Omihachiman, Shiga

Omi-Hachiman, Shiga (近江八幡市; Omi-Hachiman-shi)
Sagicho Festival. More Omi-Hachiman photos here.
Location	Shiga Prefecture, Kinki region, Honshu island, JAPAN
Population	82,355 (1,204 foreigners) (2014-06-01)
Area	177.39 km²
City Centers	Hachiman-bori, Azuchi
Major Sights	Hachiman-bori, Shin-machi, Hachiman-yama, Azuchi Castle, Chomeiji, Vories buildings, Okinoshima
Major Gateways	JR Tokaido Main Line Omi-Hachiman Station
Train Stations	JR Tokaido Main Line Omi-Hachiman Station, Azuchi Station, Shinohara Station; Ohmi Railways Omi-Hachiman Station, Musa Station
Claim to Fame	Many buildings designed by William Vories, Azuchi Castle site
Products	enter
Neighbors	Higashiomi, Yasu, Ryuo-cho
Old Name(s)	enter
Keywords	Hachiman-bori canal, Omi shonin merchants, Vories, Azuchi, Nobunaga
Historical Persons	Toyotomi Hidetsugu
Links	Omi-Hachiman Articles | Omi-Hachiman Photos
Omi-Hachiman Tourist Information
Location	〒523-0864 滋賀県近江八幡市為心町元9 (白雲館内) Omi-Hachiman Station, North exit
Phone	Station: (0748) 33-6061, Hakuunkan:（0748）32-6181
Tourist Links	Tourism Ass.
Int'l Association	Web site Tel: 0748-26-7092
Volunteer Guides	Web page Tel: 0748-33-6061
Omi-Hachiman City Hall 近江八幡市役所
Address	〒523-8501 近江八幡市桜宮町236 Sakuramiya-cho 236, Omi-Hachiman-shi, Shiga 523-8501 JAPAN
Phone/Fax	0748-33-3111
Official Site	Japanese |
Symbols	Flower:	Scarlet sage サルビア
	Tree:	Azalea and cherry blossom
	Bird:	None
	Others:	Suigo boats
	Logo:
Sister Cities	Grand Rapids, Michigan; Leavenworth, Kansas; Miryang, Kyongnam, South Korea; Fujinomiya, Shizuoka; Matsumae-cho, Hokkaido

This page is 75% complete. Last updated: Oct. 11, 2015

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. On March 21, 2010, the city merged with the neighboring town of Azuchi which was reluctant to merge and lose its municipal and historic name.

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. Another major attraction is the Azuchi Castle site, in the former Azuchi town.

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 featuring giant torches set afire, and Shinoda Hanabi Fireworks in May.

Sights

Shinmachi-dori	Hachiman-bori Canal	Sagicho Matsuri
Hachiman-yama	Chomeiji	Vories

• 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. Map

• 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. 8-min. bus ride from JR Omi-Hachiman Station’s north exit. Go to bus stop 6 and board the bus going to Chomeiji. You can get off at Shinmachi (新町) or Osugicho (大杉町). Map

• Himure Hachimangu Shrine 日牟禮八幡宮 - Omi-Hachiman's most prominent shrine is dedicated to a god of war. You can't miss it along Hachiman-bori moat. It holds the Sagicho Matsuri in March and Hachiman Matsuri torch festival in April. Map

• Mt. 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. Map

• William Merrell Vories buildings - William Merrell Vories (1880-1964) is one of the most famous historical figures in Shiga. His legacy remains in physical form in many places through former bank buildings, post office branches, schools, and Christian churches. Vories moved from Kansas to Omi-Hachiman in 1905 to work as an English teacher while engaging in Christian missionary activities. He always had an interest in architecture and never had formal training as an architect, but he studied on his own and opened his own architectural firm in Omi-Hachiman in 1908. He and his firm went on to design numerous buildings in Shiga and other places in Japan. Omi-Hachiman still has a number of Vories buildings intact, including his former residence which you can visit. Other buildings can be admired from the outside only. Map

• 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. Map

• 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. Map

• 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. Map

Azuchi area

Azuchi Castle	Azuchi Nobunaga Matsuri	Azuchi Castle Museum

• Azuchi Castle 安土城跡 - Built in 1579 by Oda Nobunaga, Azuchi Castle was unique for its octagonal castle tower. It was attacked and destroyed only 3 years later. The castle ruins are on a hill in Azuchi-cho. Lots of stone work remains. Many stone steps to the top. Map

• Bungei no Sato 文芸の里 - A cultural facility and park area including House of Nobunaga and Shiga Prefectural Azuchi Castle Archaelogical Museum. Map

• House of Nobunaga 信長の館 (Nobunaga no Yakata) - A museum housing a magnificent replica of the top two floors of the Azuchi Castle's main tower. This replica was displayed in the Japan Pavilion at the Seville Expo '92 in Spain. Map

