9 SPECIAL PREFECTURES

Life in Shiga revolves around the pristine waters of the ocean-like Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest freshwater lake. National Treasure Hikone Castle overlooks the vast lake, while small boats still ply the maze of canals of Omi Hachiman, a merchant town which holds a raucous festival every March. One of Lake Biwa’s icons is the Shirahige Shrine’s red Torii Gate, which seems to float in the water, and there’s the Koka ninja village too, dating back to the 15th century.