- WRC and surrounding must-see spots
- The City of Toyota is full of spectacular sights, unforgettable experiences, and incredible beauty. Use the information below to make your time in Toyota even more worthwhile through encounters with the city’s rich nature, heartwarming people, and tantalizing tastes.
Toyota area
Toyota Stadium
(Service Park)
Toyota Stadium
(Service Park)
Facing the Yahagigawa River, Toyota Stadium boasts its rank as one of Japan’s largest ball parks. The stadium acts as the stage for the Nagoya Grampus soccer team’s home games and numerous other large sporting events. For the WRC, it acts as the Service Park as well as the Ceremonial Start and Ceremonial Finish.
Nearby spots
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- Mt. Sanageyama
- Mt. Sanageyama on the northern edge of the municipality of Toyota is both a popular hiking destination and a sacred peak that has been revered from prehistoric times to the present. The mountain’s rounded summit (629m) is visible from afar from nearly all directions, making it an important landmark, and is thought to have been an object of enduring awe and curiosity among the people who lived on the surrounding plains. It is not clear when organized worship of Mt. Sanageyama began, but there have been shrines on its slopes since at least the ninth century that were originally sites for syncretic Shinto-Buddhist practice.
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- Koromo-jinja
Shrine - Koromo-jinja Shrine in central Toyota has played a significant role in the spiritual and social lives of residents for centuries. The shrine is believed to have been established in the twelfth century. It was patronized by the local daimyo lords and revered by their subjects throughout the Edo period (1603–1867). Though frequented by worshipers year round, it is busiest during the annual Koromo Festival, when giant floats are displayed on the shrine grounds and paraded through the city.
- Koromo-jinja
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- Ishino Circuit
- From the rental go-kart to the helmet and gloves, everything you need for racing can be rented. This is an easy racing circuit you can stop by and enjoy even on the way home from work. If you gather a group of friends, there are a large number of reservation plans to choose from! How about a taste of what it feels like to be a real race car driver?
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- Urano Sake
Brewery - Urano Sake Brewery was established in 1864. Seishu Kikuishi, the brewery’s signature product, takes its name from Sanage-jinja Shrine, after Kikuishi stones, a natural monument found near the shrine on Mt. Sanageyama, a sacred mountain in Mikawa.
The brewery has maintained its traditional handmade brewing method for the roughly 150 years since its establishment, all the while seeking opportunities to spread the joy of local sake to more and more people.
Seishu Kikuishi features a mild taste and pleasant aftertaste.
Come and visit the brewery shop, where you can sample sake.
- Urano Sake
Toyota area
Kuragaike Park
Kuragaike Park
Kuragaike Park lies just east of downtown Toyota and displays incredible seasonal colors with its cherry blossoms in spring and fall leaves in autumn. The expansive park offers a variety of fun with its numerous facilities, including a zoo, botanical garden, pastureland, large indoor playground equipment for rainy days, and a zip cord at Forest Adventure Toyota Kuragaike.
Nearby spots
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- Matsudaira-go
Enchi Park - Matsudaira-go Enchi Park is a five-acre expanse of greenery next to the main road in the village of Matsudaira, along the way from Matsudaira Toshogu Shrine to Kogetsuin Temple. The park was designed to represent the local landscape as it might have looked during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries when the Matsudaira family controlled these lands. Seasonal flowers bloom in the park from spring to autumn. There are cherry blossoms in March and April, iris and hydrangea in early summer, and bush clover (hagi) in autumn, when the red and yellow foliage also adds to the colorful scene. A small stream winds through the park into a small pond. Fireflies can sometimes be seen around the stream on evenings in June, and the pond provides a habitat for scarlet dwarf dragonflies.
- Matsudaira-go
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- Otaki Gorge
- Otaki Gorge is a tranquil hiking spot located between the city of Toyota and Matsudaira-go. The 1.8-kilometer gorge is 148 meters deep and was made by the swift flow of the Nio River into the Tomoe River further downstream. The western end of the gorge is near Myoshoji Temple. On either side of the river is an observation deck: the Fudosan Observatory on one side and the Fukuroga Castle Observatory on the other. Both have sweeping views of the valley below. Walking trails follow the river, leading further up the gorge to the east to the secluded Utaishi Park and Otaki Lake.
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- Toyota Kuragaike
Commemorative
Hall - The Toyota Kuragaike Commemorative Hall, located beside Kuragaike Park, was built in 1974 by the Toyota Motor Corporation. The modernist building was designed by Maki Fumihiko (b. 1928) to celebrate the manufacture of the company’s 10 millionth vehicle. The hall is both a guesthouse for VIPs visiting the company headquarters and a public museum dedicated to the history of Toyota Motor Corporation.
