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Following the tracks of a historic civil engineering project, this museum provides a view of the future. |
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In the Meiji Period this district was the site for a huge civil engineering project centered around Nanzen-ji Temple: the construction of the Lake Biwa Canal, designed to bring water from Lake Biwa (Otsu City) to Kyoto (Horizume-cho in Fushimi-ku). In order to cope with the difference in the water levels, an inclined plane railway called the Canal Lift was constructed to carry the boats that used the canal up and down between the different levels. The hydroelectric power plant constructed to provide the electricity required for the railway was the first of its kind in Japan. In those days, drilling tunnels in the mountains for the canal was extremely difficult and challenging, but the citizens of Kyoto were intent on restoring the economy in Kyoto and through their efforts, the canal was at last completed to become the first modern civil engineering project of its kind in Japan. Since it was finished, it has supplied about two million tons of water to Kyoto every day, and it is still an essential source of water for the city. In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the completion of the Lake Biwa Canal, the Lake Biwa Canal Museum of Kyoto was opened in 1989 to preserve the tradition of the canal and ensure that it is passed on from generation to generation, providing a source for future development in Kyoto. The displays at the museum include diagrams, drawings and models of the canal works, the canal boats, and the electric power plant, all testaments to the difficulties encountered at the time. In addition, to celebrate its 20th anniversary, the museum was refurbished and a substantial number of new displays added. |
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| Lake Biwa Canal Museum of Kyoto |
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| Keage Canal Lift (inclined plane railroad) |
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| Lake Biwa Canal Museum of Kyoto |
| Entrance fee : |
Free |
| Museum hours : |
March 1 - November 30: 9 AM - 5 PM (last entrance, 4:30 PM)
December 1 - End of February: 9 AM - 4:30 PM (last entrance, 4 PM) |
| Days closed : |
Monday of every week
* When Monday is a national holiday, the facility is closed the next day; it is also closed at the end and beginning of the year (Dec. 28 - Jan. 3) |
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Restored model near Keage
(Lake Biwa Canal Museum of Kyoto) |
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A water wheel used in the Meiji Period to generate hydroelectric power (Lake Biwa Canal Museum of Kyoto) |
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Nanzen-ji Temple boat dock
(in front of the Lake Biwa Canal Museum of Kyoto) |
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