Metasequoia Road in Makino: A Summer Guide to Shiga's Green Tunnel
A 2.4-kilometer avenue of roughly 500 dawn redwoods on Lake Biwa's quiet northern shore. Autumn is the famous season — summer is when it actually feels secret.
Why summer here is the underrated season
If you have seen this road in photos, you have probably seen it in November. Deep red leaves, a long perspective straight down the avenue, the trees forming a cathedral. That photo is real — and in mid-to-late November, that exact road has tens of thousands of visitors over three weekends.
Summer is when it actually feels like a secret. The same 500 trees are fully leafed out, the canopy a dense, almost chlorophyll-green ceiling. The road stays open to traffic, the air inside the tunnel runs several degrees cooler than the open lake shore, and on a Tuesday in July you can stand in the middle of it with the road almost to yourself.
It is not the kind of place that loads guidebooks. Even domestic Japanese travelers tend to think of it only in autumn. That is the opportunity.
The short version: 1.5 hours from Kyoto by JR Kosei Line. A 2.4-km tree-lined road that is photogenic in any season but quietest in summer. Free, public, walk- or bike-friendly. No tour buses.
Quick facts
| Location | Makino, Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture (western shore of northern Lake Biwa) |
|---|---|
| What it is | A public road lined with metasequoia (dawn redwood) trees on both sides |
| Length | Approximately 2.4 kilometers |
| Number of trees | Approximately 500 metasequoia on both sides |
| Planted | Around 1981 (per local tourism information) |
| Selected | Recognized in Japan's "New 100 Streetscapes" (per local tourism information) |
| Entry fee | None — it is a public road, free at any time |
| Best time | Late autumn (mid-Nov) for the famous reds; summer for the green tunnel and solitude; spring for fresh shoots; winter for snow. |
| Time to budget | 1–2 hours including a slow walk both directions and photography |
| Reference | Takashima City (Wikipedia) · Takashima City Tourism (official) |
How to get there from Kyoto / Osaka
- From Kyoto Station: Take the JR Kosei Line (湖西線) to Makino Station. About 1 hour 30 minutes, roughly ¥1,520 each way. Direct, no transfers.
- From Osaka Station: Roughly 2 hours via Kyoto on JR. Similar fare.
- From Makino Station to the road:
- On foot: Roughly 30 minutes (about 2.5 km). Flat, signposted, but a long walk in summer heat — bring water.
- By bus: Local buses run to the Makino Pickland / Makino Highland area, about 10 minutes. Check timetables — frequency is rural.
- By taxi: About 10 minutes, ¥1,000–1,500. Practical and reliable.
- By rental bicycle: Bikes are sometimes available at Makino Station or nearby — the road is flat and bike-friendly. Confirm with current tourism information.
Interactive map will be embedded here.
What it actually looks like in summer
The trees are tall — dawn redwoods grow to 20–35 meters — and the avenue is wide enough that the two rows meet in a continuous canopy overhead. From June through August the canopy is at full density; light filters down through it as green-tinged shade. The road itself is paved, used by local cars, easy to walk in either direction.
From the southern end near Makino Pickland to the northern end you pass small farms, fruit orchards, a few cafés, and the entrance to Makino Highland. The route is largely flat with no major intersections — easy on a hot day if you take breaks.
Local Tips (things we'd tell a friend)
- Visit on a weekday before lunch. Even in autumn, mornings before 10 a.m. are noticeably less crowded. In summer, a weekday gives you the road almost entirely to yourself.
- Walk the road both directions. The light and perspective change — the southbound view opens onto distant peaks; northbound closes in, more forest-like.
- Bring water. The canopy gives shade, but Makino in July still touches 32 °C. Vending machines at Makino Pickland, few along the road itself.
- Pickland is the main hub. A roadside station (michi-no-eki) with seasonal fruit, a worth-stopping soft-serve stand, restrooms, and parking. The practical pause point of the day.
- For photographs, late afternoon is the magic hour. The avenue runs roughly north–south, so western light slices through the trunks. In summer, the magic-hour window is 6:00–7:30 p.m.
- Combine with the Lake Biwa shore. Makino's lakefront has small beaches that are walkable from the road. A swim and a tree walk in the same afternoon makes the long train ride worth it.
When to go: a season-by-season look
Spring
Fresh light-green leaves from late April. Cooler than summer, very few visitors.
Summer
Full canopy and the deepest shade. Quietest of the four seasons. Pair with a Lake Biwa swim.
Autumn
The famous one. Peak color mid-November for 2–3 weekends. Crowded but worth it.
Winter
Bare branches and, in good years, snow on the avenue. Striking, rarely photographed, very cold.
An autumn-specific guide is in the works for the next leaf season. We'll link it here when it goes live.
Plan your visit
The Metasequoia Road itself is free and open year-round. The practical part is the trip up from Kyoto and a place to stop for lunch or water.
- Train tickets: JR Kyoto → Makino tickets are sold at any JR station ticket machine. The route is covered by the JR Kansai Wide Area Pass (JR West official passes).
- Hub: Makino Pickland (roadside station) for restrooms, seasonal fruit, soft-serve, and parking. Confirm hours with current Takashima City tourism information.
- Stay: Makino Highland and Lake Biwa shoreline ryokan are walkable to the road. If you want to combine with a Lake Biwa morning, an overnight is worth it.
When these slots go live, this section will contain affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on bookings, but it never affects what we recommend or what we write.
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