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Hachiman-bori Canal

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Hachiman-bori Canal

It is a castle town that prospered as a commercial city in connection with the Omi merchants. Have fun with the charm from both land and water.

3.34 9

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Supervised by :  Omihachiman city

Omihachiman city is located in the Koto area on the eastern shore of Lake Biwa in the central Shiga Prefecture. It is a scenic castle town where the blessings of Kokoku (Lake Country) and old and new Western and Japanese culture are alive. The city has a long history,and about 430 years ago, Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s nephew Hidetsugu built Hachimanyama Castle in conjunction with reconstruction of Koto after the death of Oda Nobunaga and was prospered as a commercial city by the Omi merchants who gathered around the castle town. On the southeastern shore of Lake Biwa in the northeastern part of the city, a Suigo/river district designated as the nation’s first important cultural landscape spreads over.

In a corner there, it is Hachiman-bori Canal, a canal that flows around Mt. Hachiman and flows into Lake Biwa. It was excavated by Hidetsugu as a moat of Hachimanyama Castle and was also called Hachiman-ura then, they say, because the barges that came and went Lake Biwa called a port there. The scenery with the white-walled Dozo (storehouse) standing side by side and the calm water surface is full of historical atmosphere and is also a location for historical drama(s).

It is recommended to have a tour by a houseboat around Hachiman-bori and enjoy the relaxing time while taking a long look at the beautiful scenery. You might make a trip as well around Suigo/riverside district that is slowly going through the large and small various waterways surrounded by thickly growing Reed by a rowing boat, which is called the slowest vehicle in Japan. Listen to the boatman’s tone in a flowing style and the sound of oars and let’s enjoy the sparkling water surface and the breeze.

Moreover, the castle towns around Hachiman-bori are full of attractions. While visiting many well-known architecture by William Merrell Vories who had a great love for this place, the tradesman’s houses related to Omi merchants, and the old streets that maintain the atmosphere of old times, you would like to have a leisurely stroll without hasting ahead.

Highlights

  • A land related to Omi merchants and prospered for 430 years.
  • On-the-water trip on the moat and Suigo/riverside district, swayed by a small boat.
  • A leisurely stroll around the castle town that is full of attractions.

Photos

  • On-the-water trip by a small boat on Hachiman-bori Canal where has a wonderful scenery of four seasons.

    On-the-water trip by a small boat on Hachiman-bori Canal where has a wonderful scenery of four seasons.

  • On-the-water trip by a small boat on Hachiman-bori Canal where has a wonderful scenery of four seasons.

    On-the-water trip by a small boat on Hachiman-bori Canal where has a wonderful scenery of four seasons.

  • The Shinmachi Dori streets where strongly left the taste of castle town.

    The Shinmachi Dori streets where strongly left the taste of castle town.

Reviews

9

Some reviews are AI-translated.

  • Linda Liao
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    When it comes to Omihachiman in Shiga Prefecture, you definitely can't miss Hachiman-bori Canal, with its Edo-period atmosphere. This waterway was once an important transportation route for the castle town below Mount Hachiman and was closely connected to the development of the Omi merchants. Today, white-walled storehouses, old machiya townhouses, and stone-paved paths still remain along the canal, and walking through the area feels like stepping into a time tunnel.

    Spring is an especially good time to visit. When the cherry blossoms bloom in April, the soft pink flowers stretch along the canal banks. Together with the gently flowing water, small bridges, and historic buildings, the scenery looks picturesque from every angle. It isn't as crowded as the more popular cherry blossom viewing spots, so it's very pleasant to take a leisurely walk and take pictures. If you have time, you can also take a boat ride and admire Hachiman-bori from the water, experiencing the history and scenery of this small town from a different perspective.

  • Queenie
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    Hachiman-bori really has the feel of an old Japanese street. Walking along the canal, you’ll see Edo-period buildings preserved on both sides, and every photo comes out with a great atmosphere.

    Taking a small boat for a slow ride down the canal lets you feel even more of the former prosperity of the Omi merchants. It’s a soothing spot where you can slow down and really take everything in.

  • 王小鈞
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    This time I visited Hachiman-bori Canal and finally got to check off the boat ride I'd been wanting to try!
    I thought it would be a wide canal, but the waterway was much smaller than I expected. The boat moved along slowly—so slowly it felt like time itself had slowed down too. The water wasn't as clear as I had imagined, but the row of white-walled warehouses and the charming old streetscape along the banks still made it feel like I'd slipped back into the Edo period. The nostalgic atmosphere had so much character. Along the way, the boatman also shared some local history, which added a nice storytelling element to the ride. It's not the kind of attraction that will leave you constantly amazed, but relaxing on the boat while taking in the scenery of Hachiman-bori and experiencing the history and culture of the Omi merchants still made it a travel memory worth keeping.

  • 劉方怡
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    It's a quiet countryside area with not many people around. You can check out some old houses left behind by wealthy families who made their fortunes here.

  • Vincent Chan
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    Charming little bridges and flowing water—it's the perfect spot to relax and enjoy some peaceful downtime.

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Details

Name in Japanese
八幡堀
Postal Code
523-0828
Address
Miyauchicho, Omihachiman City, Shiga
Tel
0748-32-7003 (Omihachiman Tourism and Products Association)
Access
From Omihachiman Station of the JR Biwako Line, take the Omi Railway Bus Chomeiji Line for about 7 minutes, get off at Osugicho or Hachimanyama Ropeway, and a short walk.
Official Website
Official Website (Japanese)
Hokkaido Tohoku Kanto Chubu Hokuriku Kansai Chugoku Shikoku Kyushu Okinawa