Metasequoia Avenue
A 2.4km avenue of 500 metasequoia trees lining a ruler-straight rural road in the Makino highlands near Lake Biwa. The trees create a cathedral-like tunnel in every season: fresh green in spring, dense shade in summer, golden-red in November, and snowy silhouettes in December. Selected as one of Japan's top 100 roads.
1–2 hours
Free
Always open; most photogenic: mid-Nov (autumn colour) and late Dec–Feb (bare branches with snow)
November (peak colour), April–May (fresh green)
Makino Station on JR Kosei Line; about 25 min by bicycle or 30 min on foot to the avenue entrance (Makino Pickland area)
Location
Why Visit
- 1
One of Japan's 100 most scenic roads — the straight 2.4km tunnel of 500 trees changes with every season
- 2
November foliage transforms the avenue into a cathedral of orange-gold
- 3
Cycling the avenue and continuing to the Lake Biwa shore takes about an hour from the nearest station
Local Tips
The 2.4km double row of 500 metasequoia trees is a striking and unusual landscape in rural Shiga. The avenue is a 10-minute drive from Makino Station on the JR Kosei Line. In spring (late March) the fresh green needles create an entirely different atmosphere. Combine with the Tsuruga Peninsula and Lake Biwa's northern shore.
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