Discover the Beauty of Makino: 13 Must-Visit Tourist Spots with Stunning Views

Makino Town, located in Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture, lies near Lake Biwa. This area comes alive in the summer, drawing many tourists. As a resort destination, it is an ideal spot for leisure, sightseeing, and escaping the heat. Centered around Makino Station, the surrounding area is home to numerous popular tourist attractions offering breathtaking views. This time, we’ve carefully selected and will introduce some of the most recommended spots. If you’re planning to visit, be sure to check them out!

1. Metasequoia Avenue

Metasequoia Avenue is a 2.4 km-long tree-lined road leading to Makino Highland. About 500 metasequoia trees stand along this road, each approximately 12 meters tall. The sight of these towering trees stretching strongly toward the sky is truly spectacular. Since the metasequoia trees change their appearance with the seasons, visitors can enjoy different scenic views throughout the year. Summer and autumn are particularly recommended. In summer, the vivid green foliage against the bright blue sky creates a refreshing scene, while in autumn, the leaves turn colorful, forming a breathtaking view reminiscent of a beautiful painting.

The autumn foliage season attracts many visitors, making the roads congested, but during the fresh greenery season, the crowds are lighter, allowing you to enjoy the pleasant air of the highlands. Parking is available nearby, making it convenient to park your car and take a leisurely walk along the avenue.

2. Kaizu Osaki

Kaizu Osaki is a rocky promontory jutting into Lake Biwa, also known as "Gyomu: The Rocky Shore of Kaizu Osaki." It is one of the Eight Scenic Views of Lake Biwa and a breathtaking sightseeing spot. Spring is the best time to visit. The tunnel created by the fully bloomed cherry blossoms offers a mesmerizing sight, attracting many visitors from outside the prefecture to witness its beauty.

During the cherry blossom season, road restrictions are in place for vehicles, so taking a train to Makino Station and renting a bicycle is a convenient option for a smooth flower-viewing experience. You can enjoy the cherry blossoms while tasting food from local stalls, and the nearby old townscapes and stone walls along the lakeshore add charm to your visit. With luck, you might even encounter a family of monkeys in this rich natural setting.

3. Shirahige Shrine

Shirahige Shrine is known for its large torii gate standing in the waters of Lake Biwa. It is the main shrine of all Shirahige Shrines in Japan, and its torii gate, which appears to float on the lake, rivals the grandeur of the famous Itsukushima Shrine. It is often referred to as "Omi’s Itsukushima" and attracts many worshippers from outside the prefecture. The shrine presents different expressions depending on the season, weather, and time of day, ensuring a fresh experience each time.

This shrine is also recognized as a power spot. The "Iwakura" (sacred rock) located on the ancient burial mounds in the hills behind the shrine is particularly noteworthy. Shirahige Shrine is said to grant blessings for longevity, traffic safety, maritime safety, prosperity, matchmaking, and fertility. It is an excellent spot to pray for safety during your Makino travels and wish for happiness in the future.

4. Makino Sunny Beach

Makino Sunny Beach is a beautiful spot where you can enjoy the stunning scenery of northern Lake Biwa. It was selected by the Ministry of the Environment in 2006 as one of the "100 Best Beaches for Swimming" and was specially recognized in the "Lake Category." The water is so clear that you can see fish swimming from a distance. With snorkeling, you can enjoy watching the fish up close while swimming. Additionally, because of the low salinity, you won’t feel sticky after coming out of the water.

Around the area, you can enjoy activities like auto camping and barbecues, making it a fun destination for families, couples, and groups. Depending on the year, it’s warm enough for lake swimming during the day until around September. However, the beach has many stones, so wearing sandals is recommended for safety.

5. Chikubu Island Tour

Chikubu Island is a small island floating in the northern part of Lake Biwa. It is one of the Saigoku 33 Kannon pilgrimage sites and has long been a place of worship. Recently, it has gained attention as a power spot in Lake Biwa, attracting young tourists.

The ferry cruise to Chikubu Island is refreshing and exhilarating. From the lake, you can enjoy stunning views of the island, which is covered with trees—mostly conifers—offering seasonal beauty throughout the year. On the island, you’ll find treasures like the Tang Gate of Hogonji Temple (a national treasure), the main hall of Tsukubusuma Shrine (Chikubu Island Shrine), and the Funairouka Corridor of Hogonji Temple (an important cultural property). The entire island is enveloped in a mystical atmosphere, making it a place where you can feel spiritual energy.

At Hogonji Temple, you can write your wishes on a piece of paper and place it in the "Happiness Daruma of Benzaiten." At the Dragon Shrine of Tsukubusuma Shrine, don’t forget to try the "kawara throwing" activity. It’s said that if the tile you throw passes through the torii gate on the lake, your wish will come true.

6. Makino Highland

Makino Highland features a large ski slope stretching along the foothills of Mt. Akasaka (824m above sea level). It’s a perfect winter destination, especially for family skiing and snowboarding beginners. Beyond winter sports, it’s also popular as a summer retreat. The area has small streams where children can play, and simple river activities are possible. Driving around the Makino area is delightful, and you can enjoy camping, ground golf, and more. The highland also has a hot spring facility where you can relax and rejuvenate after your adventures.

7. Kuchiki Valley

Kuchiki Valley in Makino is located in the western part of Takashima City, along the middle stream of the Adogawa River. It features breathtaking views of the bedrock, eroded into stunning landscapes. Also known as “Omi Yabakei,” it is a popular recreational spot where visitors can enjoy lush greenery in summer and colorful autumn foliage. Famous as a fishing destination, the nearby Kuchiki Stream Fish Center offers activities such as lure fishing, fish catching, and barbecuing with specialties like char-grilled trout.

