Kitakami Canal

Japanese: 北上運河 - きたかみうんが

This canal connects Takayashiki, Hebita, Ishinomaki City, about 8 kilometers upstream from the old mouth of the Kitakami River in central Miyagi Prefecture, and Nobiru, Higashimatsushima City, at the mouth of the Naruse River. It is 12.8 kilometers long. It was excavated as a route to connect the Kitakami River with the construction of Nobiru Port, which began in 1878 (Meiji 11), and was completed in 1882. After its opening, small steamships began operating and the canal flourished as a cargo and passenger transport route. However, with the decline of shipping on the Kitakami River following the opening of the Tohoku Line and the failure of the construction of Nobiru Port, it fell into disuse, and now only small boats pass through.

[Yuji Goto]

Kitakami Canal in the Meiji Period
Near Ishii Lock, located at the starting point of the canal and the branch point with the old Kitakami River. Hebita Village, Oshika County, Miyagi Prefecture (present-day Hebita, Ishinomaki City). "Photographic Album of Miyagi Prefecture Commemorating the Visit of the Crown Prince" (1908 (Meiji 41)) owned by the National Diet Library .

Kitakami Canal in the Meiji Period

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

Japanese:

宮城県中部、旧北上川河口より約8キロメートル上流の石巻市(いしのまきし)蛇田(へびた)高屋敷と鳴瀬(なるせ)川河口の東松島市(ひがしまつしまし)野蒜(のびる)の間を結ぶ運河。全長12.8キロメートル。1878年（明治11）に着工した野蒜築港に伴い北上川とを結ぶルートとして開削され、1882年に完成した。開通後、小型汽船が就航し貨客輸送で栄えた。しかし、東北線の開通による北上川舟運の衰退と野蒜築港の失敗によって廃れ、現在は小舟が通るのみである。

［後藤雄二］

明治時代の北上運河
運河の起点、旧北上川との分岐点にある石井閘門付近。宮城県牡鹿郡蛇田村（現在の石巻市蛇田）。『東宮行啓記念宮城県写真帖』（1908年〈明治41〉）国立国会図書館所蔵">

明治時代の北上運河

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