Biwa-ko 琵琶湖

Lake Biwa / Biwa-See

Lake Biwa, located northeast of Kyôto in Shiga prefecture, is the largest freshwater and inland lake in the country with an area of 675 km². Biwa-ko forms the  “Biwa Quasi-National Park” with its surrounding area. On its eastern shore are the old castle towns of Hikone and Azuchi and at the southern tip of the lake the industrial and tourist center of Ôtsu City. Behind the seaside resort of Ogoto-onsen is Mount Hiei, steeped in history.