Omihachiman, Shiga

From PHOTOGUIDE.JP

This page is 70% complete. Last updated: July 21, 2009

by Philbert Ono

Omi-Hachiman (近江八幡市; Omi-Hachiman-shi) is a city in Shiga Prefecture on the east shore of Lake Biwa.

A former castle town and merchant town with many remnants of its historical past, especially at Hachiman-bori canal at the foot of Mt. Hachiman-yama where the castle, built by Hideyoshi's nephew Hidetsugu, once stood. Locals just call the city "Hachiman" for short.

Omi-Hachiman is also a lake city fronting Lake Biwa as well as Lake Nishinoko where Suigo boat rides are a major attraction. In fact, this Suigo area of waterways and tall reeds has the distinction of being Japan's first "Important Cultural Scenery" (重要文化的景観). With all these attractions, Omi-Hachiman is quite tourist-oriented with tourist info offices in the train station and Hachiman-bori, as well as signs in English explaining the various sights.

The Sagicho Matsuri festival held in mid-March is also one of Shiga's most famous festivals climaxing in the burning of floats. At least two other festivals also feature fire: The Hachiman Matsuri in April and Shinoda Hanabi Fireworks in May.

Omi-Hachiman will also be merging with the neighboring township of Azuchi on March 21, 2010.

Sights

Shinmachi-dori	Hachiman-bori Canal	Sagicho Matsuri

• Shin-machi-dori - Traditional-looking street where you can enter magnificent Omi merchant homes like the former Nishikawa Residence and Ban family residence. The local history museum is also housed in the former residence of another Omi merchant, Nishimura Tarouemon. Near Shin-machi bus stop and Hachiman-bori.
• Hachiman-bori 八幡堀 - As a part of Hachiman Castle, the Hachiman-bori moat enabled boats to reach the castle from Lake Biwa. It is famous for cherry blossoms in spring. A small but controversial foot bridge supported by wooden boats crosses the canal near the Kawara Roof Tile Museum. Hakuunkan, an eye-catching Western-style building, is also near the canal. Find a tourist info counter and souvenir shop inside. It was originally built as a school in 1877. Beautifully preserved. If you like Japanese confections, rest at Taneya confection shop.
• Hachiman-yama 八幡山 - At 271 meters high, this mountaintop was the site of Hachiman Castle built by Toyotomi Hidetsugu in 1585. Now home to Zuiryuji temple of the Nichiren Sect, some of the castle's stone walls still remain. Great views of Lake Biwa and Omi-Hachiman, as well as fall colors. Easily accessible via ropeway near Hachiman-bori canal.
• Suigo Boat Ride 水郷めぐり - The Suigo boat ride in waterways connected to Lake Biwa and Lake Nishinoko is a major tourist attraction in Omi-Hachiman. Both hand-paddled boats and motorized boats provide rides, depending on which boat company you select. But the more traditional and quieter hand-paddled boats (like at Maruyama) are much more enjoyable we think.
• Chomeiji 長命寺 - The 31st temple on the Saigoku (Western Japan) Pilgrimage circuit, Chomeiji (Long Life Temple) worships the Kannon goddess dedicated to long life and good health. If you don't have a car, you will have to climb a lot of stone steps. Accessible by bus from Omi-Hachiman Station and Hachiman-bori.
• Okinoshima island 沖島 - Lake Biwa's largest island is inhabited by over 400 residents, mainly into fishing. It is a short boat ride away from Omi-Hachiman's Horikiri port.

Event Calendar

• Mid-March weekend - Sagicho Matsuri 左義長まつり - Held during the weekend in mid-March, the Sagicho Matsuri is a dramatic parade and clashing of 13 or 14 colorful Sagicho floats carried around the streets and in Himure Hachimangu Shrine near Hachiman-bori Canal. On the first day (Sat.), the floats are paraded along the streets near the shrine and undergo judging for best design. The floats are works of art and made of edible materials mounted on a straw and wood base. On the second day (Sun.), the Sagicho floats collide with each other and try to topple each other. At night, the floats are set afire. Sagicho is actually a fire festival.
• April 14-15 - Hachiman Matsuri - Torch festival.
• May 4 - Shinoda Shrine Hanabi fireworks - Very dramatic display of both aerial and ground fireworks as part of the shrine's religious ceremony. Torch fireworks, Niagara Falls, and panel-type fireworks provide an explosive experience. Good for people who cannot wait till summer to see fireworks in Japan. Walk from Omi-Hachiman Station. Intangible Folk Cultural Property.

