Korankei by car: autumn leaves, timed to miss the crowds

2026 dates, peak colour and the light-up

• Festival: the Korankei Momiji (maple) Festival runs from 1 to 30 November 2026
• Peak colour: usually mid to late November. Early November is greener, with the first reds on the higher slopes
• Light-up: every evening in November, from sunset until 9 PM
• Entry: walking around the gorge is free; you pay only for parking
• Weekend extras: on festival weekends, Kojakuji temple is lit with bamboo lanterns and there are candles you can light with a wish

Leaves are a living thing, so the "peak" moves a little each year. If you have a choice of dates, aim for the second half of November and keep a flexible day in your plan.

What to see: a 2–3 hour walk

1. Taigetsu-kyo bridge: the red bridge where the two rivers meet, and the symbol of Korankei. Cross it once, then look back at it from the riverbank
2. The riverside path: the road along the Tomoe River has grown into a tunnel of maples. Walk it slowly — the best colour is often overhead
3. Kojakuji temple: the temple whose monk began it all (more below). The approach climbs a little, so wear comfortable shoes
4. Mount Iimori: the maples run up to the summit. Climb a little way for a view down over the valley
5. Sanshu Asuke Yashiki: a recreated farmhouse village beside the gorge (next section)

The monk who planted a valley

The story of Korankei begins in 1634. Sanei, the eleventh head priest of Kojakuji, is said to have planted maples and cedars along the approach from the river to his temple, reciting a sutra with each one. Local people kept planting in the early 20th century, and the gorge was given the name Korankei in 1930 — "ko" from the temple's name, "ran" for the mist that rises from the valley.

Knowing that makes the walk feel different: nearly four centuries of people adding a tree here and there, until a whole hillside turns red each autumn.

Sanshu Asuke Yashiki: an old country home, still working

Right next to the gorge, Sanshu Asuke Yashiki recreates the house and outbuildings of a well-off farming family from the late 19th to early 20th century. It is not a museum of glass cases: craftspeople work here, making paper umbrellas, dyeing with indigo, weaving and forging iron.

• Admission: adults ¥300, children ¥100
• Hours: 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:30). Usually closed on Thursdays, but open every day in November

It is a good stop for children, and a calm one when the riverbank is busy.

A relaxed Korankei day from Hanaike

1. 6:30 Leave Hanaike after a Nespresso at the house (or stop for a café "morning" — the nearest café opens at 6:30)
2. 7:30 Park, and walk the riverbank and Taigetsu-kyo bridge while it is quiet
3. 9:00 Sanshu Asuke Yashiki opens; then gohei-mochi and a wander through Asuke's old streets
4. 11:30 Drive out before the midday traffic peaks — or carry on to Obara for the autumn cherry blossoms
5. Afternoon Back at the house to rest. A hot spring 7 minutes away is a good way to end a day of walking

Prefer the lanterns? Do it the other way round: a slow morning, an early afternoon start, and the light-up after dark. Just expect more traffic on the way in and allow plenty of time.

Good to know

Is Korankei only worth it in November?

Autumn is the star, but in late March to early April the hillsides bloom with katakuri, a small purple spring wildflower, and the gorge is green and peaceful in summer.

Is it OK with small children or a pushchair?

The riverside paths are fine; the temple approach and hill paths have steps and slopes. A baby carrier is easier than a pushchair at peak times.

Can we go by public transport?

Yes, by train and a bus of about an hour from Josui Station, but with a car from Hanaike you have far more control over timing — which is the whole secret here.