Island of the Seven Ancient Samurai

Okishima Island’s Fascinating Secret.

Covering a surface of some 674 square kilometers and taking up most of centrally located Shiga Prefecture’s mass is Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest natural freshwater lake. Biwa is believed to be one of the the world’s oldest lakes, dating back over four million years. Shaped like a four stringed Chinese lute, known as a biwa, hence the great basin’s name, Lake Biwa is also known as the Inland, or the Freshwater Sea.

Within the lake are a number of islands, one is Okishima, a registered Japan Heritage site. Located two kilometers off the eastern shore, Okishima is unique in being the only inhabited lake island in Japan. Some 70% of the current 350 remaining residents make their living from fishing the lake. This is the only place in Japan where a freshwater lake fishing industry has formed and remains, and so the lifestyle of the islanders has been designated an Important Cultural Heritage.