If you’re looking to escape the city without travelling far, the new Komorebi no Yado Meitokuan offers a serene retreat. Set in the lush Meiji-no-Mori Minoh Quasi-National Park in Osaka’s Minoh City, the ryokan is just 40 minutes by train from central Osaka.
This natural park is well-known for its breathtaking waterfall and vibrant autumn foliage. The historical Minoh Waterfall Trail was once home to dozens of traditional inns, most of which have since disappeared. Komorebi no Yado Meitokuan is one of the few carrying on that legacy, having thoughtfully renovated a former ryokan building.
While the wooden property retains the nostalgic charm of Taisho-era romanticism, it’s been upgraded for modern comfort. The inn has just three rooms – a traditional tatami room, a twin and a double – thus ensuring a quiet, intimate stay. Each room looks out onto either the forested mountains or a gently flowing stream, allowing you to immerse yourself in nature’s sights, sounds and scents.
Every experience here is classically Japanese. For meals, you can opt for a private sushi kaiseki, with a chef preparing each dish right in front of you. Or take a relaxing 8-minute stroll to its sister ryokan, Otowa Sansou, and enjoy seasonal multi-course kaiseki or traditional counter-style sushi.
Additional cultural experiences include tea ceremonies in the on-site teahouse, kimono dressing, bonsai workshops and guided hikes into the national park – all curated to help you appreciate Japan’s rich cultural and natural heritage.