Korankei Momiji Festival - Premier Autumn Foliage Destination in the Tokai Region

Korankei, a picturesque gorge stretching along the Tomoe River in the Asuke district of Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, is renowned as one of the Tokai region's premier autumn foliage destinations. Its history dates back to around 1634 in the early Edo period, when the monk Sanei Honshū of Kōjaku-ji Temple hand-planted maple and cedar trees along the valley. From the late Taishō era through the early Shōwa period, local residents conducted large-scale tree planting efforts, and today approximately 3,000 to 4,000 maple trees paint the slopes of Mount Iimori and both banks of the Tomoe River in vibrant autumn hues. The annual Korankei Momiji Festival, held every November, features evening illuminations from dusk that create a magical atmosphere, highlighting the iconic red Taigetsukyo Bridge and the reflections of autumn leaves shimmering on the river's surface. During the festival period, visitors can enjoy traditional events such as the bamboo-lantern-lit approach to Kōjaku-ji Temple, wish-making candle displays, and monkey show performances. Nearby, the Sanshu Asuke Yashiki offers hands-on experiences in traditional crafts like papermaking and weaving, and together with the preserved townscape of the former post-town, Korankei provides a special place where visitors can immerse themselves in the full sensory experience of Japanese autumn.