Attractions

Korankei Valley

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Travel Guide

A beautiful ravine stretching from the Iimori Mountains to the Tomoe River, Korankei Valley is a valley near Nagoya reputed to be one of the best spots for autumn colors in the Tokai or Chubu Region. Join the thousands of visitors who flock to the area each year and bask in the beauty of some 4,000 maple trees as they turn a vibrant red through November.

Shaping the valley is the 254 meter tall Mount Iimori, on which Kojakuji Temple stands. In the 17th century, the head priest of Kojakuji Temple planted some maple trees along the temple approach, prompting many locals to do the same in the area. It is said that 11 different types of maple trees have been planted at Korankei Valley. Today, visitors to Korankei Valley can see the fruits of these past efforts, in the form of excellent autumn scenery that peak around mid to late November each year.

The best colors tend to appear around the paths along Tomoe River at the western and southern sides of Mount Iimori. There are maple trees planted on both sides of the pathways and along the banks of the river. The reddish and orange colours of these maple trees when reflected by the clear water of the Tomoegawa bring the visitors to a beautiful world of colours. As autumn itself is the season of colours all around us, the specially set environment of this area exaggerates this beauty. There are also some golden yellowish coloured Ginko trees in this valley which add up to the spectacular appearance of this majestic scenery. Visitors can enjoy lovely sights of maple tree tunnels and autumn colors in combination with views of the river and the few bridges across it. The vermillion Taigetsukyo Bridge is the symbol of Korankei and a great picture-taking spot.

There are walking trails situated at the mountain top and walking through these trails in between the maple trees all around us provides another great experience. There are areas suitable for picnicking and setting barbeques on the bank of the Tomoe River.

The valley is open all year and beautiful in any season. Between March and April the area is particularly popular as koi carp flags hang across the river in celebration of Children’s Day. In the summer families with children come here to cool down in the clear and fresh water river. While in the winter, fresh fish from the rivers and authentic Japanese soba noodles in the restaurants are the biggest draw for visitors. Outside of peak season, amenities such as food stalls are fewer and the bus service is less frequent.

香岚溪谷 香岚溪谷

 
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Travel Advice

Sightseeing

- When visiting Korankei Valley, be sure to also stop by the town of Asuke, selected as an Important Preservation District for Groups of Historic Buildings by the Japanese government. About a 10 minutes' walk from Korankei, the charming townscape features a 2-kilometer street lined with traditional white clay warehouses and buildings with lattice doors and blackboard walls. Historically, Asuke prospered as a post town on the Chuma-kaido road connecting the regions of Mikawa (a part of Aichi) and Shinshu (present-day Nagano).

- One attraction at the heart of valley that is independent of the autumn colors is the Sanshu Asuke Yashiki Village, which preserves many old houses in a village-like atmosphere. Visitors can participate in one of the many workshops held in the various houses, and try to make some handicrafts such as bamboo baskets, straw sandals, indigo dyed handkerchiefs and washi paper postcards.

- As Korankey Valley is such a popular place during the maple-viewing season, you may have to contend with large crowds, but the views are certainly worth it.

- Stand on the Taigetsukyo Bridge that affords sights of both riverbanks simultaneously.

- During each autumn leaf season, which typically lasts through November, festival yatai food stalls are set up close to Tomoehashi Bridge, where nightly illuminations are held from sunset till 21:00. While the pathways and bridges are all illuminated at night, you could have a good evening stroll to view the autumn leaves. Events such as musical performances are held at the Korankei Hiroba open space.

- Due to it being somewhat difficult to access without a car, comparatively few foreign visitors to Japan make it ot to the Korankei Autumn Leaves Festival. This makes it a uniquely local event and one you can't miss if you really want to soak up the culture.

- Shio-no-michizureya is a restaurant remodeled from an old house, with an ancient atmosphere. The restaurant provides wild boar ham and soba noodle, especially the catfish bowl are very delicious, not lost to eel rice. There are also many specialties such as hand-made dried prunes and fried soba noodles sweets. The business hours are from 11:00 to 16:00. Parking available.

- There is a facility called Hyakunenkusa not far from Koran Valley. There are hotels, restaurants, ham specialty shops, bakery, and large bathhouses. It is a facility that can temporarily rest.

- Ham specialty shops "Asuke Ham ZiZi Kobo" and bakery "Bakery Barbara House" are recommended.

Autumn Leaves

Korankei Valley is a spot to see autumn leaves. Please see Autum Leaves in Korankei Valley.

Events

Events in 2019
Korankei Autumn Leaves Festival You can enjoy the collaboration of maple and river during the day time and illumination in the night, as well as tea ceremony and drum performance. Crafts and food are available at stalls. Nov 1(Wed) to
30(Thu)

 

 
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Visit

Address Iimori, Asuke-cho, Toyota-shi, Aichi
Phone 0565-62-1272(Asuke Tourist Association)
Admission Free  
Hours Free time  
Closed Open 7 Days a Week
Duration 10 minutes
Getting There By Train

70 minutes ride by Meitetsu Bus bound for Asuke from Higashi-Okazaki Station on Nagoya Honsen of Nagoya Railway to the Korankei Valley bus stop, then walk approximately 3 minute.


By Car
Take Tokai-Kanjo Expressway to the Toyota-Kanpachi exit and take National Highway route 153. It is approximately 15 kilometers 20 minutes from exit.
Parking Pay parking available
 
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Attractions in Japan

 
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