With a surface of 670.33 km², the Lake Biwa from the Shiga Prefecture is the largest lake in Japan. Because of its size, in the past it was also named Chikatsu Awaumi, which means the “freshwater sea near the capital", because it is located quite close to the old capital of Kyoto.

The Biwa name comes from a monk from the 14th century, who noted that the lake is shaped like the Japanese traditional instrument biwa. Which is amazing, because the Lake Biwa seen from the space looks indeed like a biwa, but of course, the monk wasn’t able to see it from such an angle…

Lake Biwa, view from Hikone Castle, Hikone

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Yesterday’s Japan Photo: ICOCA 10 years anniversary and some travel tips