The Lake Biwa Canals are artificial water channels built in the Meiji period to bring water from Lake Biwa to Kyoto. In 2020, on the anniversary of the 130th year since the construction was completed, the canal was designated as a Japan heritage.
The Lake Biwa Canals include the two canals and their branches, the First Canal runs from Kan-nonji in Otsu City to Horizume-cho in Kyoto Fushimi-ku, the Second Canal runs on the north side of the First Canal through a tunnel, and one of the branch canals extends for about 3.3 km from Keage to Kita-shirakawa.
The Lake Biwa Canal Cruise going down from Otsu to Keage is filled with many highlights, so you can enjoy watching many modern historical features during the cruise. For example, the Otsu Lock, a brick watergate controlling the water level, “Hengaku”, the stone tablet signs above the tunnel entrance, the emergency closure gate, which automatically closes to stop water flow when banks collapse caused by an earthquake, the Shinomiya-Funadamari-Moroha tunnel, built to load and unload cargo, the Anshu bridge, spanning the approach to Bishamondo temple, the 11th Bridge, the first reinforced concrete bridge in Japan, the pump room for water supply to the former Imperial Palace, and more.
On the Hengakus, original calligraphies were written by historically famous Japanese politicians, such as Hirobumi Ito, Aritomo Yamagata, and Kaoru Inoue, and you will fully enjoy the messages until the end of the cruise. In spring, cherry blossoms are in full bloom on both sides of the banks, and the Anshu bridge fascinates visitors with its famous canola flowers.
Highlights
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The artificial canal bringing the water from Lake Biwa to Kyoto city was designated as a Japan heritage.
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The cruise goes down from Otsu to Keage, and many modern heritages come up.
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Cherry blossoms are in full bloom on both sides of the banks in spring and the foliage is attractive in autumn.
