Minoh-Sanso Kaze no Mori — Local services in Minoh

so i did, bringing along two friends who had never used chopsticks before, let alone eaten raw fish!||but by the time our three-day visit was over, they weren't even asking for a fork and were sampling sushi like it was a regular item on their diet.||everything i wrote about minoo sanso kazenomori in my earlier review still holds true - and add to that the special welcome i was given as a returning guest.||my flight was delayed more than two hours, so we didn't check in until midnight. although reception usually closes at 10pm, the manager kindly stayed until we arrived to welcome us.||returning to a place like Minoo Sanso Kazenomori brings with it an easy familiarity which you probably didn't have on your first visit. ||here you are unlikely to see any non-japanese guests or english translations of anything from the food to the wash toilet instructions. but isn't that the whole reason you visit a foreign country, to immerse yourself completely in the local ambience? the friendly and helpful staff here make the whole experience both delightful and memorable.||the location on a forested hill with no neighboring buildings is soothing, special, and unusual in densely populated japan.||if you fly into kansai international airport, other than a taxi costing up to $300 or taking several trains, the best bet is to go on an airport bus to osaka's other airport, itami, and then take a taxi to the ryokan/onsen.||be sure to visit the supermarket in minoo (also spelled minoh and mino) to pick up some special japanese snacks and other treats. there is also a good bakery.||a storm has damaged part of the road up to the waterfall, which means we needed to detour via a trail with some fairly steep steps. so check whether the repairs have been completed and if not, wear hiking footwear.||also be sure to visit the insect museum which includes a wonderful butterfly garden. i happened to have used organic moisturizer on my legs which clearly attracted the butterflies who enjoyed sipping on this special treat!||but back to the main reason you come here: whether you choose a western or sleep-on-a-futon-on-the-floor japanese room (definitely recommend that, unless you have a very bad back), this is one of the friendliest and most enjoyable japanese hotsprings inns i've visited. ||and i finally figured out which way to turn to shower and soak in the hot tub - one way for men, the other for women, reversing from morning to evening so everybody gets to enjoy both the different indoor and also wonderful view outdoor hot tub soak...

so i did, bringing along two friends who had never used chopsticks before, let alone eaten raw fish!||but by the time our three-day visit was over, they weren't even asking for a fork and were sampling sushi like it was a regular item on their diet.||everything i wrote about minoo sanso kazenomori in my earlier review still holds true - and add to that the special welcome i was given as a returning guest.||my flight was delayed more than two hours, so we didn't check in until midnight. although reception usually closes at 10pm, the manager kindly stayed until we arrived to welcome us.||returning to a place like Minoo Sanso Kazenomori brings with it an easy familiarity which you probably didn't have on your first visit. ||here you are unlikely to see any non-japanese guests or english translations of anything from the food to the wash toilet instructions. but isn't that the whole reason you visit a foreign country, to immerse yourself completely in the local ambience? the friendly and helpful staff here make the whole experience both delightful and memorable.||the location on a forested hill with no neighboring buildings is soothing, special, and unusual in densely populated japan.||if you fly into kansai international airport, other than a taxi costing up to $300 or taking several trains, the best bet is to go on an airport bus to osaka's other airport, itami, and then take a taxi to the ryokan/onsen.||be sure to visit the supermarket in minoo (also spelled minoh and mino) to pick up some special japanese snacks and other treats. there is also a good bakery.||a storm has damaged part of the road up to the waterfall, which means we needed to detour via a trail with some fairly steep steps. so check whether the repairs have been completed and if not, wear hiking footwear.||also be sure to visit the insect museum which includes a wonderful butterfly garden. i happened to have used organic moisturizer on my legs which clearly attracted the butterflies who enjoyed sipping on this special treat!||but back to the main reason you come here: whether you choose a western or sleep-on-a-futon-on-the-floor japanese room (definitely recommend that, unless you have a very bad back), this is one of the friendliest and most enjoyable japanese hotsprings inns i've visited. ||and i finally figured out which way to turn to shower and soak in the hot tub - one way for men, the other for women, reversing from morning to evening so everybody gets to enjoy both the different indoor and also wonderful view outdoor hot tub soak...

if you want a spectacular overview of - as in a view over - osaka city, this is the place to visit. the food, the hot springs bath, the rooms, the friendly service...all are a bonus.||you can choose a japanese or western style room (or a combination of the two), with or without your own bath. ||breakfast is buffet style with a large selection of about 40 mostly japanese items but you can find fruit and yoghurt at the end of the line. dinner is typically served in your room.||a shuttle bus runs regularly between the hotel and the nearby town of Minoh (also spelled Mino or Minoo). ||on the outskirts of town you will pass by some shops with the owners out front deep-frying small maple leaves in sweet batter, a local delicacy - and a chance, if you are a Canadian, to eat your country's national emblem!||it's then an easy 35-minute 2.4km forested walk up along a stream to the Minoh Waterfall. if you've never been to a butterfly garden, it's definitely worth visiting the one that's part of the Insect Museum which you pass on your left 0.7km from town on your way up.||there are steeper paths either side of the main track if you want slightly more strenuous hiking. you'll find plenty of well-maintained toilets along the way.||the waterfall is a pleasant place for a visit before you head back down. along the way you'll find various food outlets - from snacks to full meals.||the hotel provides a great base from which to explore the northern part of Osaka. it's only about a half-hour drive from Osaka's...