Why this Shiga drive deserves a gentle plan

Metasequoia Avenue in Makino, Takashima City, is an easy place to understand and an easy place to underestimate. The tree-lined prefectural road runs through the area of Makino Pickland Agricultural Park in Shiga Prefecture. About 500 metasequoias line roughly 2.4 kilometres, creating a long, straight landscape with the Nosaka Mountains in the distance. It is a worthwhile rental-car stop for travellers who prefer scenery and a short walk to a packed checklist of attractions.

For autumn colour, timing matters more than a fixed date. The Lake Biwa Takashima Tourism Association places the usual foliage period from late November to early December and describes the colour as brick red or brown rather than the vivid red of maple leaves. Light, weather and viewing angle all change the appearance. Treat that period as a guide, not a promise: check the local status update shortly before leaving, especially if your trip is planned around photographs.

Set the destination before the car moves

Put “Makino Pickland” into the rental car’s navigation rather than attempting to stop at the most photogenic point on the avenue. The local visitor guide specifically recommends this destination setting. It is a simple choice that brings the day back to a proper arrival point instead of turning a public road into a search for a shoulder. If you are approaching from the Kyoto side, the association’s car directions use the Nishi-Otsu Bypass, Kosai Road and National Route 161; follow current navigation and road signs rather than memorising a route from an old blog post.

Build margin around the stop. Autumn crowds can slow the final approach, and a scenic road is not the place to make up time. Decide in advance whether this is a short leg-stretch, a walk near the park or one stop in a larger Shiga day. Keep your fuel level comfortable, bring rain protection, and avoid making a tight restaurant or check-in reservation immediately afterward. A calm timetable leaves room for traffic, a weather change or a parking instruction without turning the drive stressful.

Park once, then enjoy the avenue on foot

Use the free parking at Makino Pickland. The tourism association also says temporary free parking may be arranged nearby during the foliage season; check its latest notice on the day instead of assuming last year’s arrangement will apply. Do not park beside the tree-lined road. Local guidance asks visitors not to do so because it obstructs traffic, creates danger and disturbs the surrounding area. The same guidance notes that nearby roads are residential, so slow, considerate driving is part of the visit rather than an optional courtesy.

• Park only in the designated area and take belongings with you.
• Walk to your chosen viewpoint; keep clear of moving vehicles and watch your footing.
• Take photographs from a safe position, never from the carriageway or a vehicle door.
• Return to the car only when every passenger is ready, then leave without lingering at the roadside.

Apply Japan’s everyday driving rules

The destination may be rural, but the basic rules are the same everywhere. Japan drives on the left. JAF says drivers must yield to pedestrians, all occupants must wear seatbelts, and drivers must not use a phone or be distracted by car navigation while driving. A child younger than six must be secured in a child seat. Speed limits shown on signs and road markings apply, so use the posted limit rather than the pace of another car. These habits are especially useful after a photo stop, when passengers may be talking and the driver may be looking for the next turn.

Before moving off, set the next destination, secure cameras and bags, and have everyone buckle up. Keep the first few minutes quiet enough to re-enter traffic attentively. If the road is busy, skip a last-minute photo rather than stopping again. The best memory of Metasequoia Avenue is a relaxed walk among the trees, followed by a safe drive onward.

Check once more before departure

Road conditions, foliage and temporary parking can change. Review the Lake Biwa Takashima Tourism Association visitor guidance before departure, then use the JAF traffic-rules guide as a refresher for driving in Japan. With a correct destination, a legal parking plan and time to slow down, this Shiga autumn drive stays beautiful without asking the road to do more than it should.

Why ETC preparation makes a Japan road trip calmer

Japan’s expressways connect airports, cities, mountain areas and coastal destinations, but toll gates can feel unfamiliar on a first rental-car trip. ETC, or Electronic Toll Collection, lets a vehicle pay electronically at a compatible gate instead of stopping to pay manually. A simple check before departure helps you choose the right lane, keep the correct card in the car and plan realistic driving time.

Before leaving the rental counter

Ask whether the car has an ETC card reader and whether an ETC card can be rented with the vehicle. Having a reader does not automatically mean that a card is inserted. Confirm the rental terms, how tolls will be calculated, and when payment will be settled. Check that the card is inserted in the reader before entering an ETC lane, and listen for the reader’s guidance if the vehicle provides it.

• Confirm the ETC card, reader and rental procedure.
• Check the card direction and insert it before driving onto the expressway.
• Keep the rental agreement and emergency contact details easy to reach.

Choosing the correct toll lane

Follow the lane signs and reduce speed before the toll gate. Use a lane marked ETC only when the card is correctly inserted and the lane is open. Mixed lanes may accept more than one payment method, but always follow the sign displayed at that gate. Never reverse if a barrier does not open. Stop safely as instructed, use the intercom or assistance button, and follow the staff’s directions. Reversing at a gate creates a serious risk for vehicles behind you.

Plan the route, not only the destination

Expressway tolls depend on the route and distance. Use an official toll and route search before departure, then save the entrance and exit interchange names in your navigation system. Some special ETC discount plans are limited to particular regions, vehicles, dates or designated cards; availability and conditions can change. Do not assume that a plan for Hokkaido, Tohoku or another region applies across Japan. Check the current official page and the rental company’s conditions.

