Korankei Maple Festival

Korankei Gorge holds roughly 4,000 maple trees across 11 varieties, planted along the Tomoe River in 1634 by a local temple priest. Every November the foliage turns the whole valley red and gold, and the festival that runs through the month adds nightly illuminations that make the trees glow after dark. The iconic red Taigetsukyo bridge reflects in the river below. Taiko drum performances, a craft market at the Sanshu Asuke Yashiki open-air museum, and bamboo lantern displays at Kojakuji Temple round out the program. It draws big crowds on weekends, so arriving on a weekday morning gives you the best light and fewer people.