Hoshida Enchi - The Star Swing



What?

Hoshida Enchi (星田園地) is one of the many smaller parks in the quasi national park of Osaka Fumin no Mori (大阪府民の森). It boasts a bunch of beginner hikes, possibilities to camp & picnic, a climbing wall, and most famously a 280 meter long suspension bridge for hikers which is called Hoshi no Buranko (星のブランコ) or Star Swing.

Where?

Hoshida Enchi is best reached by getting off at the Keihan Kisaichi Train Station (京阪私市駅). From there it’s a 40 minute walk to the actual entrance of the park. While the walk follows the main road and is far from spectacular, it is well maintained so the main road is barely visible and does not bother. Just follow the arrows to Hoshi no Sato Iwafune Center (星の里いわふね), cross the river when you see the center and immediately turn left and keep following the same river.
There is also a bus stop at the park, but it’s only served on Saturday, and even then only twice a day. So I strongly recommend the walk.


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I’m not a die-hard hiker nor am I in great shape. But I do like hiking and have done my fair share of trekking courses, from beginner level like the Mino Waterfall to the very adventurous levels of let’s say Yatsubuchi-no-Taki. That cannot be said about my wife who accompanied me on this trip. She’s not really used to up-and-down terrain and while she’s fairly fit, she’s not a fervent walker (she thinks the 15 minute walk to the train station is bothersome). So when I decided to go hiking in Hoshida Enchi I invited her because the park seems to have a few interesting courses for beginners. And there are vending machines!

The walk from the station to the actual entrance of the park – which is a parking lot – is fairly bland but still ok. It follows a river on its forest side. From the parking lot it’s a little while longer before you really enter the forest and are greeted by toilets, a resting space and a climbing wall. In good weather families with their children come here at noon to enjoy a picnic and some bug catching.
Passing the climbing wall the hike actually begins. It feels a bit strange that there is such a natural area in such close vicinity of the Osaka metropolis. The first stop will be the Hoshi no Buranko suspension bridge. The park is well maintained and signage is very clear so it’s hard to miss to correct direction. The bridge is really impressive and so is the view. It must be even more beautiful in autumn when the leaves have a variety of colours. Crossing the bridge you really feel it sway gently which might frighten some people but I thought calling the bridge “swing” was really apt. I did make the mistake of looking down. As I’m not too comfortable with heights my heart did skip a beat when seeing the ground 50 meters below me.


Once you cross the bridge you have several options to keep in hiking in the park. They are all really well indicated so whichever you choose you can’t wrong. We chose to head for the observation deck from where you have an fantastic view of the forest, the bridge and the city behind. After that we head for the Rakuyou Course which was the shortest route back, but also the toughest according to the signage. But there’s really no need to worry; the steps might have been steep but the path was far from challenging. Maybe if you chose to take the other – upward – direction, yes, it might have been tough.

All in all going to see the Star Swing is nice day out for anyone who wants to enjoy some nature. As the courses are all of beginner level it’s fit for everyone. The only pickle is the walk towards the park and the lack of alternatives if you don’t have a car.



>>More pictures<<


Yoris

Just dwelling away.

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