Enjoy traditional rowboat through the historic townscape of Omihachiman
Sitting right on the shore of Japan’s largest lake, Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture, Omihachiman is a charming tourist destination, famous for its nicely preserved historical townscape and impressive system of canals cut through the area. The town was once a bustling commercial hub of the Omi merchants ever since the nephew of Toyotomi Hidetoshi, Hidetsugu built a castle and gathered many merchants in the 16th century. Their retro buildings and shops persist to this day, making it a perfect place for tourists in search of nostalgic scenes of old Japan. The best way to enjoy this old merchant town is to take traditional boat cruises that glide through the historical district at a slow pace. You can immerse yourself in the city's history while taking photographs of the exquisite scenery. There is also a chance of stumbling upon an acting scene while wandering along the moat as the town is frequently used as a filming location for historical dramas. Be sure to add Omihachiman to your itinerary on the next trip to Japan.