Korankei Autumn Leaves from Nagoya: Festival Dates, Light-Up, Buses and Parking

Last checked: October 26, 2026, against the Aichi Prefecture tourism site (Aichi Now), the Asuke Tourism Association’s access and Korankei pages, and the Sanshu Asuke Public Corporation site. Dates, bus timetables and traffic rules change, so please confirm on the Asuke Tourism Association site before you go. This site is independent and is not affiliated with Toyota City or any organizer. This post may contain affiliate links; if you book through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Korankei is a gorge in Asuke, in the hills of Toyota City, east of Nagoya. It is one of the best-known autumn leaf spots in Aichi, with thousands of maple trees along the Tomoe River. The 71st Korankei Momiji Festival runs all through November 2026. This guide covers the dates, the evening light-up, how to get there from Nagoya without a car, and the traffic problems that surprise many visitors.

Key takeaways

The 71st Korankei Momiji Festival runs from November 1 to 30, 2026. Walking in the gorge is free.
The usual peak for the leaves is mid to late November. The official pages give no forecast for 2026.
The light-up runs every day from sunset to 21:00, and the organizers say the period and hours will not be extended.
By public transportation, take a train to Toyota-shi Station, then the Meitetsu Bus Yanami Line. The bus ride is about 50 minutes.
On weekends and holidays in November, traffic jams can push the trip past 2 hours, so a weekday visit is recommended.

At a glance

Festival. The 71st Korankei Momiji Festival, November 1 to 30, 2026.
Light-up. Every day from sunset to 21:00. The organizers say the period and hours will not be extended.
Entry. Free to walk around. Parking and the Sanshu Asuke Yashiki museum cost money.
Usual peak. Mid to late November. The official pages give no forecast.
Parking. 500 yen per car normally, and 1,000 yen per car in November, and the space counts differ by source.
From Toyota-shi Station. The Meitetsu Bus Yanami Line takes about 50 minutes.
From Higashi-Okazaki Station. The Meitetsu Bus Okazaki-Asuke Line takes about 70 minutes.

All of the above comes from the official pages on the date above, except where marked.

When to go

The festival period is the whole month of November 2026, and the Aichi Now page says the usual peak for the leaves is mid to late November. The official pages do not give a 2026 forecast, so the best time is not certain. Check the official site shortly before you travel.

The light-up

The Asuke Tourism Association says the light-up is held every day in November, and Aichi Now gives the hours as sunset to 21:00. It adds that the period and the hours will not be extended. Some events during the festival, such as the Bamboo Lights at Kosekiji temple and the wish candles, are canceled in the rain. Most events are held on Saturdays and Sundays.

Getting there from Nagoya without a car

There is no direct train. You take a train to a station on the Meitetsu lines, then a local bus.

Route 1: Toyota-shi Station, then the Meitetsu Bus Yanami Line

1. To Toyota-shi Station. From Nagoya Station, take the subway Higashiyama Line to Fushimi and change to the Tsurumai Line. Tsurumai Line trains for Toyota-shi run through onto the Meitetsu Toyota Line without another change. One route search for June 2026 showed about 57 minutes and 830 yen with one change. That is from a transit search site, which is a secondary source, so check your own date. 2. Meitetsu Bus Yanami Line from Toyota-shi Station toward Asuke. Get off at the Korankei stop. The Asuke Tourism Association gives about 50 minutes.

Route 2: Higashi-Okazaki Station, then the Meitetsu Bus Okazaki-Asuke Line

From Higashi-Okazaki Station on the Meitetsu Main Line, take the Okazaki-Asuke Line toward Asuke, and get off at Korankei. This takes about 70 minutes. There is no bus back toward Higashi-Okazaki Station after 19:00 on weekdays.

Route 3: Josui Station and the Toyota Oiden Bus

The Aichi Now spot page lists the Toyota Oiden Bus Sanage-Asuke Line from Josui Station on the Meitetsu Toyota Line, with a stop at Korankei. In November the service changes:

From November 14 on weekends and holidays, buses from Josui stop at Asukeohashi, and the walk to Korankei is about 10 minutes.
From November 21 to 23 (the three-day weekend), Josui buses stop at Nishinakagane and do not go on to Korankei or Asuke. This applies to buses that leave from the 11:00 hour through the 18:00 hour.

Timetables and fares

The Meitetsu Bus timetable is one schedule for November 1 to 13 and another for November 14 to 30. I could not find the 2026 bus fare on an official page, so please check the fare and the timetable with Meitetsu Bus before you go. The direct bus from Yakusa Station that ran in earlier years is not operating in 2026, according to the access page.

Traffic

The official access page warns that on weekends and holidays in November, traffic jams can make the trip take more than 2 hours, and recommends coming on a weekday. Buses may be caught in the same jams, so allow extra time on weekends.

By car

From the expressways, the official access page gives these times and distances:

Toyota-Matsudaira IC: 14 km, about 20 minutes on Prefectural Route 39.
Toyota-Kanpachi IC: 13 km, about 20 minutes on Route 153.
Kuragaike IC: 11 km, about 15 minutes on Prefectural Route 343.
Chikaraishi IC on the Sanage Green Road: 9 km, about 15 minutes on Route 153.

