The katakana town of Makino is located at the northern end of Takashima City.
Bordering Fukui Prefecture to the north and facing Lake Biwa to the southwest, it has been opened as the shortest route connecting the Kinai region and northern Japan since ancient times, and has since flourished as a key point of lake transportation. Even today, stonework remains on the lakeside, reminiscent of the past, and the lakeside scenery is outstanding, with the cherry blossom trees of Kaizu Osaki and Makino Sunny Beach with its beautiful lake waters.
The plateau area also has many popular tourist spots, such as the Makino Plateau at the foot of Mount Akasaka, hot springs, the metasequoia tree-lined streets that change appearance with the seasons, and the Makino Pick-Land agricultural park, making it a mecca for leisure activities that can be enjoyed all year round.
A 2.4km long avenue lined with about 500 trees. The beautiful scenery changes with the seasons, from new buds and greenery in spring, to deep greenery in summer, autumn leaves in fall, and snowy scenery in winter, attracting visitors. At the adjacent agricultural park, Makino Pickland, you can experience harvesting seasonal fruits.
Makino Pick-Land is an agricultural park where you can enjoy picking seasonal fruits. It consists of three zones: the orchard zone, the roadside landscape zone, and the park zone.
Approximately 800 Somei-yoshino cherry trees bloom in full glory along the 4km stretch of Lake Biwa. Not only can you stroll through the beautiful cherry blossom tunnel, but during the season, you can also enjoy cherry blossom viewing from the lake on a sightseeing boat.
Founded in 1784, this is a long-established funazushi restaurant. The funazushi is fermented and aged slowly over two winters. This is a proud dish with a rich sourness and umami flavor from lactic acid fermentation.
There is a swimming area at Makino Sunny Beach Takagihama, which is said to be the most beautiful beach on Lake Biwa, on the lakeside lined with pine trees, which was selected as one of Japan's 18 best white sand beaches. In the spring of XNUMX, it was also selected as one of Japan's XNUMX best swimming beaches.
Located at the foot of Mount Akasaka, this plateau can be enjoyed all year round, with white slopes in winter and a carpet of green in spring and autumn. There are also plenty of nearby facilities, such as the Makino Forest Sports Center, Makino Pickland Agricultural Park, and Makino Kogen Minshuku Village, making it an ideal base for school trips and sports training camps.
We will guide you through a fun course around Makino's tourist spots.
JRMakino Station
JRMakino Station
You can also use the bus or conveniently rent a bicycle.
The Kaizu, Nishihama, and Chiriuchi areas of Makino Town are home to a diverse water culture, including rivers and inland lakes such as Lake Biwa, stone walling on the lakeshore, communal wells, and the traditional fishery practiced in the Chiriuchi River.
In 20, the waterfront scenery of this area was selected as the fifth Important Cultural Landscape in the country. Historically, it has long been a hub of the lake and land transportation network that runs from the Sea of Japan to Kyoto and Osaka via Lake Biwa, and many people and goods have passed through it, especially during the Edo period, when it prospered as a post station and port town on the Nishiomi Road (Hokkoku Kaido). In addition to the stonework of Kaizu and Nishihama, the former Kaizu Fisheries Cooperative Association warehouse, the former Chiriuchi River Fishermen's Association warehouse, and five townhouses built during the Edo period have been designated as important elements that make up the landscape. (*Interior tours are not permitted.)
