Visiting Omihachiman〜 A great place to live A great place to visit A great place to come back to 〜
Omihachiman visibly and tastefully intertwines a beautiful natural environment,
traditional culture and the lives of today s residents who inherited these blessings.

After unifying the nation by force, the great commander
Oda Nobunaga from Japanʼs years of civil war built
Azuchi Castle with pronounced beauty and splendor
in the thriving fiefdom of the Sasaki Rokkaku Clanthat ruled over Omi. The way Oda Nobunaga believedin himself and did what he intended resembles amagniﬁcent cherry tree in bloom.
Hachimanbori Matsuri

The savvy merchants of Hachiman set out forEdo (Tokyo), Osaka and ports overseas from theHachiman Moat. They built themselves a nameand reputation by placing the utmost importanceon trust and conducting business in ways that
beneﬁted society rather than exclusively thinking
about personal proﬁt.

Chomeiji Temple

After the death of Oda Nobunaga, Hidetsugu
Toyotomi, the nephew of the preeminent daimyo
Hideyoshi Toyotomi, built his mountain fortress ofHachiman Castle with the intention of developing
trade and business in the area. The moat he had built
served both as a defense and means of transportation.
It was a genius idea that went as smooth as water.
Mt. Hachiman in winterOmihachiman Doll Festival(Hinamatsuri Doll)

With its latticed windows, artistically pruned
pine trees peering from behind walls andcharacteristically Japanese architecture, thePreservation District of Omihachiman speaks oflife long ago. The teachings and love that theforefathers had for this land have been passed down
through the changes in landscape and population
like a thick layer of snowﬂakes on the ground.

Winter dusted with snowﬂakes

Autumn tinged in gracious beauty

Kuwanomidera Temple

Hachiman Moatin early summer

Summer and clear water

Foot of Mt. Azuchi

A land where Oda Nobunaga dreamed of unifying a nation anda commerce-oriented town was built by Hidetsugu Toyotomi

Spring under the cherry blossoms

Sagicho Matsuri

Stepping back into the ages ofthe Manyo Verses

A land where faith has not changed in centuries㉗Kuwanomidera Temple㉘Oshiojinja Shrine and Forest

The cry of the cuckoo recalls anight long ago in the Oiso Forest.
(Kiinokami Norimitsu/Tale of Heike)

Now that I m 40, just how long
will I be able to enjoy the snowof the Oiso Forest to the east?
This temple was built at the behest of theEmperor Tenji (626 ‒ 671) and is the 46th
sacred point of worship on the Saigokuyakushi
Pilgrimage. Its name roughly means “fruit of
the mulberry tree” and comes from recounts
that the ﬁrst monk, Jokei, who is accreditedwith starting silkworm breeding in Japan,
brought back mulberry seedlings from theTang Dynasty. The main hall and the scroll
painting depicting the templeʼs origin are
designated Important Cultural Properties.

The forest associated with this shrine has
appeared in literature since the Manyo
Verses and is designated a Historic Siteof Japan. Nestled amongst the woods, theshrine revers Mt. Kinugasa (Mt. Kannonji)
as a deity of safe childbirth, long life, andgood hunting and harvests.

(Mabuchi Kamo)

Tel 0748-46-2481

The cuckoo s call from the Oiso
Forest would be welcome thisnight as spring would be near.

㉙Kamojinja Shrine㉚Sasakijinja Shrine㉛13 Iwatoyama BuddhasThis shrine was built by the Emperor Shomuin 736 on the site of the ﬁrst-ever nationallymanaged pasture. For this reason, the site
has a special connection with horses. The
shrine is also associated with the 8th century
scholar and statesman Makibi Kibi and issaid to have miraculous powers for enabling
marriage, granting pregnancy and ensuring
safe childbirth. During the Kamo Matsuri inMay, horses race around the grounds as partof a ritual dating back more than 1,000 years.

This shrine originally worshipped the Shinto
deity of a powerful and inﬂuential family in the
Gamo area by the name of Sasakiyama, but
having lost their status over the years, the namewas rewritten with characters to reﬂect that in
the mid Heian Era. The main worship hall heads
a list of 8 structures designated Important
Cultural Properties of Shiga Prefecture. The
shrine is best remembered for the ﬂowers thatbloom at different times of the year and the
Sasaki Matsuri that is held in April.

These 13 Statues of Bhuddha were carved
into a large bolder on the southern side of Mt.
Mitsukuri at the behest of Prince Shotoku (572
‒ 622). The site is ﬂooded every April by thefaithful who are rewarded with a 1,000 daysof blessings for one day of pilgrimage in what
is known as a sennichikai. There is great
panoramic view from the summit.

