News On Japan

'Ship Elevator' Opens on Yodo River, Restoring Kyoto-Osaka Water Route

KYOTO, Mar 17 (News On Japan) - A newly built ship elevator at the Yodo River Weir in Osaka City saw its first passage on March 16th, reopening a historic waterway that had been severed for 42 years. The route, which connects Kyoto's Fushimi district to Osaka Bay, is now accessible again, allowing direct boat access to Yumeshima, the artificial island that will host the Osaka-Kansai Expo.

During the Expo, an irregular boat service is planned between the weir's downstream area and Yumeshima.

Ship elevators, known as lock gates, help vessels navigate water level differences in rivers and seas. The Yodo River Weir's lock gate, construction of which began in January 2022, measures approximately 20 meters wide and 70 meters long, adjusting water levels by up to two meters. According to the Kinki Regional Development Bureau of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, the lock has been named the 'Yodo River Gateway' and is one of the largest of its kind in Japan.

On its opening day, five sightseeing boats entered the lock from upstream, taking around 30 minutes to adjust to the lower water level before proceeding downstream. During a commemorative ceremony, Osaka Governor Yoshimura expressed hopes for further revitalization of Osaka’s water transport, stating: 'We want to enhance the role of Osaka as a city of water.'

Meanwhile, a new dock near Hankyu Juso Station opened on the downstream side of the lock, serving as a departure point for irregular boat services to the Expo site. However, a full-fledged ferry service between Kyoto and the Expo venue has yet to be planned, as the journey would take approximately eight hours.

Source: 産経ニュース

News On Japan
POPULAR NEWS

A new leisure complex, Gravitate Osaka, opens this week near Aigawa Dam in Ibaraki, Osaka, featuring restaurants, activity areas, and Japan’s longest suspension bridge, stretching 420 meters.

A newly built ship elevator at the Yodo River Weir in Osaka City saw its first passage on March 16th, reopening a historic waterway that had been severed for 42 years. The route, which connects Kyoto's Fushimi district to Osaka Bay, is now accessible again, allowing direct boat access to Yumeshima, the artificial island that will host the Osaka-Kansai Expo.

In Japan, one in every 24 babies is born to foreign parents. For many of these parents, giving birth and raising a child in an unfamiliar country can be daunting. Language barriers and cultural differences often lead to isolation, sometimes resulting in prenatal or postnatal depression.

With one month to go until the opening of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, construction work is accelerating at the venue as delays in pavilion building continue to pose challenges.

Nagahama, a city steeped in history and culture, is home to numerous sites connected to the legacy of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. From Nagahama Castle, where visitors can view Hideyoshi’s handwritten documents and the scenery he once gazed upon, to Kunitomo, a major center of firearm production that supported Japan’s unification, the area offers a rich tapestry of historical insights.

MEDIA CHANNELS
         

MORE Travel NEWS

Akita is a prefecture located in Japan's Tohoku region. The area is known for deep snow and traditoinal foods and life style matching with the nature. (Tokyo Kenchan)

With one month to go until the opening of the Osaka-Kansai Expo, construction work is accelerating at the venue as delays in pavilion building continue to pose challenges.

Efforts to tackle overtourism in Otaru, Hokkaido, have taken an unconventional turn, as local youth have adopted a ninja persona to urge tourists to follow proper etiquette.

Nagahama, a city steeped in history and culture, is home to numerous sites connected to the legacy of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. From Nagahama Castle, where visitors can view Hideyoshi’s handwritten documents and the scenery he once gazed upon, to Kunitomo, a major center of firearm production that supported Japan’s unification, the area offers a rich tapestry of historical insights.

Japan is a country brimming with tradition, technology, and natural beauty. Whether you’re soaking in the serene beauty of Kyoto’s temples, shopping in the buzzing streets of Tokyo, or hiking the majestic Mt. Fuji, staying connected is crucial.

A yellow dust storm originating in China has led to the first warning of the year, with forecasts predicting its arrival in Japan, particularly in Hokkaido and the Tohoku region.

An abandoned hospital in Itoigawa, Niigata Prefecture, has become a popular destination for ghost hunters, causing concern among local residents. The former Himekawa Hospital, which closed in 2007 due to financial struggles, has been vandalized, with broken windows, graffiti, and frequent trespassing.

Construction has begun on a fence under the Glico sign in Osaka's Minami district, known as 'Gurishita,' to prevent loitering and address crime-related issues.