Okishima, Lake island in Shiga Prefecture, Japan
Okishima rises up to 225 meters above Lake Biwa and forms the largest inhabited freshwater island in Japan. The island extends across the water and is surrounded by hills that climb directly from the shore.
The community existed already in prehistoric times and developed as an isolated fishing settlement within the lake. Over the centuries the island remained largely self-sufficient and preserved its traditions.
Residents here make their living mostly through fishing and use techniques passed down over generations. Many houses across the island show traditional wooden construction with narrow lanes running between buildings.
Ferries run from Horikiriko port multiple times each day, with different schedules on weekdays and Sundays. The crossing takes about half an hour and allows visitors to make a day trip with time to explore the island paths.
Around 350 people share the island with a large number of cats that roam freely through the lanes. This combination of human settlement and animal presence makes the place a special community in Japanese inland waters.
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