【Asuke (Korankei)】 A Town of History, Tradition, and Nostalgia

See Important Cultural Properties Up Close and Touch History

The historic townscape of Asuke, known as Toyota City’s Asuke Traditional Buildings Preservation District, is filled with imposing machiya houses from the Edo period. The street along the highway features a mix of hirairi and tsumaire houses, while the riverbank is lined with traditional houses, creating a nostalgic and varied landscape. This area, which thrived from the early modern period to the modern era, preserves the image of a mountain town that grew prosperous through the distribution of goods.

One must-visit historical heritage site is the National Important Cultural Property, the Former Suzuki House. This grand merchant house, once a paper wholesaler in the early modern period and a land management hub in the modern era, is a prime example of Asuke’s wealthy merchants. The main building, constructed in 1776 after the great fire of An’ei, expanded over time with additional rooms and storehouses, reaching its current form by the Meiji period. The Suzuki House features the largest plot in Asuke and has a Buddhist room, the oldest structure in the area, showcasing the development of large-scale merchant houses in Asuke.

Donated to Toyota City and restored as an important cultural property, the Suzuki House underwent preservation and repair work starting in fiscal 2014. Partial public viewing began on August 4, 2023, allowing visitors to see the main building up close. Experience the historical space created by old materials, imagine the business and life of the Edo and Meiji periods, and discover the craftsmanship in the repair work.

Traditional Handcrafts at Sanshu Asuke Yashiki

Asuke Town offers various hands-on experience facilities, among which “Sanshu Asuke Yashiki” stands out. Opened in 1980, this facility recreates a former wealthy farmer’s estate with thatched wooden structures, including a nagayamon gate, main house, and bamboo house, earning the nickname “Living Folk Museum.”

Upholding the spirit of self-sufficiency, Sanshu Asuke Yashiki emphasizes the importance of creating necessities by hand. Here, visitors can witness 10 types of traditional handcrafts, such as charcoal making, woodworking, papermaking, and weaving, reflecting the resilient mountain lifestyle of the past. The facility also values traditional food production, making miso, kancha (winter tea), umeboshi (pickled plums), and yuzu sweets, which are sold at the on-site shop, “Oideya.”

Visitors can participate in a variety of hands-on experiences, including weaving, indigo dyeing, bamboo and straw crafts, spinning tops painting, firewood splitting, and making gohei mochi (rice cakes). The on-site restaurant, “Hinokicha,” offers homemade gohei mochi, grilled ayu fish, mountain vegetable soba, and seasonal set meals. The café “Kaneiko” serves fragrant coffee roasted with charcoal made on-site, as well as 100% pure apple juice, health-conscious ume honey juice, and yuzu drinks.

Don’t Miss Asuke’s Two Major Events: Chuma no Ohinasan and Tankororin

Asuke hosts various events throughout the year, from traditional festivals and Japan-specific activities like ayu fishing to the “Korankei Momiji Festival,” celebrating autumn leaves. The town’s two major events are “Chuma no Ohinasan” and “Tankororin.”

“Chuma no Ohinasan” is held from mid-February to mid-March. This event showcases hina dolls and earthen dolls displayed in homes and shops along the historic streets of Asuke, creating a festive atmosphere for visitors. Starting at the Asuke Tourism Association, Honmachi Ward Community Center (Tsuchibina Venue), and Asuke Chuma Museum, this event invites people to explore the town’s streets using the “Ohinasan Map,” available at public parking lots and participating shops. Activities include “Gando,” where children visit homes asking to see hina dolls and receive treats, and the “New Town Gando,” where children exchange vouchers for sweets at “Suzuman Honpo.” Other highlights include a “Clay Doll Painting Experience” with live demonstrations by local artisans, a “Chuma no Ohinasan Stamp Rally” with prizes, and weekend performances.

The second major event, “Tankororin,” takes place from early August to the 15th after sunset. Traditional bamboo and paper lanterns, known as “Tankororin,” line the old streets, casting a warm glow. An early preview, “Candle Night,” is held around the summer solstice in June.

Tankororin, named after the gourd-shaped oil lamps called “hyosoku,” are handmade by local residents from bamboo split into strips and covered with washi paper made at Sanshu Asuke Yashiki. The soft, flickering light from these simple lanterns evokes nostalgia and comfort. Since its start in 2002, this small event has grown with community support to over 600 lanterns, becoming a beloved summer tradition in Asuke.

Autumn Spectacle: Korankei’s Fall Foliage

Korankei Gorge, carved by the Yahagi River’s tributary Tomoe River, is renowned for its fall foliage. The tradition began with the 11th head priest of Kojaku-ji Temple, who planted maple and cedar trees along the temple paths and precincts in 1634, reciting the Heart Sutra with each tree planted to enhance the natural beauty. In spring, the fresh green leaves emerge, providing shade in summer, and in autumn, Korankei is known for its spectacular fall colors. Home to 11 varieties of maples, including Iroha, Yamamomiji, Urageenkokaede, Oomomiji, and Kohauchiwakaede, the area boasts about 4,000 maple trees, transforming into a vivid array of yellow and red in November.

The peak viewing season is typically mid to late November, with popular spots including “Kojaku-ji Temple,” “Taigetsu Bridge,” “Suspension Bridge,” and “Momiji Tunnel.”

Mount Iimori, a small mountain in Korankei standing at 254 meters, offers three hiking routes, with the trail from Kojaku-ji taking about 20 minutes to the summit. The paths are less crowded, making it ideal for those who want to enjoy the foliage in a serene setting.

“Taigetsu Bridge,” a red bridge spanning the Tomoe River, is Korankei’s symbol. From the bridge, visitors can enjoy views of Mount Iimori’s autumn colors, with the red bridge complementing the vibrant foliage—a perfect photo opportunity.

The “Suspension Bridge,” a 30-meter red bridge upstream on the Tomoe River, offers views of the surrounding fall scenery and traditional Japanese landscape. Nearby, the “Kawami Tea House,” a BBQ and bungalow facility “Asuke Village” provide rest and recreation spots.

“Momiji Tunnel,” named for the tall maple trees forming a canopy over the path from Nishimachi Parking Lot to Kojaku-ji Temple, is another popular photo spot, especially in the afternoon when lit by the setting sun.

An annual evening illumination of the foliage from sunset to 9 PM throughout November offers a magical and different perspective from the daytime scenery.