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Lake Biwa was named because its shape resembles a Japanese four stringed lute called a Biwa. Freshwater oysters produce beautiful pearls in the depths, said to be 104m deep. The Lake Biwa Museum in Kusatsu houses one of the largest freshwater aquariums in Japan. Galleries include a discovery center for children and rooms dedicated to the history and ecology of the Lake Biwa region. Admission for adults is just Y600 with discounts for students and large groups. Entry is from 9:30 to 4:30 most days, check the website for details. A team of 34 researchers at the museum are dedicated to collecting information about the flora, fauna, and ecology of the region, and there is a historical picture database maintained via the museum website.Hikone is one of the most popular tourist areas in Japan, convenient to Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka and known for natural beauty and hot springs. Lucky to have caught the eye of the Emperor himself, Hikone Castle is one of the few surviving castles from the Edo period. Most were dismantled during the later Meiji restoration. In 1989 fifteen universities from the State of Michigan joined with the government of Shiga Prefecture to create the Michigan Center, a language and cultural mecca for both American and Japanese students. The City of Hikone, situated on the eastern shore of Lake Biwa, the area was first settled more than 8000 years ago. More than 15 shrines and temples dot Hikone. Hikone is famous for relaxing onsen, traditional Japanese hot spring baths.
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