Nishi-Azai: Maruko-bune Museum, Sugaura, Oku Biwako Parkway 丸子船・菅浦・奥琵琶湖パークウェイ・西浅井町

Home > SHIGA 滋賀県 > Nagahama 長浜市 > Nishi-Azai: Maruko-bune Museum, Sugaura, Oku Biwako Parkway 丸子船・菅浦・奥琵琶湖パークウェイ・西浅井町

Nishi-Azai: Maruko-bune Museum, Sugaura, Oku Biwako Parkway 丸子船・菅浦・奥琵琶湖パークウェイ・西浅井町

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Maruko-bune Museum (Maruko-bune no Yakata). The maruko-bune was commonly used to transport cargo over the lake from the Hokuriku region to the Kyoto-Osaka region during the 17th and 18th c. MAPThe museum is a short bicycle ride from Nagahara Station (JR Kosei Line). 滋賀県西浅井町大浦582 丸子船の館

Maruko-bune wooden boat which was a common sight on Lake Biwa in the old days before trains came to fore. Near this area was a major maruko-bune port called Oura.

Maruko-bune, a traditional wooden boat mainly for shipping cargo across Lake Biwa in the old days. This used maruko-bune was donated by a local resident. 丸子船

Black copper plates decorate the bow (ダテカスガイ). This checkered pattern was unique to Lake Biwa boats. The wood seams are stuffed with conifer fiber (槙縄) to repel water.

Maruko-bune's trademark is this half-round cedar or cypress log on both sides. おも木

The bow's tip is studded.

Maruko-bune were a vital transportation link between northern Japan and Kyoto/Osaka. Goods coming and going via the Sea of Japan also went over the lake.

Rudder hangs down from a torii-like brace (かさ木), also used as a mast rest when the mast is laid down. Most of the wood is Japanese conifer (槇の木).

The sail is made of thick cotton material, replacing the old straw mat that didn't last long.

Major parts of a maruko-bune. For details see my video here.

This maruko-bune is 17.2 meters long.

Top view of maruko-bune.

During the 17th and 18th-centuries, over 1,000 maruko-bune sailed on the lake. The busiest ports were Shiotsu in the north and Otsu. After railroads were built, maruko-bune dwindled. Today, there are no maruko-bune on Lake Biwa.

Maruko-bune transported rice, fish, kelp, and many other northern Japan goods bound for Kyoto/Osaka. From Kyoto, came cotton, confections, soy sauce, sake, kimono, textiles, tobacco, and more.

Maruko-bune exhibits.

Diorama of Oura Port. MAP

Top view with roof partially removed for viewing.

Maruko-bune crew.

Maruko-bune boat hands.

The boat's bottom is flat, suited for shallow waters. Also see Maruko-bune photos at the Lake Biwa Museum.

Adjacent museum called Oura Furusato Shiryokan. A museum of local artifacts and knicknacks.

Adjacent museum showing things from Oura.

Bicycling to Sugaura.

Sugaura is a small settlement in Nishi-Azai along the northern shore of Lake Biwa. It is a quiet and scenic area with a nice lakeshore road and trail almost to the tip of the peninsula. Akasaki Maruko-bune park赤崎丸子船

Some scenery from the road between Nagahara and Sugaura.

Sugaura is one of the best areas of northern Shiga and northern Lake Biwa. Quiet, clean, and scenic.

Large maruko-bune displayed outdoors, without a mast.

The wooden maruko-bune boat was a common sight on Lake Biwa before railroads were built. They were mainly used for shipping cargo between Kyoto and the northern region of Fukui, Kanazawa, etc.

Large wooden paddle of a maruko-bune boat. The boat also had a sail. The boat had a round log on both sides.

The big maruko-bune boat (17 meters long) was donated by a native of Nishi-Azai. It could hold 13 tons of cargo.

Lookout point, Chikubushima island in the distance

Chikubushima island in the distance

Sugaura as seen from Lake Biwa.

Sugaura as seen from Lake Biwa. The Oku Biwako Parkway Road can be seen going up the mountain.

The maruko-bune boat is a symbol of Nishi-Azai town which is now part of the city of Nagahama.

Going down to the lake shore of Sugaura.

Sugaura is a length-wise town hugging the shore of the lake.

Imazu Junior High School rowers on the shore of Sugaura. They row across the lake between Imazu and Nagahama every summer.

They row in a fixed-seat, wooden boat based on a traditional design circa 1917. Off Sugaura. Oku Biwako Parkway Road going up the mountain.

Entrance to Sugaura, a quaint lakeshore village on a peninsula. It is will be designated as an Important Cultural Landscape. A pleasant trail goes along the lakeshore trail.

Thatched-roof gate, called Shisokumon 四足門, on the west end used to monitor outsiders entering the village. Another one is at the east end. MAP

Suga Shrine, dedicated to Sugaura's patron god. The shrine also has a connection with Emperor Junnin (733-765). 淳仁天皇. 須賀神社須賀神社

Way to Suga Shrine. Emperor Junnin supposedly once lived in this area in secret.

Suga Shrine

Sugaura Local History Museum 菅浦郷土史料館. Contains historical documents related to the town. But it was closed when I went.

Thatched-roof gate, called Shisokumon 四足門, on the east end used to monitor outsiders entering the village.

Beyond the east end of Sugaura (beyond the east thatched-roof gate) is a scenic walking trail along the peninsula's shore.After you pass through the town, there is a hiking/bicycle trail along the peninsula.