Suirokaku, also known as the Kyoto aqueduct, was designed by Japanese civil engineer Sakuro Tanabe in 1890. The red-brick aqueduct was designed to transport water from Lake Biwa to Kyoto, aiding in the modernization of the city's infrastructure. For his work on the Lake Biwa Canal, including the design of Suirokaku, Tanabe was awarded a Telford Medal by the British Institution of Civil Engineers.
The Suirokaku aqueduct is notable for its distinctive Romanesque arches, a rare sight in Japan, creating a visually captivating contrast against the serene, wooded surroundings of the Nanzen-ji temple grounds.
red brick Suirokaku with its distinctive Romanesque arches
In 2005, the aqueduct was designated a National Historic Site.
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