Tel 0748-33-0123

Tel 0748-46-3564(Norinaga Motoori)

Admission Adults: ¥300, Children: ¥150
Hours 9:00〜17:00 (Until 16:30 between December
and February)
Tel 0748-46-2560 、0748-46-4025

Tel 0748-46-4234(Azuchi Station Tourist Information Center)

essayist who profoundly loved Omi and wrote about its beauty withMasako Shirasu（1910−1998）An
delicate sensibility
Masako Shirasu was the second daughter born to Aisuke Kabayama, an Advisor to the Emperor. She was the ﬁrst woman inhistory to perform Noh on stage and wrote extensively about Japanese culture, counting within her circle of intellects the top
art critics of her time, Hideo Kobayashi and Jiro Aoyama. Shirasu also traveled to many places on her own accord and, withher profound yet delicate sensibility, described the natural and cultural beauty she encountered in ways that still attract many
readers today.

㉜Chomeiji Temple㉝Kannonshoji Temple㉞Kannonji Castle Ruins㉟Kyorinbo Temple

This temple is the 31st sacred pointof worship on the Saigokuyakushi
Pilgrimage. According to temple
legend, this was the site where some,
1,800 years ago, Sukune Takeshiuchi,
a grand minister under the Emperor
Keiko, prayed for a long life and was
rewarded by living well over 300
years. Hearing this story, the Prince
Shotoku (572 ‒ 622) named this temple
Chomeiji or literally the “temple oflong life.” The main worship hall, 3-tierpagoda, bell tower and the hall whereﬁre oﬀerings are made are connected
and there is a magnanimous view ofLake Biwa from the grounds.

This temple is the 32nd sacred pointof worship on the Saigokuyakushi
Pilgrimage. It is said to have been
built by the Prince Shotoku in 605,
at the request of local fishermen.
Inside is found a 6 m tall statue ofa thousand-handed thousand-eyed
Buddhist saint made of sandalwood
from India.

Found on Mt. Kinugasa, theseruins belong to the castle of the
Rokkaku Line of the Sasaki Clan,
who ruled over Omi in Japanʼ
s Middle Ages. The castle wasamongst the largest of its kind inJapan as it encompassed the entire
mountain, and is today recognized
as a National Historic Site and oneof Japanʼs Top 100 Castles. The
stone walls and foundation still
stand today.

This old temple sits quietly in therural hamlet of Ishidera. The stonegarden is said to be the work of
the 16th century tea master Enshu
Kobori and exhibits an elegancecharacteristic of the AzuchiMomoyama and Early Edo Eras. It
is highly reputed for its autumnal
foliage and bamboo forest.

Tel 0748-33-0031

Admission Free (Inner Temple: ¥300)
Tel 0748-46-2549

Admission Adults: ¥500, Children
7 - 15: ¥200
* Normally open only on weekends andholidays. Open on weekdays between
Nov. 1 and Dec. 15. Parking (cars x 50,
buses x 4) by reservation only.
Tel 0748-46-5400

A treasured hamlet of
Masako Shirasu in Omi

Sites heralded by essayist Masako Shirasu in her “Kakurezato” and “Omiyamakosho”

Oda Nobunaga

Nobunagaʼs heroic campaign to squelch the chaos and unify Japan began here.
Prefectural Azuchi Castle③ Shiga
Archeological Museum①Azuchi Castle Ruins②“House of Nobunaga”

Azuchi Castle was said to have been anarchitectural masterpiece. It was built by the
Daimyo Nagahide Niwa over a 6-year period,
under orders from Oda Nobunaga in 1576.
All that remains today are the stone walls
and foundation. The ruins and grounds aredesignated a Special Historic Site of Japan.

This full-scale replica of the 5th and 6th
ﬂoors of Azuchi Castle was created completewith interiors for the Japanese Pavilion
at the 1992 Worldʼs Fair in Seville, Spain.
The splendor of the gold leaf, dolphin roof
ornaments and interior murals were extolled
at the time in Europe by missionaries.

Admission Adults: ¥500, Children 7 - 15: ¥100
Hours 9：00 〜 17:00 (Last admission: 16:00.
Varies by season.)
Closed Open year-roundTel 0748-46-4234 (Azuchi Station Travel Oﬃce)

Admission Adults: ¥500, Children 16 ‒ 21: ¥300,
Children 7 - 15: ¥150
Hours 9：00 〜 17:00 (Last admission: 16:30)
Closed Monday (Tuesday if Monday is a holiday),
New Yearʼs holiday
Tel 0748-46-6512*Pay-one-price tickets include the Shiga Prefectural
Azuchi Castle Archeological Museum.

Admission Adults: ¥400, Children 16 ‒ 21: ¥250,
Children 15 and below: Free (Separate price added
for special exhibits.)
Hours 9:00 〜 17:00 (Last admission: 16:30)
Closed Monday (Tuesday if Monday is a holiday),
New Yearʼs holiday
Tel 0748-46-2424*Pay-one-price tickets include the House of Nobunaga.

④Azuchi Castle Museum⑤Jogonin Temple⑥Seminario Site

The museum explains everything you
want to know about Azuchi Castle via
videos, a 1:20 scale model that has been
meticulously reproduced in astonishingdetail down to the interiors, and muralsdesigned like folding screens that encircle
the gallery. Espresso coﬀee is also served.

