Since the weather was especially fine today, I decided to venture out an another little koyo run, despite the fact that it’s still a week or two early in most parts of Kansai.  This time around I headed to Minoo, the provincial park in the mountains near Takarazuka that I’ve visited once before.  Minoo is best known for its enormous waterfall, but is also one of the best koyo spots in greater Osaka.

As you can see, the colors were actually quite respectable.  Minoo is a really atmospheric spot – not just for its nature but for its traditional Japanese architecture and village feel.  Sadly a weekend in koyo season is always going to see Minoo overrun with tourists (it’s popular year-round) but the charms were still apparent.

Afterwards I made a brief stop in Ikeda, also on the Takarazuka Line, to see Ikeda Castle and the Cup Noodle Museum.  Truth be told there’s not a lot of castle left, but the park is still a lovely spot with a commanding view (as castle locales in Japan tend to be).