Autumn color on the Mount Ibuki Driveway in Maibara, Shiga, Japan

© The Asahi Shimbun/Getty Images

Autumn color on the Mount Ibuki Driveway in Maibara, Shiga, Japan

The meandering Mount Ibuki Driveway in Japan’s Shiga Prefecture has some tight curves to be sure, but motorists who complete the route will arrive near the top of Mount Ibuki, the tallest peak in the area. From the parking lot, the summit is just a 10-minute walk (much to the chagrin of climbers who make a carless ascent). This time of year, visitors at the top are treated to fall colours in addition to views of Lake Biwa, the largest freshwater lake in Japan.