This temple was built by Oda Nobunaga
as part of the Azuchi fiefdom. There are
7 Important Cultural Properties on the
grounds, beginning with the main worshiphall. The temple featured prominently in the
Azuchi Religious Debate of 1579 between
the Jodo and Nichiren sects of Buddhism.

Admission Adults: ¥200, Children 16 ‒ 21: ¥150,
Children 7 - 15: ¥100
Hours 9：00 〜 17:00 (Last admission: 16:30)
Closed Monday (Tuesday if Monday is a holiday),
New Yearʼs holiday
Tel 0748-46-5616

Admission ¥300
Hours 9:00 〜 16:30 (Reservations required)
Tel 0748-46-2242 、0748-46-5435

This is where the first Christianseminary in Japan stood. It was built
in 1581 by the Italian missionary Soldo
Organtino and had the protection of
Oda Nobunaga. The buildings were lostin the fires of war that burned down
Azuchi Castle. The grounds have been
converted into a public park.

Akira Naitoⓒ

Built in an architectural style typical ofWestern Europe, this museum is located ina landscaped park in the foothills. Exhibits
cover a wide gamut of local history fromJapanʼs Yayoi and Tumulus Periods, andpresent a plethora of interesting facts
about Oda Nobunaga and Azuchi Castle.

Akira Naitoⓒ

The legacy and soul of a man who deeply loved Omihachiman still very much alive today
Amidst its distinctively rich Japanese culture, Omihachiman has a number of buildings with
Western architectural features that seem to belong in another part of the world. They were
designed by William Merrel Vories, an American who came to Japan in 1905 to teach English
at what is now Hachiman Shogyo High School. While in Japan, Vories was passionately
active as a Christian missionary and was involved in designing some 1,600 structures acrossJapan in which he demonstrated his conviction that a “building, like a person, is deﬁned notjust by its appearance but also by its substance.”
Vories also imported mentholatum and built the Omi Sanatorium (now Vories Memorial
Hospital) to care for people with tuberculosis, which was untreatable at the time. He mademany other social contributions that included establishing a library and the Omi Brotherhood
Schools as places of learning for the local youth. Vories believed that “Omihachiman was the centerof the world,” and left a legacy and soul that can still be seen today.

⑦William Merrel Vories Library⑧Old Hachiman Post Oﬃce

⑨Ikedacho Dormitory⑩Iba Residence

Once the home of William Merrel
Vories and his wife Makiko, thismuseum puts on display articles
from the Voriesʼ history. Reservations
required. Call for reservations.

This post oﬃce was designed by
Vories in 1921. It serves today as
the oﬃce of the Hitotsubunokai,
an NPO dedicated to preservingbuildings designed by Vories.
Open to the general public.

Built as a dormitory for
missionaries, this colonialstyle residence features abrick fence, tall chimney andspacious garden. The building
can only be viewed from theoutside.

This Tudor style home wasbuilt in 1913 as a residence for
Shinkichi Iba, the fourth son of
Teigo Iba, the second DirectorGeneral of Sumitomo Zaibatsu.
Plans are to open the residence
for viewing on a limited basis.

Admission Free
Hours 10 ： 00〜16 ： 00 (Reservations
required. Call for reservations.)
Closed Monday, public holidays,
irregular holidays
Tel 0748-32-2456

Tel 0748-33-6521

Tel 0748-33-3111(Omihachiman Culture & Tourism
Department)

William Merrel
VoriesWilliam Merrel Vories ／ Known in Japan as Mereru Hitotsuyanagi (1880−1964)

Lagoon land

Lakes, canals and lush green surroundings are an integral part of local lives
View from Meijibashi Bridgein the early 1970s⑪Hachiman Moat
There are several explanations as to why
Omihachiman developed into a thriving community,
but the roles played by the Hachiman Moat should
not be discounted. Though moats most commonly
served to defend a castle, Hidetsugu Toyotomi
thought of using this particular moat as a canal andrequired all boats transiting to and from Lake Biwa
to make port in Hachiman. Moreover, because a freemarket similar to that in Azuchi was opened, private Hachiman Moat in springbusiness thrived in the castle town.
The Hachiman Moat gave local merchants quicker
access to the rest of the country and helped thembuild a noteworthy reputation, but lifestyles changed
during Japanʼs economic surge of the late 1950s andlocal interest in the moat was gradually lost. With
its prominence seemingly faded away, plans werecrafted to ﬁll it in. But then, sensing that they would
come to regret its demise, concerned residents
Movie being shot
banded together to clean and restore the moat to its
original beauty, efforts that various organizations continue today. Now, theHachiman Moat is a place for residents to relax, a popular tourist attractionthat draws photographers, artists and history buffs to Omihachiman, andfrequently the location for historical movie shoots.

