69th Korankei Gorge Maple Festival (Korankei Momiji Matsuri)
11/1/2024 ～ 11/30/2024
- □
- □
- □
- □
The Japanese maples in Korankei Gorge were planted by San'ei, 11th priest of the area's Kojakuji Temple, 400 years ago as he chanted sutras on Mt. Iimori. Their relation to Kojakuji Temple gave them the long-held name of the "Kojakuji Temple Maples". However, in 1930, then president of Osaka Mainichi Newspaper Hikoichi Motoyama gave the gorge the name "Korankei", with "Ko" being borrowed from the "Ko" in Kojakuji Temple's name and meaning "scent" or "aroma", "ran" from the Japanese term for "crisp mountain air", and "kei" being the suffix for "gorge". The result was the area's new name of Korankei, or the "Gorge of Aromatic Mountain Breezes". And today, when people hear the name Korankei Gorge, those maples planted 400 years ago are the first thing that come to mind.
One of Japan's top spots to gaze upon the colors of autumn
Korankei Gorge is known around Japan as a renowned spot to admire fall colors. Its Maple Festival is held every year in November and lets you gaze upon the stunning beauty of about 3,000 Japanese maples during the peak of their autumn colors on Mt. Iimori.
When night rolls around during the festival period, the trees are lit up to create a mystical, breath-taking scene.
Opening Ceremony
As the opening events for the festival, there will be taiko drum and dance performance.
Date and time: From 11:00 am to 4:00 pm on Sat, Nov 2 (canceled should rain occur)
Venue: Korankei Gorge Square
Mt. Iimori Illumination
Korankei Gorge shows its colors even at night. Nighttime illumination of the trees colors Mt. Iimori in shades of gold, creating a surreal view with Taigetsu Bridge's vibrant red color and the lights reflecting off the Tomoe River.
Date and time: Sundown–9:00 pm, Fri, Nov 1–Sat, Nov 30
Notes:
• No extensions to the period or time.
City of Toyota's Toyota Illusion Magic Junior Marching Band Maple Festival Traffic Safety Parade
A parade with a total of 80 musicians offers a powerful performance and colorful parade along the roads of Asuke's historic townscape! Have fun taking in this ode to traffic safety during the Maple Festival!
Date and time: from 1:00 pm on Sun, Nov 10 (canceled should rain occur)
Venue: Around the Asuke townscape: Front of the Asuke Community Center–torii gate outside JA Aichi Bank
Monkey show
Date and time: Multiple times a day, almost every day from Sun, Nov 3rd. Times depend on the monkey.
Notes:
• Canceled should rainy weather occur. Held during the daytime only.
Olden-time marching band parade
Locals volunteer for this odd, olden-time parade using eccentric instruments for an entertaining good time.
Date:
Sat, Nov 16 (Tora Chindon group)
Sat, Nov 23 (Toyota Tonohime group)
Sun, Nov 24 (Kizuna group)
Sat, Nov 30 (Emihana Chindon group)
Time: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Venue: Asuke Historic Townscape–Korankei Gorge (Mt. Iimori side)–Korankei Gorge Square
Notes:
• Moving parade only to prevent people from clustering.
Bamboo lanterns at Kojakuji Temple
Approximately 1,000 bamboo lanterns line the pathway to majestic and serene Kojakuji Temple.
Date and time: 6:00 pm–8:30 pm on weekends; Sat, Nov 2–Sat, Nov 30 (not held on Mon, Nov 4 [national holiday])
Venue: Pathway from main gate to Kojakuji Temple
Notes:
• Canceled should rain occur.
Wishing candles
The riverbanks near Tomoe Bridge will be decorated up with some 800 glass candles lined up along the river. Lining them along the riverside is said to make your wishes come true. Available for JPY 500 a candle.
Date and time: 6:00 pm–8:30 pm on weekends, Sat, Nov 9–Sat, Nov 30
Venue: Right-side bank of the Tomoe River and below Nishi-machi parking lot no. 2.
Notes:
• Entry restrictions to the riverside may occur.
DENKEN Traditional Buildings Stamp Rally
Stamps will be placed at the Former Suzuki Residence, the Former Taguchi Residence, and Asuke Chuma Museum. Collect stamps from all three locations and receive an original sticker!
Date: Fri, Nov 1–Sat, Nov 30 *Times vary depending on the opening hours of each facility
Venue:
Former Suzuki Residence (Opening hours 10:00 am-4:00 pm)
Former Taguchi Residence (Opening hours 10:00 am-5:00 pm)
Asuke Chuma Museum (Opening hours 9:00 am-5:00 pm)
Price: Free of charge
Simultaneously held event!
Former Taguchi Residence "Yorozuya/Changes in Business" Exhibition
Asuke merchants changed the focus of their business to keep up with the changes and trends of the world, and they devoted themselves not only to business but also to hobbies and leisure.
The tools of trade and hobby items of such merchants will be on display.
Ohwa Shuttle Bus
Operation period: Every day Sat, Nov 9–Sat, Nov 30, 2024
Price: JPY 1,000 for adults / JPY 500 for children (both prices are for one-way trips)
Course: Yakusa Station on the Linimo Line⇔Korankei Gorge
Notes:
• There is no bus running between Korankei Gorge and Asuke Castle. Please use Hinode Taxi.
There are no garbage cans available in the area. Please bring your trash home with you.
Walking Map
Walking Map (English) (file size:1.36MB)
Asuke Korankei Access Map
Asuke Korankei Access Map (file size:743.54KB)
Ohwa Shuttle Bus
Oiden Bus Sanage-Asuke Line
Oiden Bus Toyota-shi Station to Korankei
Toyota's Korankei Autumn Leaves Light-up & Obara Shikizakura 1 Day Bus Tour
Basic Information
| Address | 〒444-2424 31 Iimori, Asuke-cho, Toyota-shi, Aichi Notes: • The map shows the location of Korankei Gorge Square. |
|---|---|
| Cost | Admission free of charge Notes: • Admission to the Sanshu Asuke Yashiki living museum inside Korankei Gorge requires a fee. |
| Business hours | Korankei Gorge area open 24 hours |
| Phone number | 0565-62-1272 (TOYOTA Asuke Tourist Association) |
| Parking | Available |
| Restrooms | Available |
| Location | Town of Asuke and Korankei Gorge Square |
| Period | Fri, Nov 1–Sat, Nov 30, 2024 |
| Directions by public transportation | • From Josui Station on the Meitetsu Toyota Line, change to the Toyota Oiden Bus's Sanage–Asuke Line bound for Hyakunenso, and ride until Korankei Bus Stop (approx. 60-min ride). • From Higashi Okazaki Station on the Meitetsu Nagoya Line, change to the bus bound for Asuke, and ride until Korankei Bus Stop (approx. 70-min. ride). • From Toyotashi Station on the Meitetsu Toyota Line and Mikawa Line, change to the Meitetsu Bus bound for Asuke, and get off at Korankei Bus Stop (approx. 45-min. ride). |
| Directions by car | • Approx. 20 min. from Toyota-Kanpachi Interchange on the Tokai-Kanjo Expressway. • Approx. 15 min. from Chikaraishi Interchange on Sanage Green Road. |
| Related links |
TOYOTA Asuke Tourist Association website (Japanese)
TOYOTA Asuke Tourist Association 68th Korankei Gorge Maple Festival event page (Japanese with some English) |
Area Information
Recommended Spots
