Approximately 370 meters of walking paths lined by wisteria flowers, offering entrancing and beautiful views of the blossoms from late April to early May. A wisteria festival is held during Golden Week, when the wisteria flowers are in full bloom.

The basic pattern of the Asuke Townscape (Important Preservation District of Historic Buildings) was formed during the Sengoku era, while the modern layout of the town developed in the early Edo period. The current townscape is lined with machiya townhouses built after the great fire of 1775 in the nurigome-zukuri style, which are coated in plaster to the eaves in order to prevent fires, and conveys the look of the town in those da...

Located atop Mt. Mayumi-yama and at 301m above sea level, Asuke Castle offers a breathtaking view of the small town of Asuke below. The castle is believed to have been constructed by the Suzuki clan, who wielded great power throughout the western Mikawa area’s mountainous region from the 15th century. The castle was abandoned in 1590 when Tokugawa Ieyasu, the famous shogun who united Japan, left the Mikawa area for the Kanto area wh...

In the Asuke area, next to Asuke Ham ZiZi Studio, there’s a popular store that sells handmade bread called Barbara House Bakery. Inside, cheerful senior citizens bake as many as 20 different kinds of bread without the use of preservatives. Barbara House is located inside Hyakunensou, a hotel which also has a restaurant, a day bath, and nursing home facilities. Either eat your treats right away in the scenic eating area overlooking th...

Korankei Gorge is famous as a location for fall foliage. The best time to see the foliage is from mid-November through late November, and there are many signature sights to see, such as a tunnel of foliage spanning from the promenade to Kojaku-ji Temple, as well as a display of illumination from the Tomoebashi Bridge. In spring, there is a lovely carpet of dogtooth violet that covers the grounds. You can also see beautiful scenery wh...

Sanshu Shishi Mori Shachu is a workshop and gallery offering a range of accessory and craft activities using a selection of the bones and hides of deer and wild boar. Create your own, one-of-a-kind accessory with deer antlers of different colors and shapes. It is said that deer are messengers of the gods, so perhaps wearing your accessory will bring you good luck!

This living folk culture museum opened in 1980. The former villa of a wealthy farming family has been reproduced here, with the rear house, main house, and a bamboo house featuring a thatched-roof with wooden construction. The Asuke Mansion reproduces handmade items that were a part of mountain life in the region, among them charcoal brazier cooking, traditional paper making, and weaving. Ten different handicrafts are demonstrated be...

Along the Old Road of Asuke, a once busy Shio-no-Michi route - as vital backbone trading roads were called - sits this peculiar bookstore, built with special attention for preserving the charming aspect of the olden times. Merging bookshop with gallery and café, it sits in the corner formed by the main road and the adjacent Manrin Alley, joining other buildings in the townscape that feature the beautiful contrasting plaster and black...

It is said that the Asuke Hachimangu Shrine answers the prayers of people for healthier feet. This is because Asuke used to be a crossroads where people could rest their feet. The shrine provides amulets for healthier feet and written oracles called omikuji. The main chamber of the shrine is a national important cultural asset.

Take in a breathtaking view of 1,200 shikizakura cherry trees as their flowers contrast with fiery autumn leaves, painting the mountain face at Senmi Shikizakura no Sato Park in fantastic pink and red hues. The Obara area is home to other great locations where you can see shikizakura cherry blossoms—a flower which unlike most cherry blossoms, blooms in both spring and fall. Below are some ideas on courses to take around Obara for a ...

Sasahira Workshop holds classes on making artistic handicrafts with lacquer or Japanese washi paper. Learn how to make accessories using the traditional technique of “maki-e” by painting on lacquer and layering on metal powder in the places you want to add color. Hypoallergenic lacquer allows participants to feel at ease with using the materials. Another hands-on experience involves making washi paper by building up layers of color a...

The Obara Fureai Park acts as a place of recreation and respite for local residents. The rich natural environs are home to paths to walk on, letting you enjoy a stroll and see the changing view of the four seasons. Furthermore, Obara Fureai Park and the adjoining Obara Branch of Toyota City Hall are where you will find 300 cherry blossom trees. They bloom in spring from mid-March through early April and in autumn from late October th...

You can try your hand at pottery in the workshop. The shop also exhibits and sells a range of pottery. Enjoy a breather in the cafe space, where they serve siphon coffee made with fresh well water and served in handmade vessels.

Culture is spread through information, information is spread through communication, communication is written on paper, paper is produced in Aichi. Kozo is the Japanese name for the mulberry trees that seem to grow particularly well in the Obara region of Aichi Prefecture’s Toyota City. These mulberry trees have been the source of the particularly strong and versatile traditionally handcrafted washi paper produced here since at lea...

Located in the Shimoyama area of Toyota City, Maple Leaves Road (Momiji Kaido), is a street lined with maple leaves in the vicinity of Kamo Golf Club. Starting at the junction of Prefectural Road 477 and continuing uphill a little way, the road is planted on both sides with maple trees. Along the way there is also a tunnel of maple leaves, creating some magnificent scenery.