Metasequoia Namiki

The Metasequoia Tree-lined Road, located in Makino Town, Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture, is a beautiful avenue stretching about 2.4 km, lined neatly with approximately 500 metasequoia trees. Extending along Prefectural Route Koaraji-Makinozawa Line, it runs through the agricultural park Makino Pic-Land and serves as an approach road leading to Makino Highlands, creating an open, highland-like landscape. Harmonizing with the mountains of the Nosaka range in the distance, the scenery reveals different expressions with each season and captivates many visitors.

The origins of this tree-lined road date back to 1981, when the Makino Fruit Growers Association planted the trees as part of a development project for the school farm “Makino Soil Learning Village.” Since then, the trees have been carefully nurtured by local residents, and additional plantings were carried out alongside road improvements, allowing the avenue to grow into the majestic tree-lined road it is today. Being protected and cultivated by the local community is one of its defining characteristics.

Metasequoia is a deciduous tall tree native to China and belongs to the cypress family (formerly classified as the cedar family). In Japanese, it is called “akebonosugi.” Named to mean “a transformed sequoia” because of its resemblance to the sequoia, it can grow to a height of 15 to 20 meters, with trunks reaching about 1.5 meters in diameter. Its straight, upright form is a distinctive feature, and when planted in rows, it creates a spectacular, uninterrupted landscape.

The greatest appeal of this tree-lined road is its beauty throughout the four seasons. In spring, tender fresh greenery unfurls, and visitors can enjoy strolling in the refreshing air. In summer, the deep green foliage grows thick, and the shade of the trees creates a cool, resort-like atmosphere. In autumn, the leaves turn from reddish-brown to golden, transforming the entire avenue into a beautiful tunnel of fall colors. Events are also held during this season to coincide with the autumn foliage, attracting many tourists from across Japan. In winter, snow settles on the leafless trees, creating a quiet and fantastical snowy scene.

In 1994, the avenue was selected for Yomiuri Shimbun’s “New 100 Great Street Trees of Japan,” earning national recognition for its scenic beauty. The sight of trees regularly lined up on both sides of the straight road is like a scene from a movie, making it a popular photo spot as well.

Nearby is Makino Pic-Land, where visitors can enjoy seasonal fruit picking, dining, and shopping for souvenirs. Another attraction is the chance to experience the charms of the local area alongside sightseeing.

When visiting, weekday early mornings are especially recommended. With fewer people and a calmer atmosphere, you can more leisurely appreciate the beauty of the tree-lined avenue. As it is both a tourist destination and a living road used by local residents, it is important to observe good manners and show consideration for the people of the area.

In this way, the Metasequoia Tree-lined Road is one of Shiga Prefecture’s representative sightseeing spots, a landscape beauty nurtured by nature and human hands, where visitors can feel the changing seasons. It is full of charm that makes you want to return again and again, as it reveals a different expression every time you visit.