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Nationwide (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Koshinetsu, Kansai, Tokai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa)
Resort Glamping.com
Nationwide (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Koshinetsu, Kansai, Tokai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa)
July 15, 2026
One of the must-see autumn sights near Nagoya is Korankei Gorge at night. Mount Iimori is illuminated in golden hues, and the vermilion Taigetsukyo Bridge and autumn leaves are reflected in the waters of the Tomoe River. The fantastical scenery of red, orange, and yellow maple leaves shining in layers against the darkness of the night is the reason why so many tourists visit the Korankei Maple Festival's nighttime illumination every year. This article provides a comprehensive overview of Korankei's autumn foliage information for 2026. We will explain in detail the dates of the Maple Festival and nighttime illumination, the best photo spots for Taigetsukyo Bridge, the best time to see the leaves, access from Nagoya and parking information, and even luxurious accommodations where you can fully enjoy the autumn leaves.
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The greatest attraction of Korankei Gorge is that you can enjoy completely different views of the autumn foliage during the day and at night. In particular, the nighttime illumination is famous throughout Japan.
Event Period: During the Korankei Maple Festival (usually throughout November)
Lighting time: Sunset ~ 21:00
Illuminated area: Around Mt. Iimori and Taigetsu Bridge. The entire mountain is illuminated in golden light, making the bridge and the surface of the Tomoe River particularly magical.
Important Note: After the light-up event ends, the hiking trail leading to the summit of Mt. Iimori will be closed at night. Wild animals inhabit the mountain, so please refrain from hiking alone at night.
In addition to the illuminations, the area is bustling with activity during the daytime of the Maple Festival. Korankei Square hosts Japanese drum performances, monkey shows, local product exhibitions, and food stalls, making it popular with families. Please note that event details and dates may change annually, so please check the official announcements for the latest information.
If you want to take beautiful, postcard-worthy photos of autumn foliage, keep the following points in mind.
In the brief period just before complete darkness, a blue tint remains in the sky, creating a beautiful contrast between the blue and golden hues of the illuminated autumn leaves.
If you go down to the riverbank of the Tomoe River and take a photo looking up at the Taigetsu Bridge with the autumn leaves reflected on the water's surface, you'll get a picture with a sense of depth.
On the Iimoriyama side of the Taigetsubashi Bridge, you'll find the "Five-Colored Maple," which offers a beautiful gradient of five colors including red, orange, and yellow. The combination of the maple and the vermilion bridge makes for a popular photographic composition.
Long exposures are necessary for night photography. Since it gets crowded, it's recommended to arrive early to secure a shooting spot.
The valley gets quite cold at night in November. Be sure to dress warmly.
The autumn foliage at Korankei Gorge is typically at its best from mid- to late November. The colors are especially vibrant in late November.
The period during which you can enjoy the most beautiful scenery in one location is usually about one to two weeks. However, strong winds or heavy rain can shorten the viewing period.
The history of autumn foliage in Korankei dates back about 400 years. The head priest of Koshakuji Temple began planting maple trees, and since then, local people have continued planting trees, resulting in approximately 4,000 maple trees of 11 different varieties growing there today.
Because different varieties of cherry blossoms ripen at different times, a beautiful gradient of red, orange, and yellow can be enjoyed simultaneously within a single valley.
The "maple tunnel" along the approach to Koshakuji Temple is a particularly popular photo spot. In the afternoon, when the setting sun shines through the leaves, the light becomes translucent, creating a fantastical scene.
Before you depart, check the latest autumn foliage forecasts on Japanese websites and also check the latest information on the Asuke Tourism Association's official website.
Asuke Tourism Association:https://asuke.info/
| Departure Station | To Korankei | Acitivity Time |
|---|---|---|
| Meitetsu "Toyota City Station" | Meitetsu Bus (bound for Asuke) → Get off at Korankei | Approx.45 minutes |
| Meitetsu "Higashi-Okazaki Station" | Take the bus bound for Asuke → Get off at Korankei | Approx.70 minutes |
| Meitetsu "Jōsui Station" | Oiden Bus (bound for Hyakunen-so) → Get off at Korankei | Approx.60 minutes |
It's about a one-hour drive from Nagoya city center.
It takes about 15 minutes from the Rikiishi Interchange on the Sanage Green Road and about 20 minutes from the Toyota Kanpachi Interchange on the Tokai Loop Expressway.
There is a permanent parking lot with space for approximately 570 cars, and during the Momiji Festival, temporary parking lots and parking lots requiring advance reservations will also be opened.
Weekends during the autumn foliage season are extremely crowded, and roads and parking lots around Korankei Gorge experience long traffic jams. It is recommended to use nearby alternative parking lots or to leave early in the morning.
You can visit all the main spots even on a day trip.
Taigetsubashi Bridge → Tomoe River Promenade → Koshakuji Temple (Maple Tunnel) → Iimoriyama Mountain Climbing Trail (Approx. 20 minutes to the summit) → Asuke Townscape
While in Asuke, be sure to enjoy the local cuisine.
Popular items include goheimochi (rice cakes) grilled over charcoal with miso sauce, salt-grilled ayu (sweetfish), Korankei's famous maple leaf tempura, momiji manju (maple leaf-shaped steamed buns), and warabi mochi (bracken starch mochi).
The old townscape of Asuke is a preserved area that retains the atmosphere of the Edo period, where the autumn leaves and wooden buildings harmonize beautifully, making every corner a picturesque scene.
However, day trips have a major drawback.
It's difficult to enjoy both the fantastical early morning scenery shrouded in mist and the most beautiful nighttime illuminations.
In the morning, I have to travel, and at night, after seeing the illuminations, I have to worry about catching the last train or getting caught in traffic to get back to Nagoya.
Located in Shitara Town, Okumikawa, Aichi Prefecture, "SHITARA VILLAGE" is a luxury resort where you can fully enjoy the nature and autumn foliage near Nagoya.
In addition to a barrel sauna made from domestically produced cypress wood, there are plenty of outdoor experiences to enjoy under the clear autumn sky, such as making roasted sweet potatoes and smoked foods.
In September, you can also enjoy stream fishing for rainbow trout and other fish in a managed artificial river.
Furthermore, you can enjoy complimentary drinks such as draft beer, craft beer, highballs, wine, and sake in the free lounge in the administration building.
A. It is usually from mid to late November. However, the progress of the autumn leaves varies each year, so please check the autumn foliage forecast and the latest information from the Asuke Tourism Association before you go.
A. During the Momiji Festival, it is open daily from sunset until 21:00 PM. Please check the official announcement for detailed dates for 2026.
A. It is held annually throughout November.
The reason Korankei is chosen as "one of Japan's top spots for autumn foliage" every year is not just because of its approximately 4,000 maple trees.
The appeal lies in being able to enjoy two different aspects: the vibrant autumn foliage that colors the valley during the day, and the fantastical nighttime foliage illuminated by lights at night.
If you avoid the weekend and stay overnight in the surrounding area, you can fully enjoy both the fantastical night view illuminating the Taigetsukyo Bridge and the tranquil, breathtaking scenery of the sunrise enveloping the valley.
How about planning a luxurious autumn foliage trip to Korankei this fall?
He is an editor at Resort Glamping.com, a glamping-focused media outlet visited by approximately 100 million people a month. He has written over 150 articles introducing glamping facilities and experience reports, and is involved in a wide range of glamping facility services, from planning and development to operation and customer acquisition consulting.
