Lake Biwa Canal Cruise Multilingual Audio Guide Monitor
Things to know
About the Activity
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.1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 40 minutes
Instant Confirmation
Mobile ticket
Availability and Prices
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Travel Date
//
Travelers
Inclusions & Exclusions
Multi language audio guide fee
Fees : anding and/or facility fees. Landing and facility fees
The Lake Biwa Canal Cruise Fare
Use of equipment : Other.
Transportation amenities : Private transportation. Private transportation
Expenses of a personal nature such as meals, beverages, souvenirs, etc.
More Activities in Otsu
Filter By Date
//
Sort By
Travel Itinerary
Locations in the itinerary
The Otsu Lock Gate is the facility which is used to adjust the difference of the water level between the Lake Biwa and the canal by opening and closing two water gates alternately. At the outset of the construction, the gate was wooden and opening and closing was controlled manually and required four people. Currently this gate is made of steel.
In 2021, renovation work for electrification completed and so manual opening and closing is not necessary anymore. However, for emergency operation, a handle for manual operation remains to this day.
The Otsu Lock Gate is one of the first full-fledged western style brick lock gate in Japan following the Ishii Lock Gate located on the Kitakami River in Miyagi prefecture. And this is also a valuable heritage of modernization.
In 2023, construction for automation of the lock gate completed.View Location
Above the end arches of each tunnel, you will see a stone tablet sign with calligraphy on it, which is called hengaku in Japanese. With the calligraphy on each having different meanings, these hengakus hold great historical significance as they were all inscribed by politicians who defined the Meiji period.View Location
In order to excavate a tunnel stretching 2,436 meters, which was Japan’s longest at the time, while teams bored from both sides of the mountain, a vertical shaft was drilled downwards from the top of the mountain, enabling simultaneous boring from the center of the mountain towards both sides from the bottom of this shaft. This “shaft method” of excavation, which sped up the process, was a first for Japan. Overcoming strenuous challenges such as hard rock and large volumes of groundwater inflow, this shaft of depth 47 meters and a ground level diameter of 5.5 meters was finally completed.
※Access to the surrounding area is usually prohibited, but the shaft can be seen from the street.View Location
Learning from the disastrous Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, an emergency closure gate was installed in 1999 in order to automatically shut off water flow in case of an embankment failure induced by a major earthquake. The bridge that lies past the emergency closure gate was the first bridge to be completed during the construction of the canal. The original construction of the base built of red brick and stone can still be seen today.View Location
Anshu Bridge spans the approach to Bishamon-do Temple. The bridge is a famous spot for cherry blossoms in the spring, together with canola blossoms carefully tended by local residents. Further downstream, the Anshojigawa River which was orignally here before the canal’s construction can be seen flowing under the canal, creating a characteristic dual level intersection of water flow.View Location
Former Imperial Palace Water Pump(Pass By)
17-5 Hinooka Ebisudanicho, Kyoto, JapanThe pump room for water supply to the former Imperial Palace
“Imperial Palace Water Works System” was used to supply water exclusively to the palace for fire prevention purposes. The pump room sent water to a reservoir atop the mountain behind the palace so that water could be sprayed down, if need be, onto the roof of the Hall for State Ceremonies, which was the tallest building in the Imperial Palace grounds. The pump room was designed by Tokuma Katayama, the architect who is known for designing Kyoto National Museum, and built by the Imperial Household Agency.View LocationMeeting and Pickup
Starting point
1
Downstream service【Miidera, Shiga ⇒ Keage, KyotoKyoto】
3rd available vessel: KEAGE Embarkation and DisembarkationView Location
2
Upstream service【Keage, Kyoto ⇒ Miidera, Shiga】
3rd available vessel : MIIDERA Embarkation and DisembarkationView Location
End point
1
Upstream service【Keage, Kyoto ⇒ Miidera, Shiga】
3rd available vessel : MIIDERA Embarkation and DisembarkationView Location
2
Downstream service【Miidera, Shiga ⇒ Keage, KyotoKyoto】
3rd available vessel: KEAGE Embarkation and DisembarkationView Location
Pickup details
Customers must make their own way to and meet at the start point- Travelers CANNOT choose a custom pickup or meeting location.
Additional Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Language And Guide
Audio Guide Available In
- Korean
- Mandarin
- English
Printed Guide Available In
- Mandarin
- English
Ticket Details
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- One per booking
Ticket Redemption
No redemption point. This is a direct entry ticketCancellation & Refunds
Cancellable up to 24 hours before the travel date (local supplier time) for a full refund. A 100% cancellation penalty applies for cancellations submitted less than 24 hours before the start time.- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Cancel at least 1 day before activity starts in Asia/Tokyo time to receive 100% refund.
Operated by JTB KYOTO OFFICECreated on 13 Oct 2024Created on 17 Apr 2025
Can we help?Can' t find the tours you want? Contact Travalour. We'll find them for you.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply