【Biwa Lake Museum】A Place to Experience Everything About Japan’s Largest Lake, Biwa

Experience the Freshwater Ecosystem, Environment, and Local Lifestyle

A Exhibition Room: 4 Million Years of the Lake and Us – The Ever-Changing Lake Biwa

This exhibit vividly recreates ancient Lake Biwa through geological specimens, including fossils. A special highlight is a corner dedicated to the lake as it existed about two million years ago, where visitors can walk through a diorama and experience what it would have been like to travel back in time.

B Exhibition Room: 20,000 Years of the Lake and Us – The History of Nature and Daily Life

This section explores the long-standing connection between nature and human life in the Omi region, with historical artifacts displayed alongside a narrative told through the message of a “dragon.” The collection of wooden tools and fishing gear, a particular pride of Shiga Prefecture, showcases an abundance of actual historical items. The AR (Augmented Reality) section allows visitors to use tablets or smartphones to see Maruko-bune, the traditional sailing boats of the Edo period, as well as the surrounding landscapes of the lake from centuries ago.

C Exhibition Room: The Present Lake and Us – Nature Connected to Our Lives

This exhibition unravels the connections between human life, Lake Biwa, and its creatures through dioramas and real specimens. A farmhouse recreated to reflect life in the 1950s helps visitors experience the changes in daily life over time. The centerpiece of the exhibition, a collection of preserved specimens, showcases the incredible diversity and beauty of the creatures that inhabit Lake Biwa and its watershed.

Aquarium Exhibition Room: The Present Lake and Us – Freshwater Creatures and Daily Life

This exhibit features one of Japan’s largest freshwater aquariums, displaying over 100 species of aquatic life, including nearly all native fish from Lake Biwa and the rivers of Shiga Prefecture. Additionally, it introduces various aspects of lake fish cuisine and food culture, providing a glimpse into how humans and aquatic life have coexisted over time. Visitors are invited to immerse themselves in the fascinating underwater world of Lake Biwa and its rivers.

Discovery Room: A Space for Exploration and Learning for All Ages

The Discovery Room serves as the “gateway to the museum,” offering a hands-on space where visitors can engage their five senses to make new discoveries. The aim is to encourage young visitors to enjoy museums from an early age, fostering a lifelong appreciation for learning.

In the “Find the Shape of Life” corner, visitors can carefully observe familiar creatures from daily life. In the “Listen” corner, they can explore the mechanisms behind the various sounds animals make. Other activities include pretending to be a crayfish, touching real fossils, and engaging in other hands-on explorations.

The “Adult Discovery” area is a sophisticated space designed for grown-ups to enjoy learning as well. Visitors can closely examine a variety of specimens, including insects, birds, plants, and minerals, and study them in detail using microscopes.

Explore the Outdoor Exhibits and Observe Nature Up Close

With its prime location overlooking the lake, Biwa Lake Museum offers a unique outdoor experience. After exploring the indoor exhibits, visitors can step outside to feel the breeze of Lake Biwa, walk through the forested outdoor exhibits, and observe the vast landscape, as well as the plants and animals that call the area home.

The “Life Experiment Workshop” features traditional houses recreated to offer insight into lifestyles closely connected with nature. Visitors can also explore the “Primeval Forest,” which reproduces a forest from approximately 1.8 million years ago when elephants roamed the region. Additionally, the “Jomon and Yayoi Forest” recreates the landscapes of Japan’s prehistoric Jomon and Yayoi periods.

To make the experience even more engaging for children, the museum provides the “Biwa Lake Museum Forest Exploration Map.” Using the map, young adventurers can search for interesting landmarks, such as “The World’s Largest Growing Tree” and “A Jomon Period Favorite Snack!”

Join Observation and Learning Programs

Throughout the year, the museum hosts various observation tours, study sessions, and seminars.

The “Exciting Exploration Team” offers activities enjoyable for both children and adults. Each session features different themes, such as observing wildlife or creating specimen boxes, making every visit a unique learning experience. Through these diverse activities, visitors can deepen their understanding of Lake Biwa’s nature, wildlife, and local culture in an engaging and enjoyable way.

For young children and their guardians, the museum hosts “Little Children’s Nature Play (Chikoaso)” once a month. This program provides a relaxed environment where children can interact with nature, using their five senses to touch, feel, and appreciate the beauty of the natural world.

Additionally, the museum offers a program that allows participants to engage with traditional farming practices through the use of actual rice paddies and rural facilities. In the “Rice Paddy Experience,” visitors can learn about traditional farm life and experience farming activities firsthand, while also discovering the creatures that inhabit these agricultural spaces.

For information on participation and registration, please visit the museum’s website.

Photo Credit: Biwa Lake Museum