68th Korankei Gorge Maple Festival (Korankei Momiji Matsuri)

Asuke-Area

11/1/2023 ～ 11/30/2023

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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 some 4,000 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
The city of Toyota's Tourism PR Ambassadors come for a solemn yet brilliant ceremony.
Date and time: From 5:00 pm on Wed, Nov 1
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, Wed, Nov 1–Thu, 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: 1:00 pm–2:00 pm on Sun, Nov 5 (canceled should rain occur)
Venue: Around the Asuke townscape: Front of the Asuke Community Center–torii gate outside JA Aichi Bank

19th Yosakoi Dance Performance by Chukyo University's Hachimae Troupe
Young students dance with their all. Don't miss this energetic performance utilizing the character of the Asuke townscape!!
Date and time: Parade from Shin-machi area to Hon-machi area from 1:00 pm on Sun, Oct 29
Performance at the Jinya-Ato Square from 1:30 pm
Notes:
• Held at the same times on Fri, Nov 3 (national holiday) should rain occur.
Venue: Jinya-Ato Square (inside the Asuke Historic Townscape)

Monkey show
Date and time: Multiple times a day, almost every day. 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 and time: Sat, Nov 18, 2023 (Tora Chindon group)
Sun, Nov 19, 2023 (Toyota Tonohime & Kizuna group)
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–8:45 pm; Sat, Nov 4–Sun, Nov 26 (not held on Thu, Nov 23 [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–8:45 on weekends, Sat, Nov 11–Sun, Nov 26
Notes:
• Not held on Sun, Nov 12 due to Kojakuji Temple projection mapping.
• Not held on Thu, Nov 23 (national holiday).
Venue: Right-side bank of the Tomoe River and below Nishi-machi parking lot no. 2.
Notes:
• Entry restrictions to the riverside may occur.

Middle Ages Asuke exhibition in the Asuke townscape
Asuke is home to ages of history such as that of its renowned Asuke Castle, ringing in its 30th anniversary this year since reconstruction. Asuke also enjoyed a rich history of ceramics as shown by a report released last year on the excavation of the Shiohazama Kiln Site in the town of Hosoda. The report brings to light Asuke's ceramics industry of the middle ages and the fact that the ceramic roof tiles of Asuke Hachimangu Shrine actually came from that very Shiohazama Kiln. Take a step back in time thanks to an exhibition of archeological remains and artifacts, and imagine the Asuke of yesteryear as you walk through its historic townscape.
Date and time: 9:00 am–5:00 pm; Fri, Oct 20–Wed, Dec 6 (closed Thu, Oct 26)
Venue: Asuke Chuma Museum
Price: Free of charge

Simultaneously held event!
Folding Screen Illustration of Asuke Jiro Shigenori's Army Going into Battle at Mt. Kasagi, displayed at the Former Taguchi Residence
The Former Taguchi Residence acts as the townscape information center and is open every day during November.

Ohwa Shuttle Bus

Operation period: Every day Sat, Nov 11–Thu, Nov 30, 2023
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 for 2023. 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:379.49KB)

Asuke Korankei Access Map

Asuke Korankei Access Map (file size:339.7KB)

Ohwa Shuttle Bus

Oiden Bus Sanage-Asuke Line

Oiden Bus Toyota-shi Station to Korankei

Basic Information

Parking

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	Wed, Nov 1–Thu, Nov 30, 2023
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	Korankei Gorge vs. Obara Shikizakura: Toyota City's utterly popular spot for autumn leaves! TOYOTA Asuke Tourist Association website (Japanese) TOYOTA Asuke Tourist Association 68th Korankei Gorge Maple Festival event page (Japanese with some English)