The Lake Biwa Canal is a historic waterway constructed first in 1890 and extended again in 1912. The canal links Lake Biwa, the largest lake in the country, to the city of Kyoto. It’s an amazing ...

Kyoto, the former imperial capital ... Tokyo Great Kayaking offers tours that let you paddle through the city’s waterways, offering a tranquil escape from the urban hustle.

From the 17th century, the river became a major transportation route, carrying people and cargo such as rice and safflower down to the coast, and from there as far as Kyoto and Osaka Prefectures.