Horikawa Canal

This canal connects the mouth of the Hiroto River to Aburatsu Port. The canal, built on the order of Obi Domain lord Ito Sukezane in 1686, took around two years to complete. Aburatsu has flourished since ancient times as a key port. The canal was built by Obi Domain to efficiently transport Obi cedar and serves as a symbol of Aburatsu. At the time it was built, canal excavation was no easy task, and it is said that digging out the bedrock below the vicinity of Ahiratsu Shrine was particularly difficult. The canal is about a 15-minute walk from Aburatsu Station. Today, the canal is used as a shooting location for movies, and as a shelter for fishing boats during typhoons.