Travel Tips

• Omi-Hachiman Station has a tourist info office as well as inside Hakuunkan at Hachiman-bori. Many shops, restaurants, and movie theaters are also around the station.
• The Hachiman-bori area is the main tourist area where you can easily walk to Shinmachi-dori to see the Omi merchant homes, take the ropeway up Mt. Hachiman-yama, walk around the canal, and enter museums and buildings. From Omi-Hachiman Station, take the bus and get off at Shinmachi. See the merchant homes, then walk to the canal area.
• Everything in the Hachiman-bori area closes at around 5 pm or 6 pm. If you need to eat, best to go back to Omi-Hachiman Station.

Getting There

Get on the JR Tokaido/Biwako Line and get off at Omi-Hachiman Station.

From Tokyo, 2.5 hours to Maibara Station via Tokaido shinkansen bullet train, 20 min. from Maibara to Omi-Hachiman Station. From Kyoto, 31 min. to Omi-Hachiman Station via JR Tokaido/Biwako Line.

Getting Around

From Omi-Hachiman Station, local buses run to all the major places of interest. Buses also go to neighboring Ryuo-cho. Rental bicycles are also available at the station. Train stations within the city are as follows:

JR Tokaido Main Line

• Omi-Hachiman Station (近江八幡駅) - Visit Hachiman-bori moat which is the historical part of town, and buildings by the American architect Vories. Bicycle rental at the station.
• Shinohara Station (篠原駅) - Bicycle rental at recreational grounds Imose no Sato (雪野山史跡広場妹背の里) (0748-57-1819) until 5 pm.

Ohmi Railways Yokaichi Line (八日市線)

• Omi-Hachiman Station (近江八幡駅)
• Musa Station (武佐駅) - Former stage town on the Nakasendo Road. A few signs indicate where the Honjin and other buildings were, but none can be entered.

Maps

Unless noted otherwise, all maps are in Japanese.

• Google Map of Omi-Hachiman
• Sightseeing Map of Omi-Hachiman

Photos

Sagicho Festival	Shinoda Shrine fireworks

More photos at Omi-Hachiman Photos. More Shiga photos here.

Videos

Click on the video image to start playing the video.

More Shiga videos here.

Side Trips

Other sights in neighboring cities/towns within easy reach from Omi-Hachiman.

• Azuchi-cho - Location of Azuchi Castle ruins. Only one train stop from Omi-Hachiman Station.
• Ryuo-cho - By bus from Omi-Hachiman Station.
• HigashiOmi - Easy to reach via Ohmi Railways to Yokaichi.

History

• 1954 Omi-Hachiman established as a city.
• 2006 A small, but beloved and essential wooden bridge supported by two wooden boats over Hachiman-bori canal faces controversy as an illegal structure.

Miscellaneous

Recent News

• On Feb. 6, 2008, Omi-Hachiman mayor Fujitani Eisho was caught speeding by police while driving a car in Yasu. He was driving 23 kph over the speed limit. He paid a fine of 15,000 yen.
• Talks have been held for the possibility of merging Azuchi-cho and Ryuo-cho with Omi-Hachiman. However, the majority of people in these two towns are opposed to the merger. Omi-Hachiman is known to be in deep debt.

Trivia

• Many non-locals and tourists mispronounce Omi-Hachiman as "Omi-Yahata" or "Omi-Yawata" which are different ways of pronouncing the kanji characters.
• Local people in Shiga simply call it "Hachiman."

Famous People

Toyotomi Hidetsugu 豊臣秀次（1568-1595)

Warlord who built Hachiman Castle.

William Merrell Vories (1880-1964)

Native of Kansas who came to Omi-Hachiman in 1905 to teach English and do missionary work. Later he opened his own architectural firm and designed numerous Western-style buildings in Shiga, including Toyosato Primary School. Married a Japanese and became a naturalized Japanese citizen. His hometown of Leavenworth, Kansas and Omi-Hachiman are sister cities.

Related Articles

• Shiga Prefecture
• Shiga Prefecture Sights
• Shiga Prefecture Transportation

External Links

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Municipalities of Shiga Prefecture 滋賀県

Cities & Towns: Aisho-cho | Azuchi-cho | Higashi-Omi | Hikone | Hino-cho | Koka | Konan | Kora-cho | Kusatsu | Maibara | Moriyama | Nagahama | Omi-Hachiman | Otsu | Ritto | Ryuo-cho | Taga-cho | Takashima | Toyosato-cho | Yasu

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