Speechless at the sight of this mountain scene

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.

Event details

Mt. Iimori light display
Korankei Gorge shows its colors even at night. A light display highlights the trees' colors on Mt. Iimori in shades of gold, creating a surreal view amid Taigetsukyo Bridge's vibrant red color and a shimmering Tomoe River.
• Date and time: Sundown–9:00 pm; Sat, Nov 1–Sun, Nov 30, 2025
Note:
• No extensions to the period or time.

Maple Festival Opening Ceremony
Toyota City's tourism ambassadors make an appearance as free sweet adzuki bean soup is given out and a taiko drum performance by Sanshu Asuke Taiko takes place. Help start the Maple Festival off with a bang!
• Date and time: 4:00 pm–5:00 pm; Sat, Nov 1, 2025 (Sanshu Asuke Taiko performance: 4:30 pm–5:00 pm. Canceled should rainy weather occur.)
• Location: Korankei Square

Monkey show
• Date and time: From 9:00 am almost every day during the Maple Festival period (canceled should rainy weather occur)
• Location: Korankei Square

Otani High School dance performance
Otani High School's dance club—well known from the high school dance video fest LOVE Dan—cuts a rug in an exciting performance!
• Date and time: 12:00 pm–12:30 pm (Korankei Square) and 1:00 pm–1:30 pm (Jinya-Ato Square); Mon, Nov 3 (national holiday), 2025
• Location: Korankei Square and Jinya-Ato Square in the Asuke townscape

City of Toyota's Toyota Illusion Magic Junior Marching Band Maple Festival Traffic Safety Parade
A parade taking off from Asuke Community Center with a total of 80 musicians offers a powerful performance and colorful parade along the roads of Asuke's historic townscape all the way up to the entrance to Mt. Kannon. Traffic safety merchandise is handed out with members from the community.
• Date and time: From 1:00 pm; Sun, Nov 9, 2025 (canceled should rainy weather occur)
• Location: Around the Asuke townscape

Olden-time marching band parade
Locals volunteer for this odd, olden-time parade using eccentric instruments for an entertaining good time.
• Time: All bands performing around 10:00 am–3:00 pm (canceled should rainy weather occur)
• Dates:
Sat, Nov 22: Tora Chindon group
Mon, Nov 24 (national holiday): Kizuna group
Sat, Nov 29: Emihana Chindon group
• Location: From the Asuke Historic Townscape to Korankei Gorge (Mt. Iimori side)
Note:
• 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 1–Sun, Nov 30, 2025 (Unavailable on Mon, Nov 3 and Mon, Nov 24 [national holidays]. Canceled should rainy weather occur.)
• Venue: Pathway from main gate to Kojakuji Temple

Wishing candles
Help line the riverbanks near Tomoe Bridge with some 800 glass candles for JPY 500 per candle. Adding a candle is said to make your wishes come true.
• Date and time: 6:00 pm–8:30 pm on weekends, Sat, Nov 8–Sun, Nov 30, 2025 (Unavailable on Mon, Nov 24 [national holiday]. Canceled should rainy weather occur.)
• Location: Right-side bank of the Tomoe River and below Nishi-machi Parking Lot No. 2.
Note:
• Entry restrictions to the riverside may occur.

DENKEN Traditional Buildings Stamp Rally along Asuke townscape
Stamps are placed at the three spots below in Asuke's historic townscape. Collect all three stamps to receive an original sticker!
• Date: Sat, Nov 1–Sun, Nov 30, 2025 (times vary by the hours of each facility)
• Locations and times:
Former Suzuki Residence (open 10:00 am–4:00 pm)
Former Taguchi Residence (open 10:00 am–5:00 pm)
Asuke Chumakan History Museum (open 9:00 am–5:00 pm)
• Admission: All facilities available to enter, free of charge

Simultaneously held event: Former Taguchi Residence's Terufumi Karasawa Asuke Festival Posters and Stamp Cards of Asuke's Seven Castles Exhibition
Gaze upon the delightful posters promoting the Asuke Festival, drawn by Terufumi Karasawa over the past 10 years (2015–2025). Original illustrations used on the seven castles of Asuke and a folding screen illustrated with famous Lord Asuke Jiro Shigenori's image also on display.