Even during summer, Kuchiki Valley is cool, and the shade of the trees can feel a bit chilly. Enjoying a warm cup of coffee at a nearby restaurant or café while admiring the scenery is a delightful experience. Whether you’re captivated by the vibrant greenery of summer or the autumn foliage, it’s a great place to unwind and enjoy a relaxing moment.

8. Takashima City Makino Agricultural Park Makino Pic-Land

Takashima City Makino Agricultural Park, also known as Makino Pic-Land, is a tourist spot where visitors can enjoy fruit picking. Depending on the season, you can harvest cherries, blueberries, apples, grapes, chestnuts, and sweet potatoes. The fruits grown at Makino Pic-Land are cultivated with minimal use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers, and they are certified as "Environmentally Conscious Agricultural Products" by Shiga Prefecture. Note that while reservations are possible for most fruit-picking activities, cherry picking is available on a first-come, first-served basis, so plan accordingly.

The park also features a farmers’ market selling local produce, a golf course, and a gelato stand. Seasonal events are held, offering opportunities to stroll among the stalls or participate in corporate sampling events while enjoying the surrounding scenery.

9. Roadside Station “Tōju no Sato Adogawa”

The roadside station “Tōju no Sato Adogawa” offers tourist information and sells local specialties. It also features a hands-on experience area where visitors can create their own unique fans using “senkotsu,” the bone structure of traditional folding fans, a specialty of Adogawa. On weekends, events are held where visitors can observe fan artisans at work.

The station’s restaurant, “Adogawa Kitchen,” serves dishes made with local water, rice, and vegetables. The daily lunch plate is highly recommended. Other options include soba noodles made from flour produced in Shin-Asahi and tempura featuring shrimp caught in Lake Biwa, allowing guests to savor the local flavors. After a meal, try the “Takashima City Original Soft Serve,” made with milk from locally raised cows. It’s rich yet refreshingly light, making it a popular treat.

10. Roadside Station "Makino Ossaka Pass"

Located along National Route 161, the roadside station "Makino Ossaka Pass" offers freshly harvested vegetables in the morning, as well as a wide variety of processed goods and specialties made from locally produced ingredients. As a result, it attracts many visitors not only from the local area but also from outside the prefecture.

The recommended product is the local specialty burger, "Mizu no Sato Biwamasu Burger," a popular item sold only on weekends during the autumn and winter seasons. Additionally, the station offers a variety of fruits and gelato made from produce harvested at Makino Pickland, as well as highly praised rice flour bread made from locally grown rice.

11. Shiga Prefectural Lake Biwa Children's Land

Located near the shore of Lake Biwa and close to the mouth of the Adogawa River, "Shiga Prefectural Lake Biwa Children's Land" is a large-scale children's center. The outdoor area is equipped with numerous large playgrounds and athletic facilities, making it a lively place for families with children to have fun. To the north of the Rainbow House lies a vast grassy field where visitors can enjoy activities like badminton and ball games. In spring, the cherry blossoms along the park's edge bloom beautifully, making it a recommended spot for hanami (cherry blossom viewing).

A standout feature is the free-fall-style slide. Standing at 5.5 meters tall with an 80-degree incline, it's a unique challenge. From Golden Week through autumn weekends and holidays, as well as during summer vacation, visitors can also enjoy "Koron Koron Ball," where you can walk on water inside a ball. It's an exciting activity suitable for kids aged 5 through elementary school.

12. Gulliver Youth Village

Inspired by the world of Jonathan Swift's novel Gulliver's Travels, the "Gulliver Youth Village" is an athletic and accommodation facility divided into five themed areas, each with its own unique features.

In the "Land of Giants," everything, including the Gulliver statue, is built on a large scale, while in the "Land of Lilliputians," all structures, like bungalows and tents, are downsized, giving visitors the sensation of being giants. The "Land of Knowledge" features an observatory for enjoying seasonal stargazing, while the "Land of Strength" includes athletic activities like Tarzan ropes and the Lilliput Valley crossing. In the "Land of Play," visitors can immerse themselves in a fairytale-like atmosphere.

The village also offers experiences like fish-catching and ice cream-making. Activities such as barbecues and auto camping provide additional ways to enjoy your time there.

13. Kaizu Townscape

Located at the northern tip of Lake Biwa along the Kosai River, “Kaizu Townscape” is a place where you can enjoy the charming, traditional streetscape. This area developed early as a key point along the Hokuriku Road and remained significant even during the Edo period.

Today, houses line the lakefront, where meticulously crafted stone walls are neatly built. Along the streets of Kaizu, you’ll find traditional Japanese confectionery shops, sake breweries, and tsukudani (simmered seafood) shops, offering a variety of delicious items at affordable prices. Visitors can enjoy the nostalgic scenery, while also taking in the stunning views of Lake Biwa that peek through the town.

Take your time strolling, visiting shops that catch your interest, or stepping out to the lakeshore to admire the stonework. It’s a tranquil spot enjoyable for families, couples, or even solo travelers.

◎ Summary

This guide introduces 13 must-visit tourist attractions around Makino Station. Near Makino Station, you'll find a variety of places, such as nature-filled attractions and a roadside station where you can encounter Makino's specialty products. All of them are must-visit destinations. There are plenty of places you can drop by casually, so feel free to explore at your own pace.