Lake Biwa

Welcome to Lake Biwa, or Biwako, the largest freshwater lake in Japan and one of the oldest lakes in the world, dating back approximately four million years. Situated in Shiga Prefecture, just a short distance from the ancient…

We start our lakeside journey at Otsu Port, the historic gateway to Lake Biwa. Since the Edo period, Otsu has served as a critical logistics hub, where goods from the northern provinces were transferred to Kyoto. …

Heading north along the western shore, we reach Biwako Valley, a destination that offers a dramatic shift in perspective. To reach the summit of Mount Uchimi at 1,100 meters, we board one of Japan’s fastest ropeways. …

Descending back to the lake’s edge, we find one of the most iconic spiritual sites in Shiga: Ukimido, the 'Floating Hall' of Mangetsu-ji Temple. The hall is built on stilts directly over the water, connected to the shore by a…

Continuing north, we encounter the Shirahige Shrine, often called the 'Itsukushima of the North.' The shrine’s most striking feature is its massive vermillion 'torii' gate, which stands several meters out in the lake. Founded…

The northern reaches of Lake Biwa, known as 'Kohoku,' offer a more rural and rugged charm. One of the region's modern landmarks is the Meta-sequoia Avenue in Takashima City. …

No exploration of Lake Biwa is complete without a journey through its unique culinary landscape. The star of the show is undoubtedly Omi Beef, one of Japan’s three 'Top Wagyu' brands along with Kobe and Matsusaka. …

As we conclude our tour of Lake Biwa, we return to the concept of the 'Mother Lake.' Throughout our journey, from the modern terraces of Biwako Valley to the ancient stilts of Ukimido, we have seen how this body of water is woven…