View from Meijibashi Bridge today⑫ Murakumogoshozuiryuji
Temple* Ships depart regularly for Okishima Island from Horikirishinko Port.

This temple was originally built in
1596 in Murakumo, Kyoto to mournthe death of Hidetsugu Toyotomi
by his birth mother, Zuiryuin
Nisshuniko. Accused of plotting acoup, Toyotomi committed suicide on
Mt. Koya under orders of Hideyoshi
Toyotomi. It was relocated to Mt.
Hachiman in 1961. From the top of
the mountain, there is a commanding
view of Mt. Azuchi, Lake Biwa andthe marshlands that border the lake.

⑭Miyagahama Beach⑮Kitagawa Springs⑯Johama⑰Umenokawa

One of Japanʼs Top 88 Beaches
selected by the Ministry of theEnvironment, Miyagahama isa great and safe place to bringchildren, as the grass reaches
almost to the shoreline and boating
is prohibited in the shallow waters
just oﬀ the beach.

This section of town thrived inJapanʼs Muromachi Era (1333 1573) as the Jorakuji Docks. Manyof the natural springs today lookand flow just as they did backthen.

Johama was a prosperous dockside
community in the Muromachi Era, since
it was the outer port of Kannonji Castle.
It remained a port-of-call for steam
ships that cruised Lake Biwa up until
the early Showa Era (1930s). Today, it isa park that provides residents a placeof rest and relaxation. It is also known
today as “Jonobashi,” which literallymeans the “bridge over the lock.”

This is one of the natural springs thatfeed Lake Nishinoko. It is said that
Sekian Takei, a military commander
under Oda Nobunaga and a tea
ceremony adherent, prepared tea
for the leader with water from thisspring. So impressed was Nobunaga
that he reportedly demanded thiswater for tea ceremonies whenever
he was in the area.

⑬Okishima Island
Okishima is the largest island in Japanʼs largest lake, Lake Biwa. It isalso a rare example of a lake island where a community actually lives ona full-time basis. The ﬁrst inhabitants are said to have been retreating
Genji Clan soldiers who ﬂed the Genpei War of 1180 ‒ 1185. Some 6.8
km around and 1.5 km2 in size, the island has an elementary school,
post oﬃce, temple and shrine, and lodgings. Most of the inhabitants are
ﬁshermen and lead a calm life in the islandʼs warm climate.
Aerial view of Okishima Island

Tel 0748-32-3323⑱Nishinoko Canal District
The canal district around Lake Nishinoko is counted amongst the best eight landscapes of Lake Biwa. In the springtime,
grebes and warblers can be found amongst the reeds. It is a popular choice amongst city dwellers who seek some peace andquiet away from the everyday hustle and bustle, as the seasons can be enjoyed with the ﬁve senses throughout the year.
The aquatic environment of the marshes has received lots of attention in recent years, as the filtering and ecologicalimportance of the reeds has become more widely known. The marsh was named Japanʼs ﬁrst Important Cultural Landscapein January 2006, the wetlands comprising Lake Nishinoko and Chomyoji River were registered as a Ramsar Site in October
2007, and the “Shirao-Maruyama” area was listed amongst Japanʼs Top 100 Sato in January 2008. The unspoiled landscapeinstills a wholesome feeling in visitors and triggers a natural healing eﬀect.
* The Nishinoko Canal District tour services are provided by 4 operators. (As of March 2013)

SpringSummerAutumnWinter

The beauty andimportance of thecanal district

The scent of the seasons blows on the wind across the water.

Merchants of Hachiman

Business in Omihachiman has long been guided by the principle that businessshould beneﬁt each the vendor, the buyer and society as a whole.
Hakuunkan⑲Omihachiman Municipal Museum⑳Himurehachimangu Shrine㉑ (Tourist Information Center)

This “museum” actually consists of 4 separatebuildings that belonged to prominent merchantsin the area: Local History Museum, History
and Folklore Museum, former Ban Residence
and former Nishikawa Residence (Important
Cultural Property). The orderly architecture andinteriors convey the simplicity and frugality thatcharacterized the mindset of local merchants.

This shrine has been the patron deity of local
merchants for over 1,000 years and, to thisday, continues to bask in the unwavering faithand protection of many. The shrine houses
numerous Important Cultural Properties
amongst which is an old painting of a shipheaded for An Nam (ancient day Vietnam)that was donated by Taroemon Nishimura(1603 ‒ 1651), a local merchant who traveled toVietnam at the ripe age of 20 and made a namefor himself doing business. The shrine is also
known for the festivals it hosts: Sagicho Matsuri
in March and Hachiman Matsuri in April.

