Agriculture, forestry, and fisheries in Shiga that coexist with Japan’s largest lake, Lake Biwa

 Shiga Prefecture is located close to the center of Japan. Surrounded by mountains, the prefecture is home to Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest lake with an area of 670 km2 situated in the middle of the prefecture. The lake, with approximately 450 large and small rivers flowing into it, covers about one-sixth of the prefecture’s area.

 Lake Biwa is one of the most ancient lakes in the world formed by crustal movements and has a long history of four million years or so. Boasting over 60 endemic species, the lake offers a valuable natural environment, and its water is used for daily activities, industry, and agriculture. It is a national asset indispensable to the livelihoods and industrial development of the 14.5 million people in the Kinki region, including the surrounding areas of Shiga Prefecture.

The reed areas and paddy fields around the lakeshore have long provided a perfect breeding environment for lake fish such as Nigorobuna carp, an endemic species of Lake Biwa. The traditional fishing method in the lake, eri fishing, is a passive “waiting” style of fishing utilizing the ecology of fish that migrate to the reed areas and paddy fields for breeding. This method is friendly to fishery resources as it does not aggressively catch fish and helps prevent overfishing.

Many different fish species are found not only in Lake Biwa but also in the rivers flowing into the lake. Additionally, many fish head upstream from Lake Biwa for breeding. Efforts to conserve water source forests such as collaborative tree planting activities with fishers, forestry companies, and prefectural residents, and forestation activities by companies are contributing to the conservation of habitats and breeding environments for fish living in rivers.

Many farmers are working on methods to produce agricultural products with less than half the usual amount of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Rice and vegetables produced through these efforts are called “Lake to Land-Focused Environmentally Sound Agricultural Produce.” Since the start of this initiative, chemically synthesized pesticides used in the prefecture has decreased by about 40%, creating an environment that is friendly to the fish living in Lake Biwa and rice paddies.

In the “Fish Cradle Rice Paddies,” weirs (fish ladders) to the waterways have been installed and the traditional scene of fish crawling up to the paddy fields can be still seen. A variety of living creatures nurtured in the paddies plays an important role in preserving biodiversity.

This connection between forests, rivers, paddy fields, and lakes is extremely valuable in the world and has been passed on for over 1,000 years. Shiga Prefecture is actively working to share this system with the rest of the world in order to address the global issue of the sustainable use of freshwater resources. For example, in addition to disseminating information to the world at international conferences, we accept trainees from overseas for JICA’s local training* on water quality/ecosystem conservation and fisheries such as eri fishing, as part of global collaborating efforts.

* JICA thematic training: “Integrated Lake, River and Coastal Basin Management for Sustainable Use and Preservation of Water Resources”

A total of 28 trainees from 21 countries participated from 2017 to 2019.

(Including from Egypt, Brazil, India, Iraq, Indonesia, Mexico, Panama, and North Macedonia)

　Around Lake Biwa, the combination of fisheries and agriculture has contributed to the development of a distinctive cuisine culture, in which lake fish are cooked with agricultural products such as “fish and rice” and “shrimp and beans.” 

 The centerpiece of the traditional cuisine culture that represents the Lake Biwa System is narezushi, a preserved food made by pickling lake fish in rice for fermenting. In recent years, narezushi, which is rich in lactic acid bacteria, has been revalued for its health benefits.

 The most famous type of local narezushi is funazushi made of crucian carp. It is famous as unique food culture throughout Japan and is considered as the origin of Japanese sushi. Narezushi uses lake fish other than crucian carp. A variety of narezushi includes hasuzushi, morokozushi, koayuzushi, oikawa mezushi, uguizushi, and biwamasu kokerazushi. They are also used as gifts and ritual offerings.

The food culture emblematic of the Lake Biwa System’s natural circulation has also contributed to bringing people together through rites and festivals. The Sushi-kiri Festival, held on May 5th every year at Shimonikawa Shrine (Sazukawa, Moriyama City, Shiga) is a traditional ritual featuring funazushi. It is known as a rare and unique festival nationwide.

The origin of the Sushi-kiri Festival is said to be as follows. When the enshrined deity, Toyokiirihiko no Mikoto, arrived in this area, the villagers presented funazushi. The god was so pleased with the local dish that he named this place Sazukawa, a river of fortune.

The highlight of the festival is a ritual in which two young men wearing kamishimo (formal samurai garment) cut funazushi (difficult to cut due to its softness) with a kitchen knife and long chopsticks to offer it to the altar. They silently synchronize their movements and cut the funazushi without touching it with their hands. Since the food is a sacred offering to a god, touching it with one’s hands is forbidden. In front of the altar, with many spectators watching, the cutters devote their full attention to the ritual gestures.

The sushi cutters are chosen from local young people. The locals thus pass on the ritual gestures to the next generation and continue to hold the festival with great care. Nowadays, the circle of cooperation fostered in the community through the festival also leads to conservation activities for the Lake Biwa System by involving diverse entities.

Shiga Prefecture boasts nationally renowned product brands such as Omi rice and lake fish. On the following site, you can also search for information on production areas, shops, and restaurants dealing with such products. We hope you will enjoy Shiga brand for yourself.

▼ Treasure Trove of Delicious Ingredients, Blessings of Shiga - Yell Market - Yahoo! JAPAN

https://yellmarket.yahoo.co.jp/speciallist/shiga/shiganosachi/

▼ Agricultural Heritage Tourism - Facilities and shops where you can experience the Lake Biwa System and taste products

▼Tasty Shiga Collections - Shops and direct sales stores in Shiga where you can buy, go to eat, and enjoy food products

https://shigaquo.jp/