rice paddy fields.
Yuzu harvest in Todoromi
Yuzu citrus, which smells good and can be used for cooking, are in harvest in Todoromi.
Door Closing Ceremony of Ryuanji Temple
Yamabushi burn holy fires and close the doors of Gyojado, at the end of their training through the year.
Agricultural Festival
Local agricultural products are shown and sold.
December
Flower Cabbages from Niina
White and red flower cabbages, which are used to decorate the entrance of houses during the New Year period, are delivered from Niina.
Fire Prevention Week
As fires are especially common at this time of year, we encourage people to be aware of fire safety.
This article can be read in the following language: 日本語 (Japanese) 한국・조선어 (Korean) 简体中文 (Chinese (Simplified)) Tiếng Việt (Vietnamese)