- Toyota Kuragaike
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- Toyota City Folk
Craft Museum - Toyota City Folk Craft Museum is a facility that commemorates Shizuo Honda, a scholar of ancient ceramics. The inside is devoted to the appreciation of exquisite handiwork and the beauty of folk craft. The museum has started holding a number of lectures on Sanagekoyo pottery, Koromo cotton, and other industrial art with connections to the surrounding regions. Located in a wooded nature area next to Hiratobashi Park, the museum plans an exhibition three times per year in coordination with the changing seasons, where visitors are able to come in contact with the beginnings of craftsmanship through marvelous handiwork.
In addition, Mingei no Mori opened on the former site of Shizuo Honda’s house in April of 2016.
- Toyota City Folk
Asahi area
Asahi Nature Highland
Asahi Nature Highland
Asahi Nature Highland is located at an elevation of 650 meters above sea level. It offers a farm-style zoo letting you play with the animals, camping and BBQ sites, hands-on classes letting you make things like your own sausages, stargazing, and numerous other activities. Asahi Nature Highland’s distance from the city lets you experience a truly unforgettable nighttime view of the cosmos.
Nearby spots
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- Yahagi Dam
- Yahagi Dam is an arched concrete dam that embanks the Yahagigawa River, creating Oku Yagahiko Lake. Oku Yagahiko Lake is located in a resort area offering numerous natural spectacles, such as cherry blossoms, wisterias, and fall leaves, making it a popular tourist attraction.
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- Nakagaki Sake
Brewery - Nakagaki Shuzo Shikan Refined Sake Brewery brews its spirits with incredibly soft, natural spring water. “Josen” has enjoyed its role as Shikan Sake’s go-to product since its establishment in 1900 and offers an incredibly sweet flavor profile with a -8 on the Sake Meter Value (SMV). “Daiginjo” lies on the drier side of its sweeter counterparts while offering a much more robust flavor than typical daiginjo sakes due to the source water used in its creation.
- Nakagaki Sake
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- Hidaya
Confectionery - This established Japanese confectionery started in the Odo area of Toyota City in 1912. It incorporates the bounty of the Okuyahagi region’s mountains as well as a spirit of true sincerity in the creation of its delicious Japanese sweets. Relish the ingenuity in the confectionaries’ creation as well as the flavors of nature, the seasons, and their respective ingredients at Hidaya.
- Hidaya
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- Zofukuji Temple
(Furindera
Temple) - Zofukuji Temple?otherwise known as “Furindera Temple”, meaning the “Wind Chime Temple”?is a Buddhist temple in the small, 300-person town of Odo.
In 2002, the temple became the first in Japan to receive wind chimes as donations after Zofukuji Temple’s chief priest answered the wishes of the younger generation to revitalize the Odo area. Over 7,000 of these wind chimes, known as Odo’s “Yumekake Furin Wind Chimes”, are enshrined within the premises as donations from pilgrims visiting from various regions around Japan.
The soothing ring of the chimes create a truly mysical ambience you’re encouraged to experience for yourself.
- Zofukuji Temple
Inabu area
Inabu Shitara SS
Kuroda Dam
Kuroda Dam and Kurodako Lake are located in the abundant nature of the Inabu area, allowing you to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life for a moment of serenity. Situated in an area known as the “Aichi Highlands Quasi-National Park”, it is home to a variety of plant life and the area around the dam lake is perfect for jogging, black bass fishing, and viewing autumn leaves among other activities.
Nearby spots
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- Inabu Maple Leaves
Festival - The Oidaira Park is a widely known autumn leaves spot of the district of Inabu, eastern Toyota City. About 520 trees of Acer, Maple and Maiden’s Hair (Gingko biloba) all start to get vividly colored a bit earlier than the even more famous Korankei Valley, making for a good option for those in a hurry to see the beautiful autumnal hues of Aichi’s nature.
- Inabu Maple Leaves
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- Sekiya Sake
Brewery -Horaisen
Ginjo Workshop - This is the workshop of Sekiya Sake Brewery, which is engaged in producing fine spirits. Horaisen is a local brew that is quite well-known. Its “Gin,” “Sora,” and “Bi” variants of daiginjo sake are very popular. In addition, they also brew shochu vodka and liqueurs. A dedicated touring passage lets you see the plant in comfort at any time. Book by at least one week in advance of your visit to get a more detailed tour and even take part in a tasting. The best recommendation is the one-day sake brewing workshop. For 10,000 JPY, you can take part in a sake-brewing workshop. There is also a course in which you can taste different kinds and enjoy lunch. You can then take the sake you brewed home with you as a souvenir.
