●Gio-ji Temple and Gioi-gawa River 90 Nakakita, Yasu City, Shiga Prefecture90

Sisters of Gio and Gijo were born as daughters of Tachibana Jiro Mochinaga in this place about 800 years ago. They lost their father in Hougen War, went to Kyoto with their mother becoming dancing girls and won Taira no Kiyomori's favor.

One day Gio was asked by Kiyomori whether she wants something or not. She asked him to draw a channel to her home country as people there were in trouble with water shortage. Then Kiyomori drew a channel from Yasu soon as he was putting effort into economic policy.

Thanks to this, water shortage in that area (Approximately 3,000tans) was solved and this area became one of the best rice-producing region in Omi. Ogi at 21 years old and Ojo at 19 years old at that time.

This channel was called "Gioigawa" and is still fertilizing rice fields.

On the monument in the site this Gio story is carved and Giou-ji Temple was built near by by the village people with a thankful heart.

Public transportation: JR Biwako Line, Yasu Station, change to Bus for 10 minute, 7 minutes walk from Ebe Stop

Car : 30 minutes from either Meishin Expressway Ritto IC or Ryuo IC