豊田市の中心地から北東へ約15kmのところにある足助町。もとは東加茂郡だったが、2005年の市町村合併により、豊田市となった。自然豊かな山あいに位置し、矢作川の支流・巴川がつくる渓谷である香嵐渓は、紅葉の名所として知られ、秋になると全国から人々が訪れる。足助は、かつて尾張・三河と信州を結ぶ伊那街道（中馬街道）の中継地点の商家町として栄えた。さまざまな物資が運ばれたが、なかでも塩はここで詰め替えられ、「足助塩」「足助直し」と言われていたという。足助の町並みは、足助川の谷筋に沿う段丘上に広がっているのが特徴だ。街道沿いの家は、短冊状の敷地に主屋を間口いっぱいに建て、その背後に離れ座敷や土蔵を配置。限られた敷地を利用するため、切土や盛土による造成地や石垣の上に建てられるなどしたことが、独特の景観を作り出している。現在は江戸時代後期から明治後期までに建てられた建物が多く残る町並みを見ることができる。
たおやかインターネット放送ＨＰ：http://taoyaka.at-ninja.jp/
Asuke Town about 15 km northeast of the center of Toyota City. Originally it was Higashikamo-gun, but it became Toyota City by the merger of municipalities in 2005. Located in a mountainous area rich in nature, Karashikei, which is a valley created by the Yawa River's tributaries and Yodogawa, is known as a scenic spot for colored leaves, and people from all over the country will visit in the fall. Asuke once prospered as a merchant town on the Ina Highway (Zhongma Highway) connecting Owari, Mikawa and Shinshu. Various supplies were transported, but among them, salt was refilled here, and it was said that “Asukeshi” and “Asukesuke” were said. The townscape of Asuke is characterized by the fact that it spreads on the terrace along the valley line of the Asuke River. The house along the highway built the main house on the strip-like site completely, and placed a separate pavilion and storehouse behind it. The unique landscape is created by the fact that it was built on cut land and embankment construction site and stone wall to use the limited site. Currently we can see the cityscape with many buildings built from the late Edo period to the late Meiji period.
Taoyaka Internet Broadcasting Website: http: //taoyaka.at-ninja.jp/