Day Trip from North Osaka: Nissin Cup Noodle Museum & Oedo Onsen

Osaka isn't just about Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori! North Osaka offers many fascinating attractions, and a day trip to the area will help you discover its charms. The Nissin Instant Noodles Museum offers a glimpse into the history of instant noodles and a chance to experience making them yourself. Minoh Oedo Onsen offers a beautiful hot spring experience. Daruma Katsuo-ji Temple is not only a place to pray for good fortune, but also a must-see during cherry blossom season when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom!

- Attractions | North Osaka Day Trip -

▲ Nissin Instant Noodles Museum
The Museum features models, panels, and real objects that explain the history of instant noodles and cup noodles worldwide. It showcases various Nissin instant noodle products dating back to 1958, many of which are no longer in production. Along with a large collection of instant noodles, the museum walls also feature large photographs of Momofuku Ando. A highlight of the museum is the wooden house where Ando invented instant noodles. The restored structure is furnished exactly as it was back then. Additionally, a giant model of the internal structure of Cup Noodles, the world's first Cup Noodle vending machine, and a Cup Noodle disaster relief vehicle will deepen visitors' understanding of instant noodles.

To further enhance visitors' understanding of instant noodles, the museum has opened a "Cup Noodle Making Experience Hall," where visitors can participate in the making of Cup Noodles themselves and take home a unique cup noodle. To commemorate Ando's invention of the world's first packaged chicken broth instant noodles in 1958, the museum also regularly hosts chicken broth noodle-making events, where visitors can make their own packet of chicken broth noodles under the guidance of an instructor.

▲Daruma Katsuo-ji Temple
Originally named "Katsuo-ji Temple," the name became popular due to the homophony between "王" and "尾" in Japanese. Many people come here to seek luck and fortune. It's also a great place to enjoy the autumn leaves.

There are two main reasons to visit this temple. First, Daruma, Japan's mascot. The lack of vibrant red between his hands and feet, contrasting with his heroic eyebrows and beard, adds a touch of interest and life to his posture. Second, the garden's beauty is enhanced by the vibrant colors of the flowers and trees that change with each season. In spring, various cherry blossoms, including the Hikanzakura, Weeping Sakura, Double Sakura, and Mountain Sakura, bloom, with the late blooms concentrated from mid-April to early May. The garden is popular with visitors seeking blessings for success in business, exams, sports, and the arts, earning it a widespread reputation.

▲Minoh Oedo Onsen
Minoh Kanko Hotel Spa Garden is also a hot spring theme park. The hot springs are known as "Beauty's Hot Spring." The water is a carbonated hydrogen salt spring, also known as "Life-No-Onsen." It gushes from the ground of Minoh, a city famous for its crimson leaves and waterfalls. The spring's excellent quality is highly recommended for its beautiful skin.