Kyoto and Shiga / Mount Hiei
Hieizan Driveway Watching the lake beyond the autumn leaves, I forgot all about hurrying
Autumn leaves just beyond the handrail, with Lake Biwa and Otsu beyond them. I meant to stop for a short break, but before I knew it, I was watching the lake and nothing else.
In autumn, take in the foliage at Yumemigaoka and the view of Lake Biwa below. Read about the day I lingered with my chin in my hand.
AutumnMid-November
I rested my chin in my hand and couldn’t look away from the lake
I parked the red car and walked over to the handrail at Yumemigaoka. As I stretched out the hands that had just been on the wheel, autumn leaves came into view, with Lake Biwa beyond them. “Wait, can I really see this far?” I stopped in my tracks. I could see Otsu, too, and all at once it hit me how far I’d come.
At first, I thought I’d just look for a little while and head back. But as I followed the shoreline with my eyes, I started wondering what lay farther along. My gaze wandered between town and water; before I knew it, I’d leaned my elbows on the handrail and put my chin in my hand. I’d already settled into a pose that said I was staying a while.
Whenever a leaf swayed close to my face, I found myself looking back at the autumn foliage right in front of me. I wanted to take in both the nearby leaves and the distant lake, but my body was in no hurry at all. The tension eased from my shoulders, and whatever I’d been thinking about a moment ago seemed to slip into the background.
I kept thinking, just a little longer, and then realized I’d been telling myself that over and over. What did “a little” even mean? I’d decided to take the break myself, yet there I was extending the break again and again. The thought made me laugh, chin still in hand. Maybe this was exactly how I wanted to spend my time by the lake today.
I glanced down and spotted my red car in the car park. It had brought me all this way, and now I was seeing it from above. I could go back to it and set off again, but first I wanted to take a good look at the lake and remember it. I lifted my elbows from the handrail and took in the view one more time.
By the time I headed back, I felt lighter than when I’d arrived. Nothing had been solved, but that time spent looking at the lake had meant more to me than I expected. I got in, looked ahead, and tightened my grip on the wheel. If I stop for another break on Mount Hiei in autumn, I’m sure I’ll linger a little too long at Yumemigaoka again.
The story sections are fiction inspired by this location. For accurate information, please consult official tourism and information websites.
Food and a place to take a break
Soft-serve ice cream at Yumemigaoka
At the yumemi cafe terrace in Yumemigaoka, you can get soft-serve ice cream, too. After taking in the lake, I’d love to make room for something sweet. Even while I was absorbed in the view, the thought of making my break last a little longer made me curious about soft-serve.
Highlights
A sweeping view of Lake Biwa and Otsu from Yumemigaoka
Yumemigaoka is a lookout with a sweeping view of Otsu and Lake Biwa. As soon as I reached the handrail, the view opened up from the town all the way to the lake, and I caught my breath. I love being able to slow down and take it all in here, midway through the drive.
Autumn leaves and lake views
In autumn, you can enjoy the foliage at Yumemigaoka, too. Look at the leaves up close, then turn your gaze to the lake beyond them and get a fresh sense of just how far the view stretches. I lingered with my chin resting in my hand, looking back and forth between the autumn leaves and the lake.
Road details
From the Hieizan Driveway to Yumemigaoka
- Route to Yumemigaoka
- About 2 km from Tanotani Pass Gate
- Where to park
- Yumemigaoka car park
Yumemigaoka is about 2 km from Tanotani Pass Gate. Park in the car park, then head over to take in the view of the lake. After parking, I went to the handrail and enjoyed the slower pace after the drive.
Open Yumemigaoka on the map. You can also see the locations of the lookouts and facilities on the official Hieizan Driveway website.
More Spot Guides
If you enjoyed this story, you might like these places too. I've gone back to each of them in different seasons, again and again.
