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Birth and history of canal that sustained Kyoto

The Lake Biwa Canal carries water from Lake Biwa to Kyoto. It was one of the projects to modernize Kyoto proposed by Kitagaki Kunimichi, the governor of Kyoto Prefecture at the time, and was completed in 1890. Industry developed thanks to hydroelectric power generated using the canal's water, and the opening of waterway transport made transportation and distribution much more convenient. The Lake Biwa Canal Memorial Museum, built to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the completion of the First Canal, displays various materials to convey the great achievements of our predecessors to future generations. The first floor is themed on “Planning and Construction of the Lake Biwa Canal” and introduces the process of planning and construction of the canal. The museum exhibits drawings used in the canal construction plan and tools used in the construction. The basement displays exhibits on “The role played by Lake Biwa Canal” and “The implementation of Kyoto City's three major projects,” as well as a diorama of the Okazaki area.