Japan: The Lake Biwa Marsh, an Ideal Ecological Refuge for Photography
- Olivier
- Nov 10, 2017
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 21
The Lake Biwa Marsh, also known as the "Wetland", refers to a marshland ecosystem located to the north of Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. Classified as a Ramsar priority site, this wetland area is also a prime location for wildlife and landscape photographers. For many years, the marshes of Lake Biwa have been my sanctuary, a place where water, earth, and sky converge in a silent, eternal dialogue.
The Biwako Marsh is a living archive of time and water. Here, the wild trees, their roots submerged in the shallows, stand as sentinels of resilience, their gnarled forms sculpted by the harsh embrace of winter, wind, and time. As a minimalist photographer, I am drawn not just to their visual poetry or their narrative of survival, but to their untouched beauty.
The Biwako Marsh (Biwako means Lake Biwa in Japanese), is obviously a magnificent landscape for