Nanzenji Suirokaku

Introduction

A run of red-brick arches suddenly appears inside Nanzen-ji: Suirokaku, part of the Lake Biwa Canal. In the early Meiji period the third governor of Kyoto, Kitagaki Kunimichi, put the newly graduated engineer Tanabe Sakuro in charge of bringing Biwa's water to the city; work began in 1885 and this brick aqueduct through the temple was completed in 1890. It runs 93.2 metres, stands about 9 metres high and combines brick with granite piers; it is a Kyoto City historic site. Some two tonnes of water still cross it each second on the way to the Philosopher's Path, so it remains a working piece of modern civil engineering. Timber temple gates and mossy brick arches share one frame here, and with the shade and running water it has become one of Kyoto's most filmed and photographed spots. Walk under the arches and up the canal-side path to reach Nanzen-in. The aqueduct is free at all hours; only the Sanmon climb and Hojo garden charge admission.

✨ Highlights

🛈 Practical Info