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Boosting Korankei as Aichi Gateway: Dining, Glamping Complex Enhances Local Tourism

Korankei in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, is renowned as the best spot in the prefecture for viewing autumn leaves. With about 4,000 maple trees that change color in the fall, it attracts crowds of tourists. 

However, the appeal of Korankei extends beyond the autumn season. In spring, wildflowers such as katakuri (dogtooth violets) bloom in profusion; in summer, visitors can enjoy river activities and camping; and in winter, a spectacular view of the valley awaits.

Honda Logicom Co., a logistics company in Kasugai, Aichi Prefecture, is working on a regional development project to promote awareness of these attractions and draw in tourists from outside the prefecture, including foreign travelers. One of their initiatives is the establishment of a facility called Ichinotani, located about a 10-minute drive east of Korankei.

Ichinotani, run by a subsidiary of Honda Logicom, is a group of old Japanese-style buildings hugging the riverside. The facility features a traditional ryotei and a casual restaurant, glamping and camping sites, and all-inclusive barbecues. 

According to a report by Japan News, this was all originally a ryotei restaurant, which was purchased by Honda Logicom and renovated for a July 2021 opening.

The dining room, shared by the two restaurants, offers a view of the Tomoegawa River. The chef, who has been working here since the days of the old ryotei, serves up kaiseki cuisine. In winter, the ryotei boasts of its gibier, such as its deer dishes. 

The casual dining restaurant, meanwhile, employs a young female chef who has experience in Italian and international cuisine and serves low-priced dishes that make the most of local ingredients.

Ichinotani is gaining popularity among young people, according to Ryo Kakumu, president of Ichinotani. The facility also organizes a summer festival to energize the whole community. 

This year’s festival, to be held in an open space in Korankei, is scheduled for August 26 and 27. The stage will feature pop idols as well as children’s songs and dance performances, and there will also be a food market, making it a fun event for the whole family.

Since last year, Ichinotani has also been working on a beekeeping business. This year, about 50 kilograms of honey was harvested. 

“We hope to brand the honey as Korankei honey and distribute it to restaurants in the area in the future, so that various restaurants can offer their own original dishes,” Kakumu said.

On the way to Korankei from Nagoya lies Ghibli Park and the Toyota Museum, which both pull in many tourists. By growing the appeal of Korankei, Ichinotani hopes to nudge visitors into the area. This initiative is expected to boost local tourism, stimulate the economy, and reach more people.

Ichinotani is located at 22 Ichinotani, Asuke-cho, Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture. It is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (last order 3:00 p.m.). The facility is closed on Thursdays. For more information, please visit Ichinotani’s website: https://ichinotani1.com/.

The efforts of Honda Logicom and Ichinotani are enhancing the appeal of Korankei as a gateway in Aichi. By offering diverse attractions throughout the year and promoting local products, they are contributing to the growth of local tourism and the economy.

Featured image from Ichinotani.

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Hi, you might find this article from Modern Campground interesting: Boosting Korankei as Aichi Gateway: Dining, Glamping Complex Enhances Local Tourism! This is the link: https://moderncampground.com/asia/japan/boosting-korankei-as-aichi-gateway-dining-glamping-complex-enhances-local-tourism/