Japan has many bizarre "transportation passes." Before heading anywhere, you have to calculate every detail—saving even just 100 yen or taking one extra train ride makes you feel like you've saved a fortune, instantly turning you into a Budget Traveler. This is one of the great joys of traveling in Japan. These "transportation passes," which can be quite overwhelming before departure, are rare in Western countries. Westerners usually just rely on "one pass to rule them all." But in Japan, passes are divided by different companies, railways, regions, and even specific attractions. These specially designed "passes" to promote certain spots show how much emphasis they place on tourism. To attract visitors to a particular spot, eye-catching scenic images are often featured in station or train advertisements.
Of course, since I planned to visit mostly farther destinations this time, I opted for the "Kansai Thru Pass."
As for the "Mizuo Waterfall," perhaps because it wasn’t yet the autumn foliage season, I personally found it to be just average.
To be honest, I had never heard of "Mizuo" before. It was only after seeing its poster on the Osaka subway last year that I learned about this place. Later, when I looked it up, I realized it wasn’t far—only about 45 minutes from central Osaka. For someone like me who has zero interest in shopping, it gave me a whole new perspective on Osaka.
This trip was completely unplanned. The night before, I had gotten too excited at Universal Studios and overslept. Then I suddenly remembered this place and decided to check it out.
I had no expectations for the waterfall, the destination, and naturally, no disappointments either—it was just a "waterfall." Indeed, after seeing some of the most beautiful scenery and the most magnificent waterfalls in the world, what’s so special about this one?
The lush green forest path leading to the waterfall was more beautiful than the waterfall itself.
On the contrary, I really enjoyed the walk to the waterfall. Perhaps it was because this was a completely unplanned trip—I didn’t know where I was going or have any plans. Just walking around and relaxing felt really comfortable. It took about half an hour on foot from Mizuo Station to reach the waterfall. The waterfall flows down along a small stream, and the sound of the flowing water is very pleasant. It wasn’t yet the autumn foliage season, so although the leaves hadn’t turned red yet, the area still had a lush, verdant beauty (I’m sure the foliage is a major attraction). Although the trail wasn’t hard to find at all, its somewhat deep mountain location and low foot traffic gave it a sense of exploring a hidden gem. The waterfall itself wasn’t particularly surprising, but there were a few seats set up for waterfall viewing. As the autumn chill began to set in, buying some snacks, sitting down, and taking a break offered a nice change from the hustle and bustle of downtown Osaka—an enjoyable experience.
Compared to the "fried maple leaves" in the photo above, I preferred the black sugar yuzu buns in the photo below. There were also many unique local food stalls along the way, which was another big draw of Mizuo.
Speaking of food, there were many small shops selling genuine local snacks (not the souvenir-style snacks you find in downtown streets). The more famous fried maple leaves, which tasted and felt like cookies, had a bigger reputation. I tried them purely out of curiosity—they weren’t mind-blowing, but I admired how the Japanese even turned "maple leaves" into a business. On the other hand, at an unassuming intersection, I found a little-known black sugar yuzu bun shop. The buns were crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, with a sweet and fragrant yuzu filling that was irresistible. I actually went back and bought another one.
Many people might traditionally think of Osaka as just a paradise for food and shopping. To some extent, I agree, but for someone like me who isn’t very interested in shopping and even dislikes the overly crowded and hectic city vibe of Osaka, the Mizuo Waterfall is indeed a convenient and comfortable alternative.
Mizuo isn’t really that far from the city center, and the journey is easy. Theoretically, you can cover everything in half a day. Afterward, you can also visit the nearby Nissin Cup Noodles Museum—a museum that might be the "ultimate product replacement" experience, existing solely to "brainwash" you about the brand’s strength. I appreciate the boldness of such an overtly advertising-driven approach (or it’s practically like visiting their factory), but I have to admit it’s a really fun museum. It’s just a few stops from Mizuo to Ikeda, making it a perfect way to fill a day’s itinerary.
Taken in Mizuo, Japan
How to get there: Take the Hankyu Main Line from Osaka Umeda to Ishibashi, then transfer to the Mizuo Line to Mizuo. The journey takes about 40 minutes.
Day Trips Around Osaka (Part 1): https://goo.gl/pxF37X
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