The gentle riverside path takes about 50 minutes and leads you to the impressive 33-meter Minoh Waterfall, a natural highlight in every season. After a short break for photos, you will return on foot to Minoh Station, enjoying the scenery from a different perspective. *From February to May, the usual route to Minoo Waterfall is closed, so we will take a short detour. As a result, the walk will be a little more challenging than usual and will require a bit more physical stamina.

This temple is called Ryuan-ji. It was founded around the mid-7th century, so it’s more than 1,300 years old. This area used to be a training place for Shugendo, a Japanese mountain religion that mixes Buddhism and Shinto. Monks would walk deep into the mountains, practicing meditation and physical endurance to become spiritually stronger. The main deity here is Benzaiten, the goddess of music, art, knowledge, and good fortune. Because of this, many people come here to pray for wealth and success, and even for lottery luck. In fact, this temple is sometimes called the birthplace of Japan’s lottery.

Katsuo-ji is famous for its countless red Daruma dolls, symbols of perseverance and good fortune. Spend around 40 minutes exploring the spacious grounds, admiring the peaceful gardens, ornate gates, and hillside views.