Lake Biwa is a large freshwater lake in Shiga Prefecture, northeast of Kyoto. It’s known for its abundant fish population, migratory water birds and wetland regions. Its shoreline is home to resorts and beaches like Ōmi-Maiko. Around the lake are historic sites including the 17th-century Hikone castle and the 8th-century Buddhist temple complex Enryaku-ji. Lake Biwa Museum has cultural and natural history exhibits.