• Shiga Prefectural Azuchi Castle Archaelogical Museum 安土城考古博物館 (Azuchi-jo Koko Hakubutsukan) - Large facility preserving and showing the archaelogical remains of ancient times and from nearby Azuchi Castle. Map

• Azuchi Castle Museum 城郭資料館 (Azuchi Jokaku Shiryokan) - Castle museum next to Azuchi Station. The main exhibit is a 1/20 scale model (and cross section) of Azuchi Castle tower. Small admission charged. Open 9:00-17:00, closed Mon. and the day after a national holiday. Map

• Kannonji Castle ruins 観音寺城跡 - Atop Mt. Kinugasa 繖山 (also called Kannonji-yama) stood this medieval castle occupied by Sasaki Rokkaku. Many ruins and artifacts have been found. The elevation is 432 meters, a much higher climb than Azuchi Castle. Map

• Kyorinbo Garden 教林坊 - Japanese garden designed by Kobori Enshu. Part of Kannon Shoji temple at the foot of Mt. Kinugasa. Map

• Kannon Shoji temple 観音正寺 - Atop Mt. Kinugasa near the Kannonji Castle ruins, this is the 32nd temple of the Saigoku (Western Japan) Pilgrimage circuit of 33 temples. According to legend, Prince Shotoku received help from a mermaid to build this temple. Unfortunately the temple caught fire in 1993 and and the important Kannon wooden statue was destroyed. The temple was rebuilt in 2004, and a new Kannon statue was made.

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. Map

• April 14-15 - Hachiman Matsuri 八幡まつり- Held annually at Himure Hachimangu Shrine, the Hachiman Matsuri is Shiga's biggest fire festival. Giant torches made of straw as tall as 10 meters are set on fire starting from 8 pm on the 14th. On the 15th, taiko drum processions appear. The festival is prayer for an abundant harvest. Map

• May 4 - Shinoda Shrine Hanabi fireworks 篠田の花火 - 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. Map

• Early June - Azuchi Nobunaga Festival is held in early June as a festival honoring Oda Nobunaga who built Azuchi Castle. Various events and activities highlighted by the Musha Gyoretsu warrior procession and a demonstration of firing matchlock guns. The boat ride along the moat is also enjoyable. Map

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 or Azuchi Station. Note that the kaisoku (or shin-kaisoku) express trains do not stop at Azuchi Station. You must take a local kaku-eki train.

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.
• Azuchi Station (安土駅) - The kaisoku (or shin-kaisoku) express trains do not stop at Azuchi Station. You must take a local kaku-eki train to Azuchi Station. Bicycle rental available near 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

Click on upper right icon to enlarge.

• Sightseeing Map of Omi-Hachiman (in Japanese)

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

• 1579 - Azuchi Castle is completed by Oda Nobunaga after three years of construction.
• 1582 - Azuchi Castle is attacked by the forces of Akechi Mitsuhide. The castle is burnt to the ground.
• 1914 - Azuchi Station opens for trains.
• 1954 - The towns of Oiso and Azuchi merge to form Azuchi-cho town.
• 1993 - A fire destroys Kannonsho-ji Temple's main hall and a Kannon statue.
• 2004 - Kannonsho-ji Temple's main hall is rebuilt and completed.
• 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.
• 2010 On March 21, Omi-Hachiman and Azuchi town merge. A mayoral election for the new city is held in the following month.

Miscellaneous

Recent Omi-Hachiman News and Weather

The latest five headlines for Omi-Hachiman from Shiga News are displayed below. Click to view the latest stories.

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A prize catch for travel merchants - Omi merchants, The Japan Times, June 24, 2005

More Omi-Hachiman News here.

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."
• The town of Azuchi since 1986 has been trying to find a folding screen with a painting of Azuchi Castle supposedly sent by Oda Nobunaga to Pope Gregorio XIII at the Vatican. In Nov. 2005, the town mayor was able to meet the Pope at the Vatican while showing what the folding screen might look like. The folding screen is yet to be found. The magnificent Azuchi Castle existed for only three years before it was burned to the ground. Since few records remain of the castle, the folding screen would shed much light on what the castle looked like.
• Next to Azuchi Station on the south side is a sumo ring. Nobunaga held a sumo match in the area and thus helped to develop sumo.

Famous People

Toyotomi Hidetsugu 豊臣秀次（1568-1595)

Warlord who built Hachiman Castle.

Oda Nobunaga 織田 信長 (1534-1582)

Native of Owari (now Aichi Prefecture), major warlord who sought to conquer and unify Japan. He needed to control Shiga since it was next to Kyoto and a major crossroad. He built a magnificent castle in Azuchi, and also torched many Buddhist temples such as Enryakuji in 1571 whose warring monks might have opposed him. The Azuchi-Momoyama Period of Japanese history is partially named after the castle in Azuchi. Assassinated in Kyoto by Akechi Mitsuhide.

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
• History of Shiga Prefecture
• Shiga Prefecture Transportation

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