Lake Biwa is the largest lake in Japan. It is located in the center of Shiga Prefecture. The northernmost tip of the lake is close to the Sea of Japan and the southernmost tip adjoins Kyoto.
So the lake had been used for water transportation from ancient times linking the Sea of Japan and the Kyoto area until the railroad was opened to traffic.
There are many historic towns and villages along the lake.
This time, I visited "Chikubu-shima" island located in the north of Lake Biwa. It's called a sacred island. There is a legend about the origin:
Once upon a time, two high mountains near the lake, Mt. Ibukiyama and Mt. Kimpunzan competed for the honor of the highest mountain. Mt. Ibukiyama lost. The goddess of the mountain got angry and cut off the head of the goddess of Mt. Kimpunzan who won.
The head fell into Lake Biwa and became the island, "Chikubu-shima". And the goddess was deified in the shrine of the island.
(Above: Tsukubusuma Shrine designated a national treasure)
I am very interested in legends related to origins of something that have been passed down from generation to generation.
The island is dotted with cultural heritages or legends:
(Above: Big tree planted 400 years ago by a famous warrior)
(Above: "Karamon" gate designated a national treasure)
(Above: Roofed passageway utilizing a ship of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the Chancellor at the end of 16th century)
(Above: Torii, Shinto shrine gate facing the lake)
You can enjoy throwing "Kawarake", or small unglazed plates. You write your wish for the future on the plates and throw them to the gate. It is said that if one of those plates successfully goes through the gate, your wish will be fulfilled.
For inquiries about Lake Biwa cruise: www.biwakokisen.co.jp/