 A place of scenic beauty & a natural habitat for Mt. Minoh's monkeys designated by the national government
 Modern Times
 National Park
| Minoh Park is famous among citizens in the Kansai region for the beauty of its autumnal maple leaves. The park was founded in 1871 when the Minoh Temple estate (except the compound) and the surrounding mountainous area were nationalized and designated as Japan's first public park. Work to preserve the nature of the area was promoted and Takimichi, a road connecting the Minoh Waterfall and the temple, was completed in 1886.
After obtaining permission of the Minister of Agriculture and Commerce in 1898 to establish a natural park, the Osaka prefectural government bought the park from the national government in 1907. A railway (present Hankyu Railways) and a zoo were opened in 1910 and inns and shops were constructed in the vicinity, though the zoo was later moved to the City of Takarazuka in 1916. Publicity of the park was actively carried out to get nationwide recognition as a new tourist spot.
In the park are various monuments and the statues of Hidetsugu Mori (who was dedicated to the foundation of the park), Hideyo Noguchi (pioneering bacteriologist, 1876-1928) and Rai Sanyo (historian and poet, 1781-1832).
Since the Minoh Natural Zoo was opened in May 1955, the zoo's wild monkeys gained particular popularity. The area was designated as a place of scenic beauty and at the same time as a home for Mt. Minoh's monkeys (a precious creature) by the national government in 1956. The park was registered as the Meiji no Mori Quasi-National Park in December 1967. The Minoh Natural Zoo was abolished in 1977 and the monkeys were let free.
An insect museum was added in 1953 and a butterfly park was annexed to the museum in 1992. In addition, various facilities were added to help citizens interact with nature. These facilities include a visitors' center (completed in 1968), Tokai natural public walks, other public walks and sylvan leisure parks (Komorebi no Mori and Expo no Mori). The park's quality is continually being further enhanced.
The Minoh Temple is said to have been founded in 652 by En no Gyoja, a semilegendary ascetic. The temple became an arena for mountaineering asceticism as a sacred place where a saint lives. It was visited by famous monks such as Kukai (founder of the Shingon sect of Buddhism, 774-835) and Honen (founder of the Jodo sect, 1133, 1212). The principal deity of the Benten-do hall is the Nyoirin Kannon (which is also an important cultural asset), another form of Benzaiten, one of the seven deities of good fortune. The fortune lottery (tomikuji) held here during the New Year's holiday is said to be the oldest lottery in Japan and also the origin of the country's popular public lotteries. On the top of the hill called Tenjo-ga-take are the tomb and statue of the founder En no Gyoja. The temple is dedicated to prayer for harvest and guardianship of the land.
Walking the Takimichi road, visitors can enjoy various interesting and uniquely named natural spots, including bridges, valleys and tea shops. 1.4 million people visit the park annually.
 Tourist Information
Source: The Minoh municipal government
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