Minoh Autumn Lights: Planned Daily Evenings, November 14–December 6, 2026

Minoh, Osaka, announced daily autumn evening illumination from November 14 to December 6, 2026. Minoh Falls, the waterfall path, and nearby temples were to be lit from after sunset until 9:30 p.m. Hankyu Minoh Station to the falls is 2.7 km one way, with an official walking estimate of 40–50 minutes, so include the return walk in an evening itinerary.

This archive photograph shows Minoh buildings and autumn leaves during daytime on November 26, 2025. It does not show this year’s foliage or the night-lighting design.

Daily illumination during the festival; 9:30 p.m. is the finish

During the Meiji no Mori Minoh Quasi-National Park Autumn Leaves Festival 2026, lights were to connect Minoh Falls (箕面大滝), Takimichi waterfall path (滝道), and the areas around Ryuanji (瀧安寺) and Saikoji (西江寺). Start time was after sunset, not a fixed clock time; 9:30 p.m. meant the lights ended, not a target for reaching the station.

The tourism association also described music accessible by smartphone at five points along the waterfall path. Follow the signs and pause to listen rather than watching a screen while walking. Separate announced event dates from actual foliage conditions and check park notices shortly before visiting.

Plan around Hankyu Minoh Station

Official rail access was to change from the Hankyu Takarazuka Line at Ishibashi handai-mae (石橋阪大前) to the Minoh Line for Hankyu Minoh (箕面駅). From Minoh-kayano (箕面萱野駅), the source listed Hankyu bus routes 21 or 36 to Hankyu Minoh Station. These are different stations; choose according to the actual route from your accommodation.

Hankyu Minoh Station to Ichinohashi, the park entrance, was about five minutes on foot, but the falls were about 40–50 minutes away. Treating “the park is near the station” as the time to reach the falls would leave too little time.

Driving still requires walking the final section

There was no parking inside the park or along the waterfall path. Ordinary vehicles, including motorcycles and bicycles, were prohibited, so drivers needed to walk from nearby paid parking. Even the upper parking area was about 15 minutes on foot from the falls with steep sections; stroller and wheelchair users needed to examine the route carefully.

On Saturdays, Sundays, and Japanese public holidays from November 14 to December 6, parts of Prefectural Route 43 had one-way traffic restrictions. Roads and parking could be congested in foliage season; do not assume a rental car can take you directly to the falls.

The mountainous park calls for care after dark. The operator said lighting would stop under a storm warning, landslide-alert information, or dangerous conditions such as a major rise in the Minoh River. Check operation on the day and wear suitable walking shoes.