Okazaki Canal
Okazaki, Kyoto
The Okazaki stretch of the Lake Biwa Canal runs through Okazaki Park and under the giant Heian Shrine torii, with cherry trees along its banks. In cherry season, Jikkokubune boats run 25-minute, roughly 3 km round trips from the Nanzen-ji boat basin, with a guide explaining the canal's history.
Insider tip
The banks are free to walk any time. The 2026 boats ran from 20 March to 15 April, every 15 minutes from 9:30 to 16:30, at ¥2,000 for adults, with tickets sold online and at the pier on the day. Each boat seats 24.
What's on near Okazaki Canal
Upcoming events within a ten-minute walk of Okazaki Canal, from the weekly Kyoto events calendar.
Re:Kyoto Exhibition (November)
Re:京都博覧会 2026年11月
Time 9:00 to 16:00 Station Higashiyama (Tozai Line), 10 min walk
A one-day outdoor pop-up fair in Okazaki Park with art, vintage clothes, crafts, antiques, handmade goods, food and live music, held on the second Tuesday of the month.
Manish Prabhune, CC BY 2.0 MoMAK 3rd Collection Gallery Exhibition 2026
2026年度 第3回コレクション展
Time 10:00 to 18:00, Fridays to 20:00, last entry 30 minutes before closing, closed Mondays except Nov 23 and Jan 11, also Nov 24, Dec 29 to Jan 3 and Jan 12 Station Higashiyama (Tozai Line), 10 min walk
Collection Gallery exhibition in two terms, with the second term starting on December 1.
Wiiii, CC BY-SA 3.0 MoMAK Films: Stories That Begin with Accessories
MoMAK Films 装身具（アクセサリー）で始まる物語
Time Nov 21 at 11:00 and 14:00, Nov 22 at 11:00 and 14:00, doors 30 minutes before. Online booking requested, limited same-day tickets Station Higashiyama (Tozai Line), 10 min walk
Two screening programmes of Japanese films, 50 seats per screening.
Wiiii, CC BY-SA 3.0 KYOCERA Museum Collection Room Autumn: Museum Story, The Birth Cry of the City Museum
［2026秋期］コレクションルーム 特集「美術館物語 市美の産声」
Time 10:00 to 18:00, last entry 17:30, closed Mondays except public holidays Station Higashiyama (Tozai Line), 10 min walk
A collection room feature at the museum.
そらみみ, CC BY-SA 3.0 KYOCERA Museum Collection Room Winter: Painting Time, Modern Kyoto Lacquer
［2026冬期］コレクションルーム 特集「時を塗る－京都のうるしが映した近代」
Time 10:00 to 18:00, last entry 17:30, closed Mondays except public holidays Station Higashiyama (Tozai Line), 10 min walk
A collection room feature on lacquerware in modern Kyoto.
そらみみ, CC BY-SA 3.0 Smaller local events nearby
Kyoto University Museums Feature 7: Universities Are Treasure Boxes Exhibition
24 Oct to 20 Dec · Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design, Square, Okazaki
A joint exhibition marking the 15th anniversary of the Kyoto university museum partnership, held in the Square gallery at the Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design.
Map · Source: Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts · 京都・大学ミュージアム連携15周年記念 合同展 京都の大学ミュージアム特集7「大学は宝箱 - てわざ大集合 - 」
Coffee and Tableware 6th: Spin-off, Plates Take the Lead Exhibition
On now, until 30 Oct · Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design, MOCAD Gallery, Okazaki
A tableware exhibition in the MOCAD Gallery of the Kyoto Museum of Crafts and Design.
Map · Source: Kyoto Museum of Traditional Crafts · 「珈琲とうつわ」6th ～スピンオフ お皿が主役！～
Nearby
Around Okazaki
Art museums, Meiji gardens and Nanzen-ji along the Lake Biwa Canal
Okazaki is Kyoto's museum quarter. Two art museums sit either side of the approach to Heian Shrine, by its giant torii, and the zoo, a crafts museum and ROHM Theatre Kyoto are a few minutes away round Okazaki Park. Follow the Lake Biwa Canal east and you're at Nanzen-ji, with Eikan-do and Murin-an a short walk from its gate.
Okazaki has 27 places on the Roam Kyoto map: 9 shrines and temples, 6 museums, 4 restaurants, 2 cafes, 2 shops, 2 landmarks and 2 parks and gardens. Read the Okazaki guide.
Good to know
- How do I get to Okazaki Canal?
- The nearest station is Higashiyama (Tozai Line). Okazaki Canal is in Okazaki, Kyoto.
- How much does Okazaki Canal cost?
- Nothing. Okazaki Canal is free to visit.
- How long do you need at Okazaki Canal?
- Plan for 30 min.
- When is the best time to visit Okazaki Canal?
- Late March to mid April.
Stay near Okazaki Canal
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