Omihachiman, Heritage merchant town in Shiga Prefecture, Japan
Description
Omihachiman is a city in Shiga Prefecture that stretches from the eastern shore of Lake Biwa to the foothills of the Suzuka Mountains. The old town preserves a canal district with whitewashed 17th-century warehouses and narrow lanes lined by tall stone walls.
History
The settlement began as a post station on the Tosando road linking Tokyo and Kyoto. During the Edo period a local merchant founded a trading house here that specialized in textiles and medicines, opening branches in other cities.
Culture
The town takes its name from Hachiman, a Shinto deity once worshipped as a patron by merchants. Today visitors ride through the narrow canals of the old merchant quarter on traditional flat boats, guided by oarsmen dressed in historical costume.
Practical
The JR Biwako Line and Ohmi Railway connect the town to Kyoto and Osaka, with trains running roughly every thirty minutes during the day. The canal district is easy to walk, and bicycles are available for rent at several points along the water.
Did you know?
The Sagicho Fire Festival in March features tall figures made of straw and paper that are paraded through the lanes before being ceremonially burned. A local brewery offers handcrafted sake made using a method originally developed by the merchant houses to stay preserved during long journeys.
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide. Discover all places nearby (Shiga Prefecture).
Azuchi Castle
4.9 km
Kannonji Castle
5.8 km
Chōmei-ji
4.9 km
Kannonshō-ji
6 km
Aga Shrine
7.7 km
Azuchi Castle Museum, the "House of Nobunaga"
5.1 km
Kuwanomi-dera
5.6 km
Kinshoku-ji
7.4 km
Kyōrin-bō
6.1 km
賀茂神社
2.9 km
Hachiman, Omihachiman
1.5 km
Hachimanyama Ropeway
1.9 km藤ヶ崎龍神社
5.3 km
Ōsasahara Shrine
6.5 km
Shiga Prefectural Azuchi Castle Archaeological Museum
5.1 km
Azuchi Castle Museum
3.6 km
Sōken-ji
4.9 km
Vories Memorial Hall
1.3 km
Jōsgon-in
3 km
Hakuunkan
1.4 km
Ishiba-ji
7.1 km
Former Nishikawa Residence
1.4 km
Okitsushima Shinto Shrine
8.9 km
Former Iba Residence
3.7 km
Ōshima-jinja, Okitsushima-jinja
5 km
Azuchi-Hyōtanyama Kofun
4.9 km
Andrews Memorial Hall
1.2 km
Former Hachiman Post Office
1.2 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes