Onyu Pass

Onyu Pass, located on the border between Shiga and Fukui prefectures, is a spectacular natural view point where you can see the mountains of the Tamba Heights and the Sea of Japan in the distance. The best time to visit is in autumn, when the entire surrounding mountains are dyed in a gradation of red and yellow. It used to be a hidden area known only to those in the know, but in 2015, a forest road connecting Obama and Takashima through the pass was opened, and it has become popular as a driving route where you can enjoy the varied views.

Takashima, Kosei

Takashima enjoys the rich forests of the Tamba Mountains and the bounty of the waters of Lake Biwa. Easily accessible from Osaka and Kyoto, Takashima offers beautiful scenery and activities in each of the four seasons: cherry blossoms at Kaizu-Osaki adorn the surface of the lake in spring, beaches on Lake Biwa shines in the sun in summer, autumn leaves color the rows of metasequoia trees and surrounding mountains in fall, and skiing on the plateau while enjoying the magnificent view of the lake in winter.