The Legacy of Kyoto and the Lake Biwa Canal

For over a thousand years, Kyoto stood as the imperial capital of Japan, a city rich in culture and history. However, the Meiji Restoration brought about a dramatic transformation, as the feudal shogunates were dismantled and a modern nation-state emerged. In 1868, the capital was relocated to Tokyo, leading to a period of decline for Kyoto.

In a bid to revitalize the city, the governor of Kyoto Prefecture looked towards the expansive Lake Biwa, situated to the east. His ambitious vision involved constructing a canal that would stretch approximately eight miles into the heart of Kyoto. This canal would not only irrigate fertile lands for agriculture but also generate hydroelectric power for burgeoning industries and enhance the transportation of goods and people.

The first section of the canal was completed in 1890, and as highlighted in the exhibits at the Lake Biwa Canal Museum, this development played a crucial role in pulling a struggling Kyoto back from the brink of economic despair. It’s fascinating to think that the governor, Kunimichi Kitagaki, likely never anticipated that 134 years later, his sepia-toned portrait would still be telling this story to visitors aboard a scenic cruise through one of the canal’s longest tunnels.

As tourists glide through the tunnel in glass-topped boats, they are greeted by a projection of Kitagaki, who recounts in Japanese the arduous process undertaken by workers who drilled shafts into the mountains to facilitate the excavation of multiple sections simultaneously.

During our journey on the Okazaki Jikkokubune Boat Ride, which operates on a section of the Lake Biwa Canal system in the spring, our guide, Saki Tanaka, animatedly engaged us. “Three, two, one!” she exclaimed over the public address system, gesturing towards the low, arched ceiling above.

At that moment, a curtain of icy water cascaded down from one of the drilled shafts, drenching those of us seated in the front of our open-sided, 12-person boat.

• Historical Significance: The canal played a pivotal role in Kyoto’s recovery post-Meiji Restoration.
• Innovative Engineering: Workers devised techniques to excavate the canal efficiently.
• Modern Tourism: The canal now serves as a scenic route for boat tours, blending history with leisure.