An Okumikawa mountain drive: from Korankei to the Chausuyama Highlands

An Okumikawa mountain drive shows a quieter side of Aichi: deep green valleys, cooler air and wide highland views, all without leaving the prefecture. It is a day of gradual change, and that is much of its appeal.

This guide follows one such day. It begins at Korankei, a riverside gorge in Asuke, Toyota City, and ends on the Chausuyama Highlands, which spread out around the highest peak in Aichi. Along the way, the scenery shifts from shaded water to open sky.

Why an Okumikawa mountain drive is worth the day

Few single trips give you two such different landscapes. In the gorge, trees close in overhead and the sound of the river is never far away. Up on the highlands, the view opens out and distant ridges come into sight.

The seasons matter just as much. Fresh leaves in spring, deep shade in summer, maples in autumn, snow in winter. The same places can feel entirely different depending on when you go. Below, we look at each stop through the year.

Starting at Korankei: green along the Tomoe River

Korankei follows the Tomoe River in Asuke. It is a good place to stretch your legs and walk by the water before the day’s driving begins.

Korankei through the seasons

Korankei is known as a place coloured by every season. According to the Asuke Tourism Association, spring brings new buds that turn into a dazzling fresh green, and by summer the trees cast welcome shade.

In early summer, as the green deepens, the riverside is said to fill with people cooling off under the trees and playing in the water. Winter has its own quiet charm when the snow arrives.

Spring wildflowers and autumn maples

Korankei is also known for its wildflowers. The Asuke Tourism Association notes that katakuri, a small dogtooth violet, is at its best from around mid-March to early April, covering the ground like a pale purple carpet. As the katakuri fade, around mid-April, the slopes of Mt Iimori bring out other woodland flowers, including anemones and fringed irises.

The maples have a long history. They are said to date back to 1634, when Sanei, the eleventh head priest of Kojakuji Temple, planted maples and cedars along the riverside approach to the temple grounds.

Each November brings the Korankei Momiji Matsuri, the maple festival, and Aichi Now, the prefecture’s official tourism site, lists illumination from sunset until 9 pm during the festival. Details can change from year to year, so check the official site before you go.

Around Asuke

Aichi Now suggests pairing Korankei with several nearby places: Sanshu Asuke Yashiki, Kojakuji Temple, Asuke Hachimangu Shrine, the preserved streets of Asuke old town, Asuke Castle and Hyakunensō. Kojakuji is a natural choice, given its place in the story of the maples.

Walking around Korankei is free. Parking is paid, and charges vary by season and may change, so it is worth checking the official information first.

Through the hills, up to the highlands

Leaving the gorge behind, the view through the windscreen slowly changes. Riverside shade gives way to glimpses of sky between the trees, and little by little the landscape opens up.

Mountain roads reward an unhurried pace. Allow plenty of time, and check the weather and road information before you set out.

These are also roads where the car itself becomes part of the day. The Mazda Roadster is light and direct, the kind of car that makes each bend feel easy and engaging. With the roof down, you notice the scent of the forest and the change in the air. The Porsche Macan offers a different pleasure: calm, assured power and a settled, confident feel on winding roads.

Chausuyama Highlands: the highest ground in Aichi

The prefecture’s highest peak

Chausuyama sits on the border between Aichi and Nagano and is the highest peak in the prefecture. Aichi Now gives its elevation as 1,416 metres. Around the mountain, the highlands stretch out in calm, pastoral scenery.

The area lies in Toyone Village, within the Tenryu-Okumikawa Quasi-National Park.

What each season brings

Spring belongs to the Shibazakura Hill, near the summit of Mt Hagitaro at 1,358 metres. Aichi Now notes that 400,000 moss phlox plants bloom across about 22,000 square metres from early May to mid-June. The Toyone tourism association describes pink and white flowers against a blue sky, with the Southern Alps in view.

Summer here is said to be about 10°C cooler than Nagoya, which makes the highlands a popular escape from the heat. From spring to autumn, there are go-karts, mountain biking and canoeing.

Autumn brings colourful leaves, along with evening illumination of the foliage. In winter, the only ski area in Aichi opens. All year round, the highlands are known for hiking and starry night skies.

Before you go

The Shibazakura Hill can only be reached by sightseeing chairlift or on foot. According to the Chausuyama Highlands official site, you cannot drive up close. The lift may stop in bad weather or strong wind.

Opening hours, fees and parking arrangements vary by day and season, so check the official website before visiting. Bloom timing also shifts from year to year with the weather.

Driving in the mountains with care

Because Chausuyama lies within a quasi-national park, open flames are prohibited and smoking is not allowed in the park grounds. Collecting or capturing plants and animals is also prohibited. The official site notes that wild animals may cross at night, so take particular care after dark. Visitors are also asked not to drift, or play any sport that disturbs others, in the park and car parks.

If you drive on snowy or icy roads in winter, Japan’s National Police Agency advises fitting anti-skid devices such as tyre chains, or snow tyres such as studless tyres. It also advises slowing down well, keeping a generous distance, avoiding sudden starts, braking and steering, and following the tracks of vehicles ahead where you can. See the agency’s website for details.

For the days you head for the hills

TŌNORI (遠乗り) is a car rental service planned to open in Nagoya in 2027, with both Japanese and imported cars. You can see the cars we feature on the line-up page.

Plans for drives and trips, and for self-drive travel by international visitors, are in preparation; you can follow them on our Plans page. Members receive 10% off their first rental, with eligibility details to be announced at launch, and can vote on which cars join the line-up in future. If that appeals, you can become a member.

We are quietly preparing to open, and will share more in time.

FAQ

Where can I enjoy a mountain drive in Aichi?

Okumikawa is one good option. Korankei in Asuke, Toyota City, offers riverside green, while the Chausuyama Highlands, around the highest peak in Aichi, offer wide highland views. Each season brings a different character.

Where can I stop in Okumikawa?

On the Chausuyama Highlands, there is the Shibazakura Hill in spring, outdoor activities from spring to autumn and a ski area in winter. Along the way, Korankei and nearby Kojakuji Temple, Asuke Hachimangu Shrine and Asuke old town are all worth a stop. Check each official site for opening hours and fees.