2025 Walking Map

2025 Walking Map (file size:Byte)

Asuke-Korankei Access Map

Asuke-Korankei Access Map (file size:Byte)

Public transportation

Ohwa Bus timetable (departing from Yakusa Station on the Aichi Loop Line)

• Operation period: Sat, Nov 15–Sun, Nov 30, 2025 (unavailable Wed, Nov 19; Thu, Nov 20; Wed, Nov 26; and Thu, Nov 27, 2025)
• Course: To and from Yakusa Station on the Aichi Loop Line and Korankei Gorge
• Fare: JPY 1,000 for adults / JPY 500 for children (up to elementary school ages)

No buses to and from Korankei Gorge and Asuke Castle. Please use Hinode Taxi (0565-62-0064).

Bus inquiries: Ohwa Co., Ltd. Asuke Branch (0565-67-2222)

November 2025 Toyota Oiden Bus timetable

Notes:
• Please note that a reduced number of buses is in service during the three-day holiday from Sat, Nov 22–Mon, Nov 24 (national holiday), 2025.
• Weekends and national holidays are expected to experience congestion. On those days, the bus runs straight from Chikaoka-kami Bus Stop along Route 153, stopping at Asuke Ohashi Bus Stop, near Korankei Gorge. These buses do not stop at Asuke Byoin Bus Stop. Asuke Ohashi Bus Stop is just outside Palette grocery store and a 10-min. walk from Korankei Gorge.

November 2025 Meitetsu Bus timetable

There two bus departures: Toyotashi (Station) Bus Stop on the Yanami Line and Meitetsu Higashi Okazaki-eki (Station) Bus Stop on the Okazaki–Asuke Line.

Notes:
• A reduced number of buses is in service on weekends and national holidays during November 2025 as congestion is expected.
• Please note that the timetables on Sat, Nov 1–Fri, Nov 7 and Sat, Nov 8–Sun, Nov 30, 2025 differ.

The area around Korankei Gorge experiences congestion during the autumn leaves season. Check the congestion status before heading out and use detours.

Congestion status around Korankei Gorge (Google Maps)

Detour map (link to Google Maps)

There are no garbage cans available in the area. Please bring your trash home with you.

Toyota's Korankei Autumn Leaves Light-up & Obara Shikizakura 1 Day Bus Tour

Toyota's Korankei Illuminated Autumn Leaves & Obara Shikizakura One-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 Square
Period	Sat, Nov 1–Sun, Nov 30, 2025
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 get off at Korankei Bus Stop (approx. 60-min ride). It's just a short walk from the bus stop. • From Toyotashi Station on the Meitetsu Toyota Line and Mikawa Line, change to the Meitetsu Bus's Yanami Line bound for Asuke, and get off at Korankei Bus Stop (approx. 45-min. ride). It's just a short walk from the bus stop. • From Higashi Okazaki Station on the Meitetsu Nagoya Line, change to the Meitetsu Bus's Okazaki–Asuke Line bound for Asuke, and get off at Korankei Bus Stop (approx. 70-min. ride). It's just a short walk from the bus stop. Notes: • Please note that buses returning to Higashi Okazaki Station stop operation from 7:00 pm on weekdays. • Be advised regarding the buses below during the Korankei Gorge Maple Festival period: Toyota Oiden Buses: Less buses are in service during the three-day consecutive holiday from Sat, Nov 22 to Mon, Nov 24 (national holiday), 2025. Meitetsu Buses: Some buses do not operate in certain areas of the normal route on Sat, Nov 8; Sun, Nov 9; Sat, Nov 15; Sun, Nov 16; Sat, Nov 22; Sun, Nov 23; Mon, Nov 24 (national holiday); Sat, Nov 29; and Sun, Nov 30, 2025. See the "Public transportation" section of this page for more details.
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. Vehicles without ETC are no longer able to get on and off the Tokai-Kanjo Expressway as of April 2025. If your vehicle does not have ETC capabilities, please exit from Toyota Interchange on the Tomei Expressway.
Related links	TOYOTA Asuke Tourist Association 70th Korankei Gorge Maple Festival event page (Japanese with some English)