Korankei Gorge

Autumn maples along a Tomoe River gorge

Korankei Gorge is along the Tomoe River in the Asuke area of Toyota City, roughly two hours east of Nagoya by train and bus. It's known for around 3,000 Japanese maples that turn red and gold in autumn, usually peaking in mid to late November, when the Maple Festival takes place. Visitors can cross the Taigetsukyo Bridge, climb steps to Kojaku-ji Temple through the maple canopy and see a hillside lit in the evening. The area is free to enter and open around the clock. It suits half a day in autumn, though weekends are busy and mornings are calmer.

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Gorge in Japan

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Safety: 7.9

General Safety:	9
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	9

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2/5

English is spoken at major tourist spots and some shops, but less so elsewhere. Most festival signage is bilingual. A translation app or phrasebook is handy for deeper exploration or rural restaurants.

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Last update: 21 Oct 2026

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Korankei Gorge Summary

Great for autumn foliage and riverside walks. Stroll scenic forest trails, photograph vibrant autumn colours, cross charming bridges and enjoy seasonal festivals and local food stalls.

Public website:	asuke.info

Japan – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	100 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type A Type A: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Japanese Yen (JPY) £1 ≈ JP¥210
Cashless info:	Rating 4/5 Cashless payments are becoming more common, especially in cities, with some shops still preferring cash. Be prepared for occasional cash-only situations in rural areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is not customary in Japan and can be considered rude. Excellent service is the norm, and tipping is unnecessary in most places.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is legal and commonly accepted, particularly during festivals and events.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in indoor public places but allowed in designated outdoor areas. Some restaurants may have smoking sections.

New Year (January)	One of the most important holidays, expect crowded temples and high prices. Plan ahead.
Golden Week (April-May)	The busiest travel time, expect high demand for accommodation and transport.
Obon (August)	A time to honour ancestors, many businesses close, and transport can be crowded.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 110 (Police), 119 (Fire & Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, JapanTaxi, DiDi
Other:	Japan is a country of respect, so understanding local customs and etiquette is important. Public transport is efficient, but can be crowded during peak hours.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Korankei Gorge, Japan

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Mar

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Apr

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May

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Jun

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Jul

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Aug

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Sep

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Oct

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Nov

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Dec

High season:	Nov.
Shoulder season:	April - May, Oct., Dec.
Crowdedness:	6 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Autumn leaves peak from mid November to early December, with evening illuminations during the Korankei Autumn Festival

Autumn weekends: heavy traffic, park-and-ride shuttle buses from Toyota, arrive early to avoid long queues

Outside autumn, the gorge is quiet and most shops, cafés and food stalls are closed or have short hours

Don't miss

🍁 Walk the maple tree tunnels and vibrant autumn trails
🌉 Photograph the iconic Taigetsukyo Bridge over Tomoe River
🎉 Attend the lively Korankei Maple Festival in November
⛰️ Climb Mount Iimori for panoramic gorge views
🌟 Experience magical illuminated foliage after sunset

You've been here?

Korankei is a wooded valley in Aichi Prefecture and a well-known place to see autumn leaves. Around 3,000 Japanese maples line the Tomoe River and its paths. Their colours peak in the second half of November during the Maple Festival. At the centre of the view is the Taigetsukyo Bridge, a footbridge that links the main entrance with the Kojaku-ji and Korankei Square side. It's a classic spot for photos.

Paths are on both sides of the river and the bridges let you cross between them, so a visit works as a slow walk rather than a trip to one viewpoint. Kojaku-ji Temple is reached by steps through a canopy of maples. Next to Korankei Square, the Sanshu Asuke Yashiki village has farm animals and craft demonstrations and charges a separate admission fee. During the festival the slope of Mount Iimori is lit from sunset until 21:00. The view from across the river is a good spot for evening shots.

Outside autumn the gorge is calm. Spring has fresh green leaves and in March dogtooth violets bloom around Asuke. Entry to the gorge is free and the area is open around the clock, though the lighting runs only during the festival. Plan on one or two hours for the main paths and the temple, with extra time for the museum.

