Lake Biwa is the largest freshwater lake in Japan. It is located entirely within Shiga Prefecture, northeast of the former capital city of Kyoto. Lake Biwa is an ancient lake, over 4 million years old. It is estimated to be the 13th oldest lake in the world. Because of its proximity to Kyoto, references to Lake Biwa appear frequently in Japanese literature, particularly in poetry and in historical accounts of battles.
Lake Biwa from space
Lake Biwa aerial view
The giant Lake Biwa catfish is the largest predatory fish in the lake and is found nowhere else.
Lake Biwa at Chomeiji-cho, Ōmihachiman
Shiga Prefecture is a landlocked prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region of Honshu. Shiga Prefecture has a population of 1,412,916 and has a geographic area of 4,017 km2 (1,551 sq mi). Shiga Prefecture borders Fukui Prefecture to the north, Gifu Prefecture to the northeast, Mie Prefecture to the southeast, and Kyoto Prefecture to the west.
The floating pavilion of Mangetsu-ji on the shores of Lake Biwa, the largest freshwater lake in Japan, located in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture
Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture viewed from space
The prefectural government building in Ōtsu City
Merchant mansions in Omihachiman