- Sekiya Sake
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- Donguri no Sato Inabu
Roadside Station - Donguri no Sato Inabu Roadside Station is a shopping hub located in the Inabu Area of Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. The onsen hot spring bath house Donguri no Yu, fresh produce and freshly-baked bread, and the Donguri Yokocho Market, offering a rich variety of local delicacies from the surrounding mountains, await visitors. With delicious food no matter the season, be sure to visit the mountain village of Inabu.
- Donguri no Sato Inabu
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- Takadoya Wetland
- The Takadoya Wetland area offers visitors a level walking course equipped with boardwalks and bridges to enjoy Toyota City’s wonderous nature. In the fall, the area boasts a vivid canvas of autumn leaves away from the masses due to its quaint and tucked away location in the mountains of the Inabu region. It also acts as a stage for the songs of nature, such as those of insects and birds, in addition to its various flowers which bloom from season to season. Each year in the beginning of November, it hosts the Takadoya Momiji Matsuri, or the Takadoya Autumn Leaves Festival.
The walking course is about 900 meters around and takes about 20 minutes to complete.
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- Oshikawa Waterfall
- Oshikawa Waterfall is a calming spot where you can enjoy the rushing sound of water falling from a height of 8 meters combined with dynamic scenery.
One of the unique features of this waterfall is the footpaths above and below the waterfall basin, allowing visitors to walk up close and view the waterfall from various angles.
Shimoyama
area
Lake Mikawa
Lake Mikawa
Lake Mikawa was created by the damming of the Tomoegawa River?a major river in the Mikawa area. While beautiful year-round, it is especially astonishing when it shows its autumn hues. The area offers the local Shimoyama area’s famous goheimochi rice cakes on a stick and miso stews as well as walking paths, campsites, and rental boats which let you fully experience the area’s rich nature.
Nearby spots
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- Karen no Yakata
- On a path along the Tomoegawa River flowing from Lake Mikawa lies a picturesque building that specializes in fragrances and even has its own waterwheel. At Karen no Yakata, make seasonal flower wreaths or your own salt potpourri. When you’re done, get some play time across the river, where there’s a big, grassy area, a walking trail, a free dog park, and more.
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- Yamayuri
Handmade
Workshop - Located in the Shimoyama region, an area abundant with nature, is Yamayuri Handmade Workshop. Here you can try making sausages and ham using the best ingredients. There is also a rental barbecue area to grill and eat what you’ve made. Eat your fill of all the tastes of Shimoyama with specialty products such as goheimochi, famous handmade gelato, and hot dogs wrapped in naan flatbread.
- Yamayuri
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- Toyota Mikawa
Highlands
Adventure - Enjoy experiential outdoor activities such as boarding a Hot Air Balloon, SUP (stand up paddleboarding), Air Canoe and others. Find such wildly fun outdoor activities at the Mikawa Kogen highlands around Lake Mikawa, the largest artificial lake in Aichi Prefecture, and take advantage of the accessible Value Set Plans that include food, accommodation and activities. An awesome destination for your Golden Week or autumn holidays.
- Toyota Mikawa
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- Shimoyama no
Sato Goheimochi
and Restaurant - With a giant statue of goheimochi?a rice cake on a stick, covered in a sweet miso sauce?Shimoyama no Sato Goheimochi and Restaurant is hard to miss. Their goheimochi with a bold ginger flavor is simply scrumptious and something you’ll find yourself coming back for. Available for takeout, you can also buy more for later.
This establishment also offers local produce as well as foods and treats the Shimoyama area is known for, making it the perfect destination for souvenirs.
- Shimoyama no
Souvenirs
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- Oiden Ichiba Market
- Find locally grown vegetables and rice, fresh fish shipped directly from the fishermen, and carefully selected meats and ready-made foods. With an eat-in area just outside, you can snack on whatever you buy in no time at all!
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- Japan Agricultural
Cooperatives of Toyota City - “TOYOTABI Stations”, located at various stores around the City of Toyota, offer pamphlets and other information on sightseeing in the city, and at agricultural cooperatives Sanchoku Plaza, Green Center Matsudaira, and Green Center Fujioka, you can find a number of the delicious treats Toyota is known for. Stop on in during your travels in Toyota City for some good eats and souvenirs!
- Japan Agricultural