Crowds are the main drawback. Peak weekends have heavy traffic on routes to the gorge and packed bridges and paths. Arriving near sunset on a weekend lets you see the lights as the daytime crowd thins. The best colour moves from year to year, so check a leaf forecast before you pick a date.

Knowledge before you go

Arrive before noon to avoid the biggest crowds and traffic.
The hillside lighting runs from sunset to 21:00 each evening, only during the November festival.
The Sanshu Asuke Yashiki living museum next to the square charges a separate admission fee.
In March dogtooth violets bloom near the gorge, when far fewer visitors come than in November.

How to travel to Korankei Gorge

Trains and a local bus are the usual way to reach Korankei from Nagoya, in roughly two hours. Take a Meitetsu train to Toyotashi Station on the Toyota Line, then a Meitetsu bus bound for Asuke to the Korankei bus stop. The bus ride takes about 40 minutes. Another route starts at Higashi-Okazaki Station on the Meitetsu Nagoya Line, where a bus to Asuke also stops at Korankei. It takes longer, around an hour or more. Extra services may run during the Maple Festival, so check with the tourist association before you go. The nearest major airport is Chubu Centrair (NGO), which connects to Nagoya by train in about 30 minutes. Nagoya is the main hub for Shinkansen and long-distance trains. By car, Korankei is about 15 minutes from Chikaraishi Interchange on the Sanage Green Road or about 20 minutes from Toyota-Kanpachi Interchange. Parking is paid and fills early on peak weekends. Roads into the valley back up as well so the bus is easier in November.

Access summary

From Chubu Centrair Airport (NGO): Train to Nagoya/Toyota, then bus, about 2–3 hours.
From Nagoya city: Underground/train plus Toyota Oiden/Meitetsu bus, typically 1.5–2 hours.
From Toyota city: Direct Toyota Oiden bus from Toyotashi Station, around 1 hour.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay near Korankei Gorge

Most visitors stay in Nagoya or in Toyota City rather than at the gorge itself. Nagoya has the widest choice of hotels and puts Korankei about two hours away by train and bus. Toyota City has business hotels near its stations, which shortens the trip and suits an early start. A small number of inns and ryokan are in the Asuke area close to the gorge. They put you in the valley for the evening lighting and for quiet early mornings before day visitors arrive. Rooms are few so book well ahead for November weekends. If everything nearby is full during the festival, Nagoya works as a base for a day trip. Check the last bus back before you stay for the lighting.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

We couldn't find any nearby hotels for now.

Food around Korankei Gorge

Food at Korankei is simple and aimed at day visitors. During the Maple Festival, food stalls around the riverside and square sell snacks to eat while you walk. Goheimochi, a skewered rice cake brushed with miso sauce, is a typical snack in the hills of Aichi.

Small restaurants and cafes in the Asuke area serve lunch and light meals. Outside the festival, choices are limited and some places close early or on weekdays, so check hours before you plan a meal. Bring water and snacks if you plan to walk for a while.

Vegetarians may struggle at stalls and small restaurants, where dashi and meat are common.

Packing recommendations for Korankei Gorge

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Camera

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Comfortable walking shoes

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Reusable water bottle

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Cash in small denominations

some shops are cash-only

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Non-slip shoes

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Guidebook with offline map

Universal travel adaptor

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Credit card with no foreign transaction fees

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

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-44 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 44% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend a lot less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

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-20 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to JPY) is 20% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is considerably cheaper compared to the past.

Safety information overview

General safety

Korankei is very safe, with little crime. The main concerns are crowds and traffic on peak autumn weekends, when paths and bridges get packed. Steps and riverside paths turn slippery after rain and beyond the lit areas the valley is dark at night.

Health & Medical

Basic medical care is available in Asuke, but major hospitals are in Toyota City. Bring any personal medication. Allergies may flare in spring or autumn. Emergency services are reliable but response times may be longer in rural areas.

Accessibility

Accessibility is mixed. Riverside paths near the main bridge and square are largely level but steps lead up to Kojaku-ji Temple and hillside viewpoints are steeper. Crowds in peak season slow wheelchairs and pushchairs, so early mornings are easier.

Tap water

Tap water is safe and widely available in town and at main facilities. Public fountains are rare on trails, so bring your own bottle, especially during busy or hot periods.