Culture and nature in Osaka's Minoh Park (Photo-essay)

Whenever I'm in Osaka, I eat (and drink) a lot.  This is the city of kuidaore (eating oneself bankrupt) that we're talking about, after all.  But when I had a night out at Dotonbori last May, I found -- sadly -- that my stomach got full too fast, so I couldn't have as many different foods as I had aspired to! 

On my most recent visit to Osaka, I decided to exercise quite a bit during the day to build up an appetite for dinner -- and found the first night that I was there this time around that the hike up Kojima's Washu-zan had indeed given me a good appetite for what was on offer that evening at Koyoshi Sushi.  

So the next day, I headed over to the forested valley on the city outskirts known as Minoh Park for another appetite-building walk -- and found a lovely spot that, although more built up than Hong Kong's country parks, still had natural beauty and quiet there to help me further relax while on vacation in Japan along with some interesting cultural -- including edible -- elements! :b

  I can't read Japanese but get the distinct impression that 

this is a monument to a man who cared much for his mother

I couldn't resist trying some of the momiji-no-tempura 

(maple leaves deep-fried in batter) that Minoh Park's famous for!

Happily, despite posted signs attesting to the park having monkey problems 

like in certain Hong Kong country parks (notably Kam Shan),

these were the only simians I saw at there that day! :)

The 33-meter-high Minoh Falls appears to be

the park's most popular attraction and scenic spot

Of course Puppet Ponyo had to pose for a photo 

with Minoh Falls in the background! :b

The spray from the waterfall and the sunlight combine

to make a pretty little rainbow :)

 The clear water beautifully reflected sunlight and also

revealed the bottom of the interesting looking stream bed

Another statue -- this one of Hideyo Noguchi, a respected 

bacteriologist who also was known for his love for his mother