Lake Biwa, in Shiga Prefecture, is Japan’s largest lake, providing water for thousands of households, irrigation for farms, and recreation for throngs of visitors every year. One popular attraction are the large tour paddleboats that show visitors the lake’s many sights. On the second Saturday of March each year, a ceremony known as Biwako Biraki, or the opening of Lake Biwa, is held to celebrate the lake’s natural beauty and to give thanks for the enjoyment and resources it provides.