A bedroom town located in the northern part of Osaka Prefecture. The area is rich in nature and is home to the Expo '70 Commemorative Park, famous for the Tower of the Sun. It is also convenient for access to neighboring Hyogo and Kyoto prefectures, making it a good base for sightseeing in Keihanshin (Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe).
The Minoh, Toyonaka, and Takatsuki areas offer sightseeing spots such as Atago Shrine, Hattori Ryokuchi, and Expo Park; sightseeing events such as the Inagawa Fireworks Festival, Takatsuki Jazz Street, and Ibaraki Festival; and local gourmet foods such as okonomiyaki, takoyaki, and sake lees soup.
Toyonaka is an area with an airport, which used to be called Osaka International Airport and has since become "Itami Airport" since the Kansai International Airport was built, and an upscale residential area. Expressway ICs are concentrated in various directions, making it a convenient area to travel anywhere from Toyonaka to Kobe, Osaka City, Kyoto, and the Sea of Japan.
Takatsuki is located almost halfway between Kyoto and Osaka, and this area is famous for its numerous ancient tombs and for the excavation of "haniwa" (clay figurines). The area is also famous as the base of "Miyoshi Nagayoshi." Minoh is a bedroom town of Osaka and is known as a high-class residential area. Minoh Park" is famous for the monkeys on the loose. However, the monkeys here are very belligerent, so for your own safety, do not open the windows, but close them.
In addition to being a major transportation hub, Toyonaka City is also an area where fossils and ruins are often excavated. The city was also the site of numerous settlements during the Yayoi period and a battlefield during the Warring States period, and although it was severely damaged, it was restored in the mid-Edo period and eventually came under the rule of the Tokugawa family. Toyonaka City is also a district with various strict environmental restrictions. In particular, carbon dioxide emission regulations are in place, so it is best to refrain as much as possible from exploring the city by car.
Takatsuki City has a lot of nature, and the upper reaches of the Akutagawa River, which runs through the city, have been selected as one of the "100 best places for greenery in Osaka. Takatsuki Castle, where Takayama Ukon also served as lord of the castle, is another famous sightseeing spot.
As for gourmet food, "Double Curry" is especially famous in Takatsuki these days. It is a new gourmet spot located in the shopping arcade just off Hankyu Takatsuki City Station. Minoh is also famous for "Momiji-manju" and "Mon-chan senbei" (rice crackers). Many of Minoh's local products can be made into souvenirs, so those who stop by should consider that as well when strolling the area.
During the spring and fall tourist seasons, the cherry blossoms and autumn leaves seen at "Settsukyo", which is popular among locals, are known to be very beautiful. There are also many campgrounds, and a great many people enjoy barbecues.
Towering over Expo '70 Commemorative Park, this huge 70-meter-high tower with three faces and left and right arms is a work of art and a structure created by artist Taro Okamoto. It was built as part of the theme pavilion for the 1970 Japan World Exposition (EXPO '70, Osaka Expo '70). It was registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Japan in 2020. It is one of Taro Okamoto's masterpieces an...»
Commemorating the success of the 1970 Japan World Exposition, the former site of the Expo was transformed into a "cultural park surrounded by greenery" with a Japanese garden, a nature and culture garden, and cultural, sports, leisure, and lodging facilities, covering a total area of 260 hectares. After the World Exposition, the pavilions from around the world were removed and replaced by a natur...»
An inland aquarium using artificial seawater, NIFREL is characterized by its innovative concept of combining an aquarium, a zoo, and an art museum under the concept of "touching the senses. It is located within the EXPOCITY commercial complex. Intuitively expressing the beauty and wonder of living creatures, the aquarium combines space, lighting, video, and music to provide a rich sensory experie...»
Located in Expo '70 Commemorative Park, this museum introduces the lifestyles and cultures of various ethnic groups from around the world. Its nickname is "Minpaku. Exhibits are mainly divided into regional and cross-cultural exhibits, and showcase the cultures of various regions of the world, including Oceania, America, Europe, Africa, and Asia including Japan. There are also exhibits that give...»
Settsukyo Gorge, a ravine located in the upper reaches of Akutagawa River, is considered one of the most scenic spots in Hokusetsu, with a 4-km stretch of marital rocks, eight tatami rocks, cliffs, and waterfalls. This beautiful scenery resembles "Yabakei," one of Japan's three most bizarre landscapes, and is also called "Settsu Yabakei. The ravine and its west bank are a scenic park, Settsukyo P...»
This temple is known as the first sacred site in Japan where Bishamonten (Bishamonten) was enshrined. This temple is also famous for its autumn foliage. The origin of this temple is said to be the enshrinement of Bishamonten by Enno Shokaku (En no Gyoja) in 697, and the temple was founded in 774 by Prince Kaisei, son of Emperor Konin. With seven halls, 21 monasteries and priests' quarters, and a...»
This museum introduces the history of instant ramen. Here, the hut of the laboratory where Chicken Ramen was developed is recreated, and the history of the manufacturing process and improvement of instant ramen and Cup Noodles are displayed in a model. Also on display are instant ramen packages from around the world. In addition, visitors can choose their own soup type and toppings at the "My Cu...»
Known as "the most famous waterfall in the world," this waterfall has been selected as one of the "100 best waterfalls in Japan. With a width of 5 meters and a drop of 33 meters, it is a dynamic sight to see the water cascading down from the cliff at once. The name "Minoh" comes from the resemblance of the falling water between the trees to a "wino," a farming tool, and is said to be the origin o...»