Kōrankei
Here we go on a new adventure, our hearts filled with excitement! Our destination: the magnificent Kōrankei, Aichi's natural gem that everyone knows! Oh, this valley, nestled between the river and the mountains, is truly a little corner of paradise! Each season reveals a new face, but it is in autumn that it shines brightest, truly breathtaking!
Prepare to be amazed by the thousands of maple trees that set the landscape ablaze with bright reds, oranges and yellows, offering a breathtaking spectacle. Just over an hour from Nagoya, Kōrankei is the perfect place to stroll, soak up the traditional atmosphere and let yourself be carried away by the magic of the colours.
As soon as I arrived, I was charmed by the crowd that had gathered to admire the illuminated momiji. It was a magnificent sight, and the place was full of life on that mild Friday evening. The air was cool, almost biting, but the beauty of the landscape quickly made me forget the temperature. The flamboyant leaves, illuminated by the night lights, swayed joyfully above the river, dancing a dazzling sarabande. This warm atmosphere, mixed with the murmur of amazed visitors, instantly enveloped me, and I was delighted! It was as if the cold had vanished, giving way to an unreal and intoxicating magic.
 |  |  |  |
|---|
As at festivals, the place was bustling with numerous food stalls: grilled skewers, ichigo ame — strawberries coated in hardened sugar that shine like little jewels — as well as steaming ramen and crispy karaage.
We fell in love with the delicious sesame mochi, prepared right in front of us, and honestly, it was pure delight! What an incredible experience to enjoy them in front of this illuminated landscape, with the red leaves reflecting in the river! It was truly a magical moment, even more special than usual. It was simple, warm, and absolutely perfect.
 |  |  |  |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |
After eating well, we resumed our walk to fully enjoy the beauty of kōyō. Kōyō is that magical time in Japan when the autumn leaves turn red, orange and bright yellow. It is a much-anticipated time of year, almost as popular as the cherry blossom season, but still less well known abroad. Yet it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful times to visit Japan: the landscapes are transformed into living paintings and every walk becomes a natural spectacle.
Under the evening lights, the illuminated maple trees gave the impression that the entire valley was on fire. And to make this moment even more special, I was treated to a small private photo shoot, courtesy of my boyfriend, of course. Between the colours, the atmosphere and the memories captured, it was a perfect moment.
And that's it, we've already reached the end of today's little blog post. It's shorter than usual, but I really wanted to share this unique moment with you, this little slice of life in Japan that filled me with joy and wonder. Sometimes it's precisely these simple little moments, which we experience almost without expecting them, that are worth recounting. Thank you for travelling with me, even if it was only for a few minutes!