Originally built as the Hachimanhigashi
School in 1871, the buildingʼs construction
was funded primarily with donations
from local merchants who believed inpromoting better education for local
youths. Today, it doubles as a tourist
information center and art gallery.
(Tangible Cultural Property of Japan)

Admission Adults: ¥500, Children: ¥300
(Pay-one-price ticket for all 4 sites)
Hours 9:00〜16:30 (Last admission: 16:00)
Closed Monday (except holiday), Next day of holiday(except Saturday, Sunday and holiday), New Yearʼs holiday* Open everyday during tourist season.
Tel 0748-32-7048

Admission Free
Hours 9:00〜17:00
Closed New Yearʼs holiday
Tel 0748-32-7003

Tel 0748-32-3151㉒Kawara Museum㉓NO-MA Borderless Art Museum㉔Hikiyama to igusa no yakata

This one of the few museums in Japan
dedicated to roof tiles. Exhibits focus on thelocal history of Omihachimanʼs roof tile industry
but also present roof tiles from around theworld. The building itself is a striking structure
dressed in local tiles. Workshops on making tiles
from clay are oﬀered (reservations required).

Located in the cityʼs Preservation District,this museum was once the early Showa
Era home of Seiroku Noma, a prominent
businessman from Omihachiman. The
galleries opened in 2004, and the creative
exhibitions and events have drawn acclaim
both across Japan and abroad.

Admission Adults: ¥300, Children: ¥200
Hours 9:00〜17:00 (Last admission: 16:30)
Closed Monday (except holiday), Next day of holiday(except Saturday, Sunday and holiday), New Yearʼs holiday* Open everyday during tourism season.
Tel 0748-33-8567

Admission Varies by exhibition
Hours 11:00〜17:00
Closed Monday (Tuesday if Monday is a holiday),
New Yearʼs holiday, in-between exhibitions
Tel 0748-36-5018

This museum puts on display the toolsthat were used locally to make tatami mat
facings and to harvest and process the rush(pronounced igusa in Japanese) from which
they were made. Also on display are the six
hikiyama ﬂoats that are paraded through thestreets during the Asagoigion Matsuri that isheld every year on the third Saturday in July.
The museum takes the rush, natural springsand community development as its themes.

㉕Musajuku on the Nakasendo

who was concerned about the environment
Teigo Iba（1847−1926）A100businessman
years ago while at the helm of Sumitomo Zaibatsu
Teigo Iba was born in what is now Nishijukucho, Omihachiman in 1847. He was appointed judge
at the age of 22 and executed those responsibilities in diverse locations, only to grow disillusioned
with civil service and retire after ten years. When paying a visit to his uncle, Sahei Hirose,then the ﬁrst Director-General of Sumitomo Zaibatsu, his uncle encouraged him to join thecompany, which he did. At that time, the company was troubled by labor disputes andpollution caused by their Besshi Mine, but Teigo was tenacious about solving the problems.
Teigo was appointed the second Director-General of Sumitomo Zaibatsu and built the foundationsof the Sumitomo Group of today by establishing the predecessors of todayʼs Sumitomo Mitsui
Banking, Sumitomo Metal Industries, Sumitomo Electric Industries, Sumitomo Light
Metal Industries and other major companies. In 1890, he was elected to the House ofⓒTeigo Iba
Representatives of the First Imperial Diet. Four years later, he retired from Sumitomo Zaibatsu(Taken from the
Omihachiman Archives) to let the next generation build the future. He passed away in 1926 at the age of 79.
Hachimanbetsuin㉖ Honganji
TempleIt is where the Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa rested
after his victory in the Battle of Sekigahara,
while on his way back to the capital. Hachiman
is believed to have been special to Tokugawa
because local businessmen are said to haveaided him in the Siege of Osaka. The temple
also provided food and lodging for Korean
envoys to Japan. A poem left by Chamberlain
Rinanko (李南岡) hangs inside the temple.
Tel 0748-33-2466

During the Edo Era, Omihachiman was abusy stopover for travelers between Edo(Tokyo) and Kyoto. The old houses withlatticed windows and stone markers thatstood at crossroads are reminders of
the heydays. Reportedly long ago there
were local specialties like measuringcups and lacquerware that bore themusa brand. Similarly, the dragonʼshead ﬂower (pronounced musharindo inJapanese) that was discovered here gets
its name from the locality.

New relations between Japan and Korea along the Chosenjinkaido
Though Japan was closed to the outside world during the Edo Era, it maintained diplomatic
relations with Korea and the Ryukyu Kingdom via correspondence and with China andHolland via trade. Using channels in the Tsushima Domain, the Shogun Ieyasu Tokugawa sent
messengers on diverse occasions to Korea in an attempt to mend relations that were broken oﬀ
after Hideyoshi Toyotomi invaded the Korean Peninsula. In 1607, an oﬃcial envoy from Korea
was ﬁnally welcomed. A total of 12 envoys would follow between then and 1811. The route
these delegations took from Korea to Edo (Tokyo) became known as the Chosenjinkaido (literally
the “Korean Route”), a name that remains today.
The route has its origins in the road that led to Kyoto when Oda Nobunaga built Azuchi
Castle. It was thought of as the lower reaches of the Nakasendo and, because it followed theshores of Lake Biwa, was referred to as the Hamakaido (literally the “beach road”). The Koreanemissaries had also a cultural capacity and often were accompanied by scholars, artists andcalligraphers, which are thought to have considerably inﬂuenced Japanese culture at the time.

