Lake Biwa is the largest body of fresh water in Japan. There's a town, Harie in Shiga Prefecture, on its northwestern shore, with a constant sound of water. Canals run throughout the town ...

MAIBARA, Shiga Prefecture--Tiny white aquatic flowers are in full bloom in the clear waters of the Jizogawa river, which runs through a historic district here. Visitors enjoyed the picturesque ...

Shiga Prefecture, site of Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake, is home to centuries-old crafts like Shigaraki ware and Wana velvet. We explore an island in the lake by tricycle before climbing into ...

NAGAHAMA, Shiga -- Production of silk strings for traditional Japanese instruments such as the shamisen and koto is at its seasonal peak in this western Japan town. At the workshop of Marusan ...

RYUO, Shiga Prefecture--Embattled Daihatsu Motor ... Night-shift work will be suspended. In Ryuo, a town of a little more than 10,000 residents, the Daihatsu plant employs about 4,000 full-time ...