The Lake Biwa Canal (Biwa Sosui) was built in the late 19th century and brings water from Lake Biwa to Kyoto. The project was crucial for the modernisation of the city - water supply, transport and electricity generation.

Today, the canal is more of a quiet pedestrian zone that connects several important sites in the eastern part of the city, including Nanzen-ji.

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Why Biwa Canal is interesting

It's not one particular landmark, but several parts. In total, the canal is over 11 km long.

• The brick aqueduct at Nanzen-ji, which you can walk along for free (up to the pumping station)
• the historic Keage Incline railway for boats (the height difference between the canal and the centre of Kyoto is 36 metres)
• walking routes along the water
• spring sakura trees along the canal
• tourist boat cruises along the canal (summer only)

In spring, the Keage area is one of the most photogenic places in Kyoto.

Seasonal cruises along the Biwa Canal

Unlike the city's regular "boat cruises", Lake Biwa Canal cruises are not an everyday tourist attraction. These are limited seasonal cruises that take place mainly in spring during the sakura season.

The route usually runs between the Shiga/Otsu area (Lake Biwa) and Keage in eastern Kyoto, i.e. near Nanzen-ji Temple.

Which way does the cruise go?

• Open stretches of the canal lined with sakura trees
• historic parts of the original water system
• shorter tunnel passages (not a long underground ride)

The main experience is the tranquil atmosphere and views of flowering trees above the water, not the dramatic "underground" part.

The cruise through the entire section takes about 2 hours and costs from 14 000 jpy.

Is a reservation required?

Yes. Boat capacity is limited and dates during sakura season sell out quickly. Cruises are usually not available year-round.

We recommend booking more than 3 weeks in advance on the only official website: biwakososui.jp

Is the cruise worth it?

The cruise makes sense above all:

• during sakur
• if you are looking for a very unusual experience for Kyoto
• if you are interested in the technical history of the canal

In the off-season, most visitors tend to walk the canal as part of the route between Nanzen-ji, Keage Incline and the Philosopher's Path.

How to get there

The easiest access is from Keage station (metro - red line).

From there you can reach the aqueduct at Nanzen-ji and the Keage Incline in a few minutes.

For details on transport, see the chapter Transport in Kyoto.

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