Omihachiman (Omihachiman City, Shiga Pref.)

The Hachiman Canal, which provides scenes of tree-lined embankments existing in a state of harmony with white-walled storehouses, was built as a canal linking the castle town of Hachiman in the mountains with Lake Biwa. The canal also played an important role as a lake-based shipping route used by Omi merchants.

A streetscape of former merchant homes characterized by lattice doors, udatsu pillars, and other such elements as well as scenes depicting the lifestyles of merchants and their accounting activities have been brought back to life here in the birthplace of the culture of Omi merchants. There is also a museum where visitors can learn more about the day-to-day lives of merchants.

Omi merchants:

Merchants traveling around Japan on foot for commerce Udatsu: Fire-preventative structural element used in homes

Held each year in the middle of March, the Sagicho Festival is an unrivaled celebration that was even inscribed in the Official Chronicles of Nobunaga, which states that Oda Nobunaga, a famous warlord who made his mark on the world around four hundred years ago, actively organized this festival at the site of Azuchi Castle and performed a dance while wearing make-up. Thirteen Sagicho floats are carried by young men dressed up as women and paraded around town.

In the evening of the next day, fire is set to these Sagicho floats and the sight of them burning furiously is one that should not be missed.

Sagicho:

Portable shrines used in festivals