Day Trip to Mount Inunaki: Nature-filled Scenery and a Soothing Waterfall in Japan's Oldest Mountain Spiritual Center Day Trip to Mount Inunaki: Nature-filled Scenery and a Soothing Waterfall in Japan's Oldest Mountain Spiritual Center

HomeItinerariesDay Trip to Mount Inunaki: Nature-filled Scenery and a Soothing Waterfall in Japan's Oldest Mountain Spiritual Center
  • Historical Sites
  • Nature Spots
  • Hands-on Experiences
  • Shugendo Mountain Asceticism

Get a feel for Japan's ancient Shugendo mountain asceticism through some light hikingGet a feel for Japan's ancient Shugendo mountain asceticism through some light hiking

This one-day course takes you to Mount Inunaki, an area referred to as a primeval forest with sightseeing centering on Shipporyu-ji Temple and the 28 sutra mounds of Katsuragi which serve as a central training grounds for Shugendo believers. Enjoy light hiking through beautiful Inunaki Gorge
while savoring hot springs, tasty foods, a cafe surrounded by natural scenery and other enjoyable sites and activities along the way.

Total Duration: Approx. 7 Hours

Nankai Electric Railway Nankai Izumisano Stn.

Nankai Electric Railway Nankai Izumisano Stn. Nankai Electric Railway Nankai Izumisano Stn.
The tour starts at Izumisano Station, just 10 minutes from Kansai International Airport (KIX)

Your day of sightseeing begins at Izumisano Station, a common starting point for Senshu-area tourism that is easy to reach from KIX using any of the frequent trains. From here, you'll board a bus for Mount Inunaki. Buses bound for Mount Inunaki also depart from JR Hineno Station, so either station can serve as your starting point.

Approx. 35 min. by bus

Inunakisan Bus Stop

Just a short bus ride into the heart of nature

Ride the bus for about 35 minutes from the busy station-front district and you'll find yourself surrounded by the beauty of Mother Nature. This is Mount Inunaki, the mountain spiritual center established by the founder of the Shugendo religion, En no Gyoja. It is believed that the legendary Buddhist monk Kobo Daishi (Kukai) also trained here.
In recent years, Mount Inunaki has become popular as a spiritual “power spot” that's easy to reach from KIX.

Inunakisan Bus Stop
Mere steps from the bus stop!

Minamitei

Minamitei
Minamitei
Minamitei
  • Minamitei
  • Minamitei
  • Minamitei
  • Minamitei
  • Minamitei

If you arrive at the right time, you'll have the option of enjoying a luxurious Minamitei meal at a reasonable price. We recommend the day-use hot spring package, which includes hot spring bathing as well as a meal. Cuisine served here includes Senshu's famous Inunaki pork, Izumi-dako octopus and more accompanied by delectable seasonal selections. Your stomach will thank you!
As for the hot springs, this area is known as the world's most easily accessible hot spring resort due to its easy access from KIX. The baths use simple sulfur cold mineral spring water (hypotonic alkaline cold mineral spring water), which moisturizes the skin thoroughly and is believed to help with poor blood circulation (high sensitivity to cold), rheumatism, and various other conditions. After you've refreshed yourself with a soak, the next stop is Shipporyu-ji Temple.
If you head this way during the relatively early hours of the day, stop by Cafe Terrace Ku to try their daily-special meals, which change regularly.

Address: 大阪府泉佐野市大木2236
Tel: 0120-12-3731 (072-459-7336)
Website: http://www.minamitei.com/

(Please view the website for further details)

Approx. a 30-minute walk

Shipporyu-ji Temple

Shipporyu-ji Temple
Shipporyu-ji Temple
  • Shipporyu-ji Temple
  • Shipporyu-ji Temple
  • Shipporyu-ji Temple

After walking along the mountain path for a ways, you'll see the Otaki Fudo Myo-o no Torii gate—that's when you know that you're almost at the temple. If you go by taxi or car instead, this will be your starting point. Various Buddhist images, including those of Ugayahakunaga Benzaiten and Minoshiro Fudo, are located along the trail to the waterfall, so take your time and look around.
Once you pass the Main Hall and Kiyotaki-do Hall, you'll arrive at Gyoja-no-taki Falls. Take in the refreshing sounds of the mountain stream and waterfall amidst this primeval forest filled with old pine trees, away from the hustle and bustle of the city, as you forget your worries and relax.
Because entry to the sacred Mount Omine area was traditionally forbidden to women, Mount Inunaki came to be known as Nyonin Omine—meaning “Mount Omine for women”—and even today it is popular among female believers in Shugendo who come to meditate under the waterfall. You can try this out for yourself if you're interested, although the experience is only available on certain days so advance inquiry and reservations are recommended.

Address: 大阪府泉佐野市大木8
Tel: 072-459-7101
Website: https://inunakisan.jp/en/

(Please view the website for further details)

Shipporyu-ji Temple

Spotlight
On the way to the Main Hall, the path forks with one route leading to a famous spot known as “The Five Pine Trees.” This extra stopover requires about 70 additional minutes of walking, so if you're up for a bit of a hike we recommend checking it out!

Approx. a 30-minute walk

Cafe Terrace Ku

Cafe Terrace Ku
Cafe Terrace Ku
Cafe Terrace Ku
  • Cafe Terrace Ku
  • Cafe Terrace Ku
  • Cafe Terrace Ku
  • Cafe Terrace Ku
  • Cafe Terrace Ku

After returning from the temple to the hot spring village, take a break at Cafe Terrace Ku to complete your journey. The terrace dining area provides a nature-filled cafe experience impossible to find anywhere back in the city. Impressively, the entire cafe was built personally by the owner! If you stick around long enough, you may spot one of the four pet cats living here—it's the perfect cafe for feline fanatics!
Enjoy Inunaki pork, Inunaki chicken and other items from their widely varied menu, any of which makes the perfect lunchtime dish.

Address: 大阪府泉佐野市大木7
Tel: 072-459-7136

(Please call for further details)

Nankai Electric Railway Nankai Izumisano Stn.

  • Inunakisan Bus Stop
  • Minamitei
  • Shipporyu-ji Temple
  • Cafe Terrace Ku