A ﬂow of people and ideas along
the Nakasendo and Chosenjinkaido

Nakasendo, one of the Edo Eraʼs ﬁve major roads connecting
Edo (Tokyo) and Kyoto

Admission Adults: ¥300, Children 7 - 18: ¥150
Hours 10:00〜17:00
Tel 0748-33-0559

36

Omihachiman
City Library

Boarding Point
at Honenbashi Bridge↓
Honmachi Street

Shinmachi
Tamaki↓

Former Nishikawa Residence

Obata

×

A. Municipal
Obatakanko
Parking Lot P

Parking Lot

Route 8

Temple↓ChomeijiHachiman
文
Junior High School

YouthNakanosho Hostel-mae

Togeinosato▲Mt. Hachiman⑳ Himurehachimangu Shrine
Kitanosho
22 Kawara Museum↓↓↓

Hidetsugu
Toyotomi

Obusa

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Hidetsugu Toyotomi was thefirst son born to the elder
sister of the powerful daimyo
Hideyoshi Toyotomi. Afterthe death of Oda Nobunaga,
Hidetsugu built Hachiman
Castle, which he protectedby digging the Hachiman
Moat. The moat also provided access to Lake
Biwa and encouraged people living in Azuchi
and the surroundings to move into the castle
town. There, Hidetsugu established an open
market that laid the foundations for theﬁefdomʼs development as a commercial center.
Later, Hidetsugu inherited the role of Chief
Advisor to the Emperor, but when Hideyori
was born to his uncle Hideyoshi, he was
accused of plotting a rebellion and ordered tocommit suicide. Hidetsugu is recognized today
as the founding father of Omihachiman.

KofunakichoⅠ

Tenmangujinja
ShrineOtowachoNakamuracho

City Hall

Sakuranomiyacho 38

2
Nakakomori

JuochoKominami

Kita

NO-MA Borderless
Art Museum
Imamiya Enlarged View

21 Hakuunkan

Yagi

Egashirachonishi

Kumazawa
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27 Kuwanomidera

Temple⑩ Former
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35 Kyorinbo Temple

Forest Road
Entry (Pay)

Ishiderarakuichi Market

28 Oisonomori/Okuishijinja Shrine

Nishioiso

RokumaibashiMusaSenzoku
TumulusGroup↓ To Ryuo IC▲Mt. Mitsukuri

KamekawadoTomosadacho
sen
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31 Iwatoyama Jusanbutsu

25 Nakasendo Musa Posting Station

Chofuku no Sato (Fujitaki)
Umamigaokajinja
ShrineFukujuji Temple
8

Uenojinja Shrine

33 Kannonshoji Temple

Nishorai

Shinodajinja Shrine

IwakuraChokoji Temple▲Mt. Kamewari421(13 Buddha of Mt. Iwato)
kaichiShinyo【Volunteer Tour Guides】 For tour guides, contact（234m）

Myokanji Temple

Kitamachiya

Gokashominami

Kongoji

Ohm
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34 Kannonji Castle Ruins

Hyotanyama Tumulus⑤JogoninTemple30 Sasakijinja Shrine
Kurohashi 24
Hikiyama toigusa no yakata ④Azuchi Castle
Museum

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im
ch
a
ih
Om

To Hikone IC

Tsukamoto▲Mt. Kinugasa (Mt. Kannonji) (433m)② House of
Nobunaga

Nishinosho

Hachimanbetsuin
TempleOdajinja Shrine⑥ Seminario Site

Asagoi

Enlarged View

26 Honganji

Hinogawa
River

23

Kinugasayama Tunnel③ Shiga Prefectural
Azuchi Castle Archeological Museum
40 Bungeinosato Restaurant

Sokenji
TempleAzuchiyubinkyokumae（272m）

Prefectural
Road Taga

29 Kamojinja Shrine

▲和田山

↑

Vories-Kinenbyoinmae⑲Omihachiman
Municipal Museum

477(Azuchicho Tourism Association) ↓Kagadanchiguchi▲Mt. Azuchi（198m）①Azuchi CastleRuins⑱Canal District⑪ Hachiman Moat

