Pearl Farms | Lake Biwa (Biwa-ko), Japan

Japan's Lake Biwa or Lake Biwako region on the island of Honshu, is known for its freshwater pearl farming industry. Lake Biwa is situated to the immediate north of Kyoto, in the Shiga prefecture of Japan. Pearl production on Lake Biwa took place around Ohmi-Hachiman (Biwa-ko Quasi National Park), between the cities of Kusatsu and Hikone.

Pearl oysters are cultivated in Nishino-ko lake and the canal marshes of the Suigo (Lakeside District) near Ohmi-hachiman, Azuchi and Oki-shima island. The Suigo Lakeside canals near Nishinoko lake offer one of the "Eight Best Scenic Views of Lake Biwa."

The satellite image below shows Nishino ko lake at the center, with Oki-shima (Okishima) island in the upper left corner.