The Korankei Gorge
Quite possibly, the most famous attraction in the Asuke area and one of the most visited places in all of Western Mikawa is the Korankei Gorge especially during “momiji” or autumn colors season in mid to late November. The gorge was carved out the side of the fairly mountainous Toyota countryside by the Tomoe River.

One of the main attractions around the river is the Taigetsu Bridge. It connects travelers from the main entrance to the Kojaku-ji and Korankei Square side of the Tomoe and is always a good subject or vantage point for pictures!

A generally quaint and quiet town 11 months out of the year, the mountain village of Asuke really comes to life in the late fall when droves of travelers from not just Japan, but all over the world come to see the beautiful leaves and sample an assortment of delicious fall food at Korankei. It’s always amazing to see just how loved this place is by visitors from both near and far. If you can get here early—before noon—the traffic and people are much less crowded.

Momiji Matsuri (Autumn Colors Festival)
As mentioned earlier, Korankei is renowned for the spectacular autumn leaves and colors it produces each year. There are quite a few points of interest in this part of Asuke but the main reason people travel here is for the dazzling combination of red, orange, yellow, and green leaves during peak season!

Kojaku-ji Temple
There’s actually quite a lot to see, do, and of course eat as the winding paths guide visitors to the various attractions in the area.

Kojaku-ji is a Buddhist temple established several hundred years ago and remains a holy place for locals and visitors alike. Take the steps up to the entrance and you’ll be walking through a brilliant canopy of maple and other deciduous trees.

It is said that the Korankei as we know and love came to be after a priest of the temple began planting Japanese maple trees around the temple. The practice soon caught on by locals resulting in the colorful gorge tens of thousands of people can enjoy every year!

Experiencing the Past
Another point of interest that doesn’t have to necessarily be enjoyed during the fall is the Sanshu Asuke Yashiki Village located right next to the square. For only ¥300, you can experience a slice of life in rural Japan.

This preserved village opens up with a small stable in the center with traditional farm animals. The western side of the village gives visitors an opportunity to purchase and even create their own souvenirs.

If you’re not quite in the mood for making your own knife or picking out your new hand crafted bowl, you can watch the masters of their craft at work!

There’s also plenty for the children as well. Many of the thatched huts offer more kid-friendly activities including an assortment of wooden toys, old and bamboo stilts for all ages to enjoy.

Smaller and less labor-intensive crafts are also available for children and parents to connect with too. Every part of the exhibit in this “town within a town” is entirely interactive and incredibly educational. Everyone I’ve met was as friendly and adept at teaching and explaining their craft as they were making their creations.

Illumination Transformation
After a full day of food, fun, and fall colors, you might want to stick around for Korankei’s renown illumination event that runs throughout the entire “momiji” season. Once the sun sets, the entire valley is lit up with warm lights that further emphasize the extravagant colors of the maple and is completely transformed into an entirely different spectacle of orange, red, and gold.

The view from the opposite side of the river is breathtaking—as the backdrop of the almost pitch-black mountainside provides the perfect canvas for the bright autumn colors to radiate outward and spill over to the river creating some dramatic photographic opportunities!

So if the food and festivities aren’t enough to bring you here, I hope the magical scene of Korankei’s illumination is!