Allow time for service areas and parking areas. They are useful places to rest, refuel when appropriate, check traffic information and change drivers. Do not stop on the shoulder to check a map. If you miss an interchange, continue safely and leave at the next suitable exit instead of stopping or driving against traffic.

Safe expressway habits

• Drive on the left and obey the posted speed limit.
• Keep a generous following distance, especially in rain, darkness or heavy traffic.
• Take regular breaks; fatigue can make a familiar road dangerous.
• Watch for the end of a traffic queue and slow early.
• Never use a smartphone while driving and never drive after drinking alcohol.

A five-minute departure checklist

Before joining the expressway, check the weather and traffic, confirm the destination interchange, verify the ETC card is inserted, adjust the navigation before moving, and make sure every passenger is buckled up. These small steps turn an unfamiliar toll system into a predictable part of the journey.

When a slower plan is the safer plan

A rental car gives you flexibility, not a reason to hurry. If rain, fog, strong wind or an unexpected queue makes the planned route uncomfortable, pause at a proper facility and review the official traffic information. A service area is a better place to make a decision than a narrow shoulder. Keep the driver focused on the road while another passenger checks the route, if possible.

Remember that a toll pass is not a guarantee of clear roads or faster arrival. It does not replace checking closures, weather or local signs. A route that looks short on a map may include steep sections, tunnels or long periods without a convenient stop. Build a little spare time into the day, especially when travelling with children, large luggage or more than one driver.

Sources: Japan National Tourism Organization rental-car guidance; Chubu District Transport Bureau drive guide; NEXCO East DrivePass/ETC information.

Start calmly at an unfamiliar Japanese intersection

Driving a rental car is one of the most flexible ways to explore Japan, but an unfamiliar intersection can demand attention long before the light changes. Lanes may narrow, signs may be in Japanese, pedestrians may be waiting at a crossing, and a navigation voice may speak at exactly the wrong moment. The best response is not to rush. Slow down early, scan the whole junction, and leave enough space to make a legal choice rather than a last-second correction.

This guide focuses on a repeatable routine for ordinary roads. It is not a substitute for road signs or instructions from police, but it can help a visitor turn reliable rules into safer habits. Before departure, take a moment in the rental car to identify the indicator, wiper, hazard-light and navigation controls. Those small checks reduce distraction when you need to watch the road.

Read the signal before planning the turn

Japan drives on the left. At a green signal, ordinary motor vehicles may go straight, turn left or turn right, but a turn is never a reason to ignore people or traffic already using the intersection. A red signal means stop before the stop line. When a signal turns yellow, do not accelerate to beat it; stop if you can do so safely. A green arrow permits movement in the direction it shows even when the main signal is red or yellow.

Signal position can feel unfamiliar, so look well ahead instead of following the car in front automatically. At a flashing red signal, vehicles must stop before proceeding. At a flashing yellow signal, proceed carefully while watching for other road users. If a signal, sign, temporary control or police officer gives a direction, follow the direction that applies to your vehicle.

Use a simple approach routine

A calm approach gives you time to see lane arrows, crossing lines and people at the curb. Begin reducing speed before the junction rather than braking sharply at the line. Keep your eyes moving between the signal, mirrors, side road and pedestrian areas. In rain, dusk or glare, add more time and following distance because markings and movement are harder to read.

• Stay in the left lane unless arrows, signs or your route require another lane.
• Check the lane arrow early; do not cut across solid markings or force a late merge.
• Signal in good time, then check mirrors and the area beside the car before changing direction.
• Stop where the line requires, leaving the crossing clear for pedestrians.
• Keep a phone put away and let a passenger handle navigation when possible.

Make right turns with patience

A right turn crosses traffic coming from the opposite direction, so it deserves extra patience. On a green light, position the car as the road markings allow, look for oncoming vehicles, and wait until there is a safe gap. Also check the crossing you will enter: people walking or cycling may be hard to notice when your attention is fixed on an approaching car. Do not assume that another driver’s indicator, speed or position guarantees what they will do. Complete the turn only when the path is clearly safe and remain on the left side of the road you enter.

For a left turn, reduce speed and check the inside area carefully for pedestrians and bicycles. Do not swing wide into another lane. In both directions, smooth steering and a low speed give you time to respond if someone enters the crossing.

Let missed turns become safe detours

Visitors sometimes make a mistake because the map suggests a turn too late. Missing a turn is inconvenient; an abrupt maneuver is dangerous. Continue ahead, let the navigation recalculate, and choose a legal, calm place to turn around. Never reverse into an intersection, stop in a live lane to study the map, or use an unsafe shortcut just to recover a few minutes.

Finish every drive with the same safety priorities

Before moving off, confirm that every occupant has a seatbelt and that the driver is rested and fully sober. Keep within the posted limit, yield to pedestrians, and put attention ahead of the itinerary. With a little preparation and a willingness to wait, Japanese intersections become less stressful and leave more of the day for the places you came to see.