Autumn Leaves
With its brilliant fall foliage and abundant nature, Toyota-City is a perfect autumnal destination. It features many unique sights such as Korankei, known nationwide for its autumn colors, and Shikizakura Four-Season Cherry Blossom trees, which offer the rare combination of cherry blossoms and autumn leaves.
- 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.
- Japan is famous for its cherry blossom in spring and autumn leaves in fall, and that makes it difficult to choose when to come to Japan. But fear not! Aichi has the perfect solution for this dilemma.
- This festival is held each year from early to late November in Otaki Gorge, a popular fall foliage spot a little less than an hour from Nagoya. The natural beauty of rough boulders hewn by the rapids and red and yellow leaves create a sight not found anywhere else.
- This festival is for enjoying the red maple leaves at Sasado Park while eating natural yam, a specialty of Asahi. You can also take a hands-on lesson to make a bowl of grated yam and rice or you can harvest yams in the field. Stage entertainment includes taiko drummers, pole martial arts, and acoustic music performances.
- The spacious grounds of historic Sanage Shrine include a maple tree forest area with gorgeous autumn colors. Trees begin changing color in early November, with the best viewing time predicted to be from middle to late November.
- Lake Mikawa, the entrance to Aichi Kogen Quasi-National Park, is surrounded by approximately 700 maple trees. Each year in November, walking events are held to enjoy the autumn scenery. Visitors can choose from three courses: one to enjoy the rustic scenery and food, one that goes all the way around the lake, and one that offers new discoveries about Lake Mikawa.
- Aichi Prefectural Greenification Center and its vivid fall colors act as the main venue for the Fujioka Maple Festival in addition to three other areas letting you gaze upon autumn leaves and their distinctive hues, such as Shimokawaguchi Osawa Pond and the colorful reflections off its water. Each event area offers illumination of the trees during the festival period for an awesome display of beautiful reds and yellows. Perfect for a day of fall beauty with friends or family.