Last Updated: Oct 9, 2023

Shiga’s Omihachiman

A Town on the Shores of Lake Biwa

Today, I’d like to introduce you to the former merchant town of Omihachiman. Found on the shores of Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture, this picturesque hamlet looks just as it would have 400 years ago. Back during the Warring States period (1467–1603), Omihachiman first developed as a township centered around Hachiman Castle. Once the country was unified in the early 1600s though, Omihachiman went on to be a bustling hub due it being located on an important interstice. This connected Omihachiman both with the Sea of Japan via Lake Biwa as well as other parts of the country (like the commercial city of Osaka) via the Nakasendo trade route and thus established the merchant town as a famous center of commerce.

Thanks to much of the infrastructure being preserved, visitors to Omihachiman today can experience what life would have been like centuries ago. A number of the old buildings in this merchant town exist exactly as they did during Japan’s Edo period (1603–1868). As I’ll explain later in this piece, the best way to take in the local vibe is by a boat ride through Omihachiman’s waterways and canals. Especially during mid March when the cherry blossoms are out, this spectacle will leave you breathless. In addition to its long history though, Omihachiman also boasts…