70319-0002 - Lake Biwa Waterway

The Lake Biwa Waterway (琶湖疏水, Biwako Sosui) in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture as seen from the sluice gate in Otsu. The Buddhist temple on the mountain is Miidera. The house on the left is the residence of Shiga Governor Hiroshi Nakai.

The canal was designed by Sakuro Tanabe to generate electricity and supply drinking water for Kyoto City, as well as facilitate transportation. It was opened in 1890 (Meiji 23). This photo was taken sometime between 1887 and 1896.