According to the legend "Akechi Samanosuke no Kosui Watari" (Samanosuke AKECHI's Crossing of Lake), when he moved to Sakamoto-jo Castle, he avoided the roads occupied by the soldiers of Hideyoshi, and instead crossed Lake Biwa on horseback.
坂本城へ移動する際、秀吉の兵で満ちていた道を避け、琵琶湖の湖上を馬で越えたという『明智左馬助の湖水渡り』伝説が残されている。