[Special invitation for foreign tourists!] The Lake Biwa Canal Cruise Multilingual Audio Guide Monitor Boarding

• Table of Contents
• What is Lake Biwa Canal?
• What is The Lake Biwa Canal Cruise?
• [Special invitation for foreign tourists!] The Lake Biwa Canal Cruise Multilingual Audio Guide Monitor Boarding
• Embarkation and Disembarkation Locations & access 

What is Lake Biwa Canal?

The waterway was completed in 1890, five years after construction began, with the aim of restoring vitality to Kyoto, which had fallen into a deep recession following the relocation of the capital to Tokyo following the Meiji Restoration. It was intended for use in water transport, electricity generation, waterworks, and irrigation. The Lake Biwa Canal carries Lake Biwa’s abundantly flowing water to Kyoto. The canal consists mainly of three parts: the “First Canal” (20 km) that runs from Kannonji, Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture to Horizume-cho, Fushimi Ward, Kyoto City; the “Second Canal” (7.4km) that parallels the north of the First Canal all the way through a tunnel; and the “Branch Canal” (3.3km) that branches off from the Canal at a point near Keage (Sakyo Ward, Kyoto City) to Kita- Shirakawa. Completed in the Meiji Era (1868-1912), “Lake Biwa Canal” is a man-made canal that is still in use today.

The waterway was completed in 1890, five years after construction began, with the aim of restoring vitality to Kyoto, which had fallen into a deep recession following the relocation of the capital to Tokyo following the Meiji Restoration. It was intended for use in water transport, electricity generation, waterworks, and irrigation.

What is The Lake Biwa Canal Cruise?

"The Lake Biwa Canal Cruise" which allows you to enjoy the precious industrial heritage of the Lake Biwa Canal, operates between Lake Biwa's Otsu Port and Keage in Kyoto. The boat operates only in the spring, when you can see rows of cherry blossom trees and fresh green maples along the picturesque waterway, and in the fall, when the contrast between the historical buildings and the autumn leaves is striking, and is popular for its historical and natural surroundings.

The Lake Biwa Canal Cruise, which has been revived after about 70 years, passes through a tunnel that continues to tell the story of historical achievements, and from the boat you can enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Lake Biwa Canal, colored by cherry blossoms, fresh greenery, and autumn leaves.

[Special invitation for foreign tourists!] The Lake Biwa Canal Cruise Multilingual Audio Guide Monitor Boarding

Event details

In order to improve the service of The Lake Biwa Canal Cruise, we are looking for monitor passengers to board using a multilingual audio guide. The audio guide will guide you through the history and highlights of the Lake Biwa Canal. Please join us for a special cruise at a special price!

■ Dates: Thursday, November 7 2024
               Friday, November 8 2024
               Monday, November 11 2024
               Thursday, November 14 2024
               Friday, November 15 2024
               Monday, November 18 2024

■ Price:
     3,960 yen per person [Regular price 9,000 yen]

■ Implemented flights:
    the 3rd vessel going downstream
    the 5th vessel going upstream

■ Meeting and leaving times: 
   the 3rd vessel going downstream [Shiga Miidera ⇒ Kyoto Keage] :　Assembly at 9:15, Dismissal at11:05
   the 5th vessel going upstream [Kyoto Keage ⇒ Shiga Miidera] :　Assembly at 14:40, Dismissal at 16:00

■ Meeting place:
    the 3rd vessel going downstream: MIIDERA Embarkation and Disembarkation
    the 5th vessel going upstream: KEAGE Embarkation and Disembarkation

*This is a monitor cruise for foreign tourists, so please refrain from applying if your native language is Japanese or if you reside in Japan.

Event application

Advance reservations are required to participate in the cruise. Reservations can be made via the link below.

The Lake Biwa Canal Cruise Multilingual Audio Guide Monitor Boarding

Embarkation and Disembarkation Locations & access 

Miidera Boat Terminal

It is about a 4-minute walk from Miidera Station on the Keihan Railway.

① Take a left along the canal. * Opposite direction to Lake Biwa. ② Go straight until the next traffic light. (Kitaguni Bridge Intersection) ③ Take a right at the Kitaguni Bridge Intersection . ④ Entrance will be just near by.

Keage Boat Terminal

It is about a 5-minute walk from Exit 1 of Keage Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway the Tozai Line.

① Exit from Exit No. 1 and take a left. ② Take the stairs by the Shrine gate (Himukai Daijingu). ③ Take a right in front of the bridge (Daijingu Bridge). ④ Go straight for a while… ⑤ then the entrance gate will be on your left.

* The gate opens 15 minutes before the meeting time. Please be careful.

Please see below for access details.

Access to the boarding and disembarking area