 Japan City Guides: Omi Hachiman
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Omi Hachiman
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- A well-preserved canal town on the Tokaido route.
- Close to Japan's largest lake.
- Many interesting museums.
- Population around 50,000.
- An easy day trip from Kyoto.
Sightseeing: Things to see and do
 Omi Hachiman is a small castle town in Shiga Prefecture located along the ancient highway that ran from Tokyo to Kyoto. It was built in 1585 close to the eastern end of Lake Biwa, which is the largest lake in Japan.
Prior to the invention of the train and automobile, it was a hub for canal transportation, delivering goods and people to nearby Kyoto. Omi Hachiman developed into a commercial town following the construction of a castle by Toyotomi Hidetsugu in the 16th century.
The town was divided until the mid-nineteenth century by Hachiman-bori (pictured below right). North of this canal lived samurai, south the common people. Other areas were reserved, for example, for merchants.
Today Shin-machi Dori Street is the area where the former merchants lived. In particular, the grand home of the Nishikawas, a local family, is now open to the public. The Kyodo Shiryo-kan, a local history museum, is nearby. Next door is the History and Folklore Museum. 
On Hachiman-bori are white-walled storehouses and 19th-century houses such as Haku-un-kan (pictured top right), which was designed by William Vories, an American missionary and architect who left a legacy of elegant homes and buildings in Kyoto and its surroundings. The Haku-un-kan is located directly in front of the canal, which if crossed will take you to several shrines and the ropeway.
Another place of interest is the Kawara Museum, or Tile Museum, that features tiles from all parts of Japan. For a more complete list, please see below.
Today, the towns old quarter near the canal is a well-preserved area that is well suited for tourism. It is also frequently used as a film location for period dramas.
Haku-un-kan
Tel: 0748-32-6181
Open: 9 am 5:00
Adults: 500 yen 
Kyodo Shiryokan
Tel: 0748-32-7048
Open: 9 am 4:30
Adults: 500 yen
Kawara Museum
Tel: 0748-33-8567
Open: 9 am 4:30
Adults: 300 yen
William Vories Museum
Tel: 0748-32-2456
Open: 9 am 4:30
Adults: Free Admission
Hachiman-zan Ropeway
Tel: 0748-32-0303
Open: 9 am 5:00
Adults: 700 yen roundtrip
Himure-hachimangu Shrine
Tel: 0748-32-3151
Next to the ropeway
Getting There
From Kyoto Station, JR's Shin Kaisoku express train takes 33 minutes to Omi Hachiman Station. One-way fare is 650 yen.
From Tokyo, it takes 2 hours 20 minutes to Maibara Station by JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line. From there, it is 22 minutes from Maibara Station to Omi Hachiman Station by JR Tokaido Honsen Line. From Omi Hachiman Station, you can take a bus--a 10-minute ride but with infrequent service--into the old section of town, a cab if you are in a group, or walk the two miles or so. Maps are available at the Station.
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