Since April 2025, only vehicles with ETC (electronic toll collection) can use the Tokai Ring Expressway. Vehicles without ETC should use the Toyota IC on the Tomei Expressway.

Parking

Aichi Now lists 670 spaces. The fee is 500 yen per car, or 1,000 yen per car in November. The Sanshu Asuke Public Corporation lists the lots and their sizes: Miyamachi (200 spaces), the Asuke Branch Office (120), Kawami (100) and Iwagaminoyu-ato (400). Those four lots alone add up to more than 670, so the two sources do not match, and the total depends on which lots you count. The Public Corporation also lists temporary lots at the Asuke elementary, junior high and high schools and at the Asuke ground. The temporary lots at the schools and the ground open only on these days: November 14, 15, 21, 22, 23, 28 and 29. Asuke High School also opens on November 27. I did not find the opening hours of each lot on an official page.

During the festival, sightseeing buses, including microbuses, are asked to follow route restrictions on November 14 to 30. The restrictions apply from 9:00 to 17:00. For details, call the Sanshu Asuke Public Corporation at 0565-61-2300.

What to see

The maple trees. The Asuke Tourism Association says about 3,000 maples turn red, and lists 11 kinds of maple. Aichi Now says about 4,000 trees. The sources give different numbers, so treat both as rough figures. Tradition says the first maples were planted in 1634 by Sanei, the 11th head priest of Kosekiji temple.
The Tomoe River. The approach path to Kosekiji temple runs along the river.
The suspension bridge. A suspension bridge appears in the official autumn photos.
Mount Iimori. The mountain has wildflowers in April, and maple trees are planted there too.
Sanshu Asuke Yashiki. This is a museum of old Asuke life, with crafts and demonstrations. Tickets cost 300 yen for adults and 100 yen for students from elementary school through high school. The museum is open from 9:00 to 17:00. Last entry is at 16:30. It is usually closed on Thursdays, but the official page says it is open every day in November.
Asuke Village barbecue facility. The official page says it is open until November 3 this season.
Trash. During the festival, trash cans are only at Korankei Plaza and the parking lots. Please take the rest of your trash with you.

A plan for a weekday visit

1. Leave Nagoya in the morning by subway and Meitetsu to Toyota-shi Station. 2. Take the Meitetsu Bus to the Korankei stop (about 50 minutes) and walk along the river. 3. Visit Sanshu Asuke Yashiki if you want to see the craft displays. 4. Stay until sunset if you want to see the light-up. Check the time of the last bus back before you go, because there are fewer buses in the evening.

Guided day tours from Nagoya

If the weekend traffic worries you, these three Klook day tours leave from Nagoya by bus. The prices below are the starting prices in Klook search results on October 26, 2026, and they change by date. On that date the first bookable day for the first two tours was November 10, so check availability for the days you want.

Klook · Affiliate linkEihoji Temple, Shikizakura and Korankei Autumn Foliage Day TourThe tour takes about 9.3 hours and leaves Nagoya at 9:10, for a large group of up to 45. Guides speak English, Chinese and Japanese. The Klook page lists admission to Eihoji Temple, the Senmi Shikizakura no Sato cherry blossoms and Korankei as included. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. From US$68.75.Check on Klook

Klook · Affiliate linkNagoya Korankei Gorge and Eihouji Temple Autumn Leaves Full-Day TourAbout 10.5 hours from Nagoya, with a private group of 1 to 9 or a large group of up to 45. Guides speak English, Chinese and Japanese. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. The listing is new and shows no reviews yet. From US$64.15.Check on Klook

Klook · Affiliate linkKorankei, Ryujin Waterfall and Magome-juku Day TourThe tour takes about 10.2 hours and leaves Nagoya at 7:50. Guides speak English, Chinese and Japanese. The tour runs only if at least 6 people join. Free cancellation up to 48 hours before. From US$62.69.Check on Klook

Viator · Affiliate linkNagoya Shikizakura and Korankei Gorge Day TripA day trip with round-trip transport and a tour escort, according to the listing. You choose between Eiho-ji Temple, or fruit picking at Gamagori Orange Park with an Omi beef sukiyaki lunch, then visit Obara Shiki-zakura and Korankei Gorge. Lunch is included only with the orange park option.Check on Viator

GetYourGuide · Affiliate linkFrom Nagoya: Shiki-zakura and Korankei Autumn Day TripA day trip with round-trip transfers and a multilingual tour escort. The listing offers the same two course options, then Obara Shiki-zakura and Korankei Gorge. The meeting point is in front of the Ministop in Meieki-Tsubakicho. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before.Check on GetYourGuide

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Frequently asked questions

When is the Korankei festival in 2026? The 71st festival runs from November 1 to 30, 2026.

When is the best time to see the leaves? The usual peak is mid to late November. The official pages give no 2026 forecast.

Is there an entrance fee? No. Walking in Korankei is free. Parking costs 1,000 yen per car in November, and Sanshu Asuke Yashiki has its own fee.

What time does the light-up end? At 21:00, every day, starting from sunset. The organizers say the hours will not be extended.

How long does it take from Nagoya? About 1 hour to Toyota-shi Station by train (one route search showed 57 minutes), then about 50 minutes by bus, without traffic jams. On weekends and holidays in November, it can take more than 2 hours.

Can I go without a car? Yes, by train and bus. Check the bus timetable for your date.