Nomuracho

C.ParkingLot in front of
Azuchi Castle Ruins

Lake
Nishinoko

Maruyama

TempleYasu City④ Azuchi Castle Museum

Dainaka

Shiraoguchi
Maruyama

Koganshiratorigawa（188m）川

Residential Police Box

東近江市 Sasakijinja Shrine↓
Wataraibashikitazume⑫Murakumogoshozuiryuji▲Mt. Oka

AzuchiN

Chomeijicho

Biwako Yoshibue Road

登

Sumo Yagura 能WataraiSports Park

↓To Biwakoohashi Bridge,
Otsu and Kyoto←To Omihachiman Station

Statue ofNobunaga Oda

Dainakanokominami Remains▲Mt. Chomeiji

32 Chomeiji

39 41

Azuchi Station
Travel Oﬃce

Jorakujiminami（425m）

ChomeijiPort

55⑰Umenokawa Spring

National Park Resort Omihachiman

Oshima-Okutsushimajinja Shrine▲Mt. Tsuda（Mt. Ikiya）（333m） Kitatsuda

23 NO-MA Borderless

Azuchi Community Center▲Mt. Okutsu（324m）

Okushima National Forests

Prefectural Road
Taga

BK

AzuchiElementary School 文

JR Tokaido Main Line (Bowako Line)↓

Art Museum

AzuchiOdagahama Park Resort (P)P B. Tagakanko

Matsubara〒 Azuchi Post Oﬃce

⑮Kitagawa Springs Kindergarten⑭ Miyagahama
Swimming Beach(Vories Memorial)↓〒
HachimanElementary School

Nagaharacho Street

Nakayacho Street

文

Ishincho Street

Uoyacho Street

2 km toOmihachiman Station↓↓

Azuchiyubinkyokumae BK

Horikiri New Port

⑦Hitotsuyanagi Memorial(Designed by William Merrel Vories)⑯Tsunehama Mizube Park

11 liner services per day (9 services on Sunday)

Kajiyacho
Gakuenmae
文 Omi Brotherhood Schools⑧ Old Hachiman Post Oﬃce

Suishabashi

Okishima Fishing Port

37

Taga

Macninami Suigo Museum

Shinmachi Street ↓↓Walking Trail

Obatakamisuji

21 Hakuunkan

文

Chosenjinkaido
Former Ban Residence↓

Obatakamisuji

22 Kawara Museum↓

History and Folklore Museum
Local History Museum⑨ Ikedacho Dormitory
Hachimanbetsuin (Designed by William Merrel Vories) ↓TempleHachiman Commercial Senior High School 文

Oosugicho

Omi Merchantsʼ Town

isakiji
TempleRoute 8↓

⑪Hachiman Moat

Meijibashi
Bridge↓Ikedacho Street↓

26 Honganji〒⑳Himurehachimangu Shrine

Statue ofWilliam Merrel Vories

Obatashiryokanmae

Ganjojuji Temple↓⑬ Okishima Island↑N

Mt. Hachiman
Cable Car

Chomeiji Temple /National Park Resort Omihachiman

Hachiman Park
Statue of Hidetsugu Toyotomi

Ⅱ In the Front Area of Azuchi Station↑
To Hikone

文 Okishima Elementary School

Komyojimae

Guided tours of the city are available
for groups of 2 or more persons with
5 days advanced notice.
(Guides work on a volunteer basis,but ¥1,000 per guide is requested
to cover personal travel expenses.)

Omihachiman Station Tourist
Information Center
Tel 0748-33-6061

長Azuchi Station Tourist
谷
Information Center野Tel 0748-46-4234

Yoka
ichi

Ⅰ Hachiman Moat Area

− See it all in Omihachiman −Festival Calendar

2 days 1 night Model Course

Hachiman Matsuri(April)April 1st Sat.：Sasaki Matsuri (Sasakijinja Shrine)
14-15：Hachiman Matsuri (Himurehachimangu Shrine)

Tracing the steps of great people History Course

Torches are lit on the 14th and a large drum is paraded into
the shrine on the 15th.

1st day qq

JR Azuchi Station ― Azuchi Castle Museum ― Azuchi Castle Ruins ―（Lunch）― Shiga Prefectural Azuchi Castle Archeological Museum/House of
Nobunaga ― Sasakijinja Shrine ― Lodging in Omihachiman, etc.

May 4：Shinodanohanabi (Shinodajinja Shrine)

Traditional fireworks display dating back to the Edo Era.
Every year, a themed mural of ﬁreworks is lit up.

2nd day qq

6 (First Sunday after the 6th：Ashifusesome (Kamojinja Shrine)

Lodging in Omihachiman, etc. ― Ikedacho Dormitory ― Omihachiman
Municipal Museum ― Hachiman Moat ― Himurehachimangu Shrine ―（Lunch）― Nishinoko Canal District ― William Merrel Vories Library ―Old Hachiman Post Oﬃce ― NO-MA Borderless Art Museum ―JR Omihachiman Station

if the 6th is a weekday.)

