Lake Biwa and Its Surroundings: A Water Heritage Site of Life and Prayer

Water has long been worshipped as a edium for purification and healing. When Buddhism arrived in Japan from East Asia, the Buddha of Healing, Yakushi-Nyorai, was worshipped for his radiant astern Pure Land “water paradise” teachings. Many temples and shrines were built facing the “water paradise” of Lake Biwa and they remain a major attraction today. Local people have long adhered to a strict set of regulations to rotect the cleanliness of Biwa as their daily lives rely on its spring water and raditional mountain-fed water distribution systems.
The spectacular views of the shore and lakeside districts, overflowing with life, have long inspired art and gardens. Recently, these areas have also been attracting visitors who see in them a representation of the perfect harmony between humans and water. Here, one finds the essence of the rich history of Japanese “water culture.”