A fruit farm that's completely covered in snow, with the mountains in the background. — Photos: AMIR HAFIDZ
“Tokyo? Again?” I asked my wife when she suggested where to go for our next family trip.
We were planning a getaway to celebrate my second-born’s “freedom” from his Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia exams.
“But they want to play in the snow ...” she reasoned.
I had visited Tokyo, Japan before but rarely heard of anyone going there for a winter wonderland experience. So I suggested going to Osaka instead, as we wouldn’t have to travel far from there to experience snow.
Truth be told, we had never heard of Makino. We had never seen it featured in documentaries, social media posts, or even travel recommendations. It was our nephew, Abae – he works in Kobe – who suggested we go there, which is near where we wanted to go, Biwako Valley Snow Park.
A fruit farm that’s covered in snow, with the mountains in the background. — Photos: AMIR HAFIDZ
There was some light snowfall on our first day in Osaka; we headed to Makino right after that. We were so concerned that we would not enjoy the freezing temperature in Biwako Valley. Little did we know, we were about to step into a white paradise, complete with a mini blizzard and knee-deep snow.
Makino Kogen, a resort town located in Takashima City, Shiga Prefecture, is a two-hour drive from Tennoji in Osaka. Known for its year-round beauty, it offers breathtaking landscapes, outdoor activities, and relaxing hot springs.
As a photographer experiencing snow for the first time, my aim was to capture the iconic Metasequoia Namiki Avenue – a 2.4km road flanked by 500 perfectly aligned Dawn Redwood trees, with snow-capped Nosaka mountains in the background. In winter, this tree tunnel transforms into a magical white corridor, drawing photographers and nature lovers alike.
To make our journey easier, we rented an eight-seater MPV for under RM700 for 12 hours. This allowed us to travel faster, cutting our travel time to just two hours.
The scenery throughout the drive gradually shifted from towering buildings to suburban landscapes, then to snow-covered homes, roads, and mountains.
As we got nearer to Makino, everything seemed to have transformed into an endless white expanse. Cars, rooftops, and fields lay beneath a thick blanket of fresh snow.
It looked so surreal.
This was the moment we had been waiting for: our first real snowfall. We had seen it in movies, imagined it countless times, and now, here we were, standing in Makino, fully immersed in winter’s embrace.
We parked at the Makino Kogen Snow Park, a family-friendly winter sports area offering sledding, snow play, and beginner skiing. It was ideal for us – no need for expensive gear or crowded ski resorts, just pure fun in the snow.
I watched as my family took their first steps, cautious at first, then confident. Soon, they were throwing snowballs, building igloos, and crafting tiny snowmen atop the soft, powdery surface. As flakes settled on our jackets and beanies, I offered a silent prayer to Allah, grateful for this unforgettable experience.
While the kids and their mother remained focused on their mini-igloo project, I took the opportunity to focus on my photography.
With the afternoon sun casting a soft, golden glow, I knew this was the perfect moment. I had scrolled through Instagram for inspiration, but now it was time to capture my own vision of the Metasequoia Namiki.
One of the writer's favourite photos of the tree-lined sidewalk.
With few tourists and barely any passing cars, it was effortless to shoot. The towering, snow-co-vered trees formed a majestic natural tunnel, their branches appearing meticulously sculpted.
One of my favourite shots featured a couple walking hand-in-hand along the sidewalk, framed by towering trees on one side and snow-covered mountains on the other. Leading lines from the hedges added depth, making it a picture-perfect winter scene.
Another favourite is a self-portrait of me in the middle of the road, between the towering tree tunnel. This is the most symmetrical natural background that I have ever shot in my life.
After hours of taking photos and playing in the snow, we decided to take a break. We made our way to the Makino Pickland Café, a cosy spot nestled near the famous trees. The taste of warm latte and caramel cookies after hours in the snow creates extraordinary feeling of satisfaction. The kids even had ice cream, because they were curious what it would feel like to have it during winter.
The writer managed to capture a picture of this dog sitting by the Metasequoia tree-lined roadside.
Everyone sat silently enjoying their snacks while watching other people playing tag in the snow outside the café.
Makino gave us more than just snow – it gifted us memories we would cherish forever.
As we drove back to Osaka in heavy snowfall, I scrolled through my photos, each frame capturing the essence of our first winter adventure.
In the car, I made a silent promise: this wouldn’t be our last visit.
The views expressed are entirely the writer’s own.
