Shiokoji Bridge

The Kamo River Canal starting from the intersection between Reisen-dori and Kawabata-dori drains into Sanjo-dori, and its flow re-appears from Shiokoji Bridge. It was changed to be drained in 1988 (Showa 63) in connection with the undergrounding of Keihan Electric Railway. In order to maintain canal function, there are still towing ropes attached on the west side in the underground drain.

Remains of Municipal Electric Railway Inari Station

Do you know that there was a "station" over the canal in the past? The municipal electric railway shuttled between Kyoto Station and Fushimi Inari until the 40s in the Showa Era, and Inari Station at the end of the line was on Inari Bridge over the canal. It became a park, and there is nothing left of the old station. A flash of the rail on the edge, however, clearly indicates the municipal railway was once alive and running.

Crests on bridge piers

Some bridges over the Kamo River Canal have the star-shaped crests on their piers. There are two types of crests: one is the hexagonal star used for Kyoto City Water Supply Projects including the electric power project, which remains on several bridges. The other is the pentagonal star used by the army, which remains on the Shidan Bridge along with traces of the Army's 16th Division placed in Fukakusa until the end of the War.

1914 (Taisho 3rd year)

Fushimi Incline Upper Dam and Sumizome Power Plant

Since ships passing through the Incline needed places to wait, a dam was installed on upper and lower positions of the Incline. There are cherry trees that were planted for the purpose of the retaining wall in the upper dam, and they still bloom magnificent blossoms every spring. Also, in order to generate electric power, the Fushimi Power Plant (current Sumizome Power Plant) was constructed in 1914 (Taisho 3rd year), and it still operates as an active facility.

1914 (Taisho 3rd year)

Remains of Fushimi Incline

The Fushimi Incline, completed in 1895 (Meiji 28), was driven by a waterwheel, which was different from the Keage Incline, which used motorized power. As many as 100 boats a day were raised and lowered in those days, but general operation was brought to a stop in 1943 (Showa 18), and the rails were removed in 1960 (Showa 35). Today only its name remains at the city bus stop.

Fushimi Incline Lower Dam / Fushimi New Discharge Channel

The Fushimi Incline was approximately 290 meters long, and it took about five minutes to travel in both directions. There remains a part of the brick structure at the canal outlet in the lower dam. In addition, the downstream Fushimi New Discharge Channel was completed in 1925 (Taisho 14) after catastrophic flood of the Yodo River, and it has an elaborate design engraved with the crest of Kyoto City (abbreviation) on the bridge.

1927 (Showa 2nd)

Imonoya Bridge

This is the end of Lake Biwa Canal, and the first canal, flowing from Okazaki and named Oto Canal, as well as that from Kamo River Ebisugawa Deai, named Kamo River Canal, changes its name again to Hori River at this point and connects to Uji River via the Misu Lock Gate. Note that there also remains a part of brick used in those days on the left bank of this bridge.