Home > SHIGA 滋賀県 > Otsu 大津市 > Lake Biwa Canal 琵琶湖疎水

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Water intake for Lake Biwa Canal No. 2. Near Mihogasaki in Otsu, and adjacent to the boat racing arena.
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Water intake for Lake Biwa Canal No. 2. The Lake Biwa Canal (Biwako Sosui) supplies water from Lake Biwa in Otsu to Kyoto. After four years of monumental construction, the canal was completed in 1890.
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Water intake for Lake Biwa Canal No. 2
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Water intake for Lake Biwa Canal No. 2
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Water intake for Lake Biwa Canal No. 2
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Water intake for Lake Biwa Canal No. 2. The canal is covered. The water supply for Kyoto and Osaka.
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Water intake for Lake Biwa Canal No. 2. This is the second, almost parallel canal constructed in 1912.
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Water intake for Lake Biwa Canal No. 1
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Water intake for Lake Biwa Canal No. 1 at Mihogasaki
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Water intake for Lake Biwa Canal No. 1. Kyoto was thereby revitalized with electric power and a stable water supply. A second, almost parallel canal for drinking water was also constructed in 1912.
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Lake Biwa Canal No. 1
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Lake Biwa Canal No. 1
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Lake Biwa Canal No. 1. The Lake Biwa Canal (Biwako Sosui) supplies water from Lake Biwa in Otsu to Kyoto. After four years of monumental construction, the canal was completed in 1890.
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Lake Biwa Canal on vintage postcard. Notice the boats in the canal. Boat rides were initially offered.
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Biwako Sosui. The city of Otsu is thinking about resurrecting a tourist boat service on this canal. MAP
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The Biwako Sosui or Lake Biwa Canal in Otsu is also noted for cherry blossoms.
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Lake Biwa Canal (Biwako Sosui) and cherry blossoms. This is one of two canals which supply water from Lake Biwa to Kyoto. National Historic Site
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Lake Biwa Canal and cherry blossoms in full bloom. They also light up the trees at night from 6:30 pm-9:30 pm. Beautiful and serene.
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Lake Biwa Canal and cherry blossoms.
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Lake Biwa Canal and cherry blossoms above the tunnel entrance.
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No. 1 Tunnel entrance. The first and longest tunnel under a mountain. The entrance is very artistic.
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No. 1 Tunnel entrance.
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The canal in Kyoto near Yamashina.
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No. 1 Tunnel exit
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Yamashina
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Yamashina map showing the exposed portion of the Lake Biwa Canal near JR Yamashina Station in Kyoto.
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Yamashina
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Lake Biwa Canal Museum in KyotoAt the end of the canal, there's this museum in Kyoto tracing the history of the canal.
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Pelton water wheel at Lake Biwa Canal MuseumUsed at the Keage Power Plant to generate electricity. The Keage Plant was Japan's first hydroelectric power plant.
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Lake Biwa Canal MuseumModel of Keage Incline.
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Bottom of Keage Incline in Kyoto
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Lake Biwa Canal Museum at bottom of Keage InclineThe museum opened in 1996.
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Map of canal route
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Bottom of Keage InclineThe Keage Incline was a dry slope which connected the upper part of the canal with the lower part of the canal. Since the canal was disconnected by this dry slope, boat trolleys on rails ferried boats between the upper and lower sections of the canal. It was in operation until 1948.
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Keage InclineThe Keage Incline was a dry slope which connected the upper part of the canal with the lower part of the canal. Since the canal was disconnected by this dry slope, boat trolleys on rails ferried boats between the upper and lower sections of the canal. It was in operation until 1948.
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Keage Incline boat trolleyThe Keage Incline was a dry slope which connected the upper part of the canal with the lower part of the canal. Since the canal was disconnected by this dry slope, boat trolleys on rails ferried boats between the upper and lower sections of the canal. It was in operation until 1948.
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Keage Incline boat trolley
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Keage Incline boat trolleyThe Keage Incline was once restored in 1977. However, the sample boats are in poor condition.
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Keage Incline
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Statue of Sakuro Tanabe, the canal engineerIn the park near top of Keage Incline. The canal is lined with various monuments and writings, especially on the canal tunnel entrances.
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Park near top of Keage Incline
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Keage Hydroelectric Power Plant pipes
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Top of Keage InclineThe boat would be loaded onto the trolley here, then taken down the incline. Or vice versa.
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Top of Keage InclineThe boat would be loaded onto the trolley here, then taken down the incline. Or vice versa.
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Keage Incline postcardThe Keage Incline was in operation until 1948.
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Keage Incline postcardThe Keage Incline was in operation until 1948.
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Keage today, incline is on the right of road
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