Summer at Omihachiman Canal

Explore a beautiful, historic area of Omihachiman

Cathy Cawood Sep 23, 2014 - 1 min read

<p>Take a ride on one of the tourist boats</p>

<p>One of many bridges over the canal</p>

<p>There are some beautiful traditional buildings on the canal banks</p>

<p>Information related to the canal area</p>

<p>Can you see the electric fan? It gets hot on the second floor!</p>

<p>He is holding up a bag of puffed rice. I bought some and it was delicious!</p>

<p>Omihachiman's manhole cover shows the canal flowing under cherry blossoms</p>

Omihachiman is a great place for a day trip from Kyoto. Take the bus, walk or hire a bike and cycle from Omihachiman JR Station to the beautiful canal area. This canal was once a castle moat, and it connects with Lake Biwa, making it an ideal place for merchants to set up shop because the could use the canal and lake to transport their goods. Today the merchants are gone, but there are paths beside the canal, tourist boats to ride in, and there is a Kawara Museum (Japanese roof tiles including the gorgeously ornate end tiles one sees decorating temples and shrines.) And when you are ready for refreshments, there are two of the best cafes I've ever been to!

Cathy Cawood @cathy.cawood

I came to Japan in 2003 to teach English. I lived in Shiga prefecture for 1 year, and it still holds a special place in my heart. I lived in Kyoto for 9 years, then moved to Machida, Tokyo in 2014 after meeting my Japanese partner. I love to take photos, and my Japan in Pictures Facebook page ha...