Early June：Azuchi Nobunaga Matsuri (Mt. Azuchi)

July 3rd Sat.：Asagoigion Matsuri (Asagoicho)
August 1：Isakinosaotobi (Isakiji Temple)
1st Sun.：Hachimantenbin Matsuri

The sacred path through Omi Pilgrimage Course to Temples and Shrines

Azuchi Nobunaga
Matsuri (June)(Omihachiman City Oﬃce)

1st day qq

Mid September：Hachimanbori Matsuri (Along Hachiman Moat)

JR Omihachiman Station ― Honganji Hachimanbetsuin Temple ―Omihachiman Municipal Museum ― Hachiman Moat ―（Lunch）―
Hachimanyama Ropeway (Murakumogoshozuiryuji Temple) ― Kawara Museum ―Chomeiji Temple (31st sacred point of worship on the Saigokuyakushi Pilgrimage) ―Lodging in Omihachiman, etc.

October：Omi Genji Matsuri (Sasakijinja Shrine)
Mid November ‒：Autumn Evening Illumination (Kyorinbo Temple)
Early December
Mid February ‒：Omihachiman Doll Festival（Omihachiman Municipal Museum, etc.）
Mid March
March Sat.：Sagicho Matsuri (Himurehachimangu Shrine)
around 14-15 Festival for announcing spring. 13 decorations associated2nd day qq

Lodging in Omihachiman, etc. ― Jogonin Temple ― Kitagawa Springs ―Nishinoko Canal District ―（Lunch）― Kannonji Castle Ruins/Kannonshoji
Temple (32nd sacred point of worship on the Saigokuyakushi Pilgrimage) ―Kyorinbo Temple ― Ishiderarakuichi Market ― JR Azuchi Station

with the Chinese Zodiac are paraded around the old quarterand burned in a bonﬁre on the 2nd day.

Omihachiman's local specialties
Omihachiman has many local specialties born from the blessings of a fertile environment anda long history. A few of the representative specialties are “Omigyu” (one of three best brandsof beef in Japan), “Akakonyaku” (devilʼs tongue jelly that dates back to Oda Nobunaga),“Decchiyokan” (sweet bean paste tied to local business), “Chojifu” (bread-like food made fromgluten), “Omimai” (rice) and “Kogyotsukudani” (lake ﬁsh boiled in soy sauce). In recent years,
ecological products have come recommended such as noodles and ice cream made with rush.
There are also numerous handicrafts of local origin including oshie (padded cloth pictures thatdate back to the Nara Era), Hachiman juzu (rosaries said to have been instituted by the Prince
Shotoku), Hachiman kawara (roof tiles that were an integral part of the architectural landscapeof a commerce-oriented town), bamboo handicrafts, shoes and of course paper and bamboo
blinds made with rush from the local marshes.

Map of Shiga Prefecture↑To Kanazawa

Access by Car/Train

Tsuruga

Wakasa Bay

s If coming by JR

Hokuriku Expressway
Gifu Pref.

Fukui Pref.

Shiga Pref.

1
Osaka pref.

Hikone IC

Tokaido Shinkansen

477

Mie Pref.

306

Shinmeishin
Expressway

Azuchi Station

Ise Bay

About 3 min

Hikone IC
About 20 min

Omihachiman Station

Aichi
Pref.

Meishin Expressway

Kyoto

Osaka

NagoyaAbout 23 min

About 40 min

About 20 min

About 30 min

Kyoto Station
About 30 min

To Shizuoka←To Kobe

1

Tomei/Meishin About 6 hr
Expressways

Tokaido Main Line
(JR Biwako Line)

LimitedExpress Train

Otsu

MaibaraYokkaichi IC
Ryuo IC
306

Tokyo

Maibara Station
Limited Express/
Local Train

AzuchiOmihachiman

Tokyo Station
Tokaido Shinkansen About 2 hr 15 min

JR Tokaido Main Line

Nagahama

HikoneJR Kosei Line

Hyogo
Pref.

8

↓

Kyoto Pref.

Lake
Biwa

s If coming by car

Osaka Station

JR “Haruka”
Limited Express
Train

Ryuo IC

About
15 minKusatsu Tanakami IC

Shinmeishin About 1 hr
Expressway

Meishin
Expressway About 1 hr

Kameyama IC

About 30 min

Kansai International Airport

Suita ICs Parking【 Tourism Inquiries 】

Omihachiman Tourism Association…http://www.omi8.com
Omihachiman Station Tourist Information Center…Tel 0748-33-6061 Fax 0748-32-4125
Azuchi Station Tourist Information Center…Tel/Fax 0748-46-4234

Lot
A. City Obata Parking Lot
B. Taga Parking Lot
C. Azuchi Castle Parking Lot

Microbus
CapacityFee (Per day)Car
CapacityFee (Per day)11

¥2,06083¥510

7 (Max. 10)¥2,00043 (Max. 57)

¥500

30

¥2,060180¥510* Hours … 9:00 ‒ 17:00 (Reservations not accepted)
Published: Omihachiman Culture & Tourism Department … 236 Sakuramiyacho, Omihachiman City, Shiga 523-8501 … Tel 0748-33-3111 Fax 0748-32-5032
Photos provided by Biwako Visitors Bureau

This brochure was printed with soy ink using awaterless process that does not release releases
harmful liquids.

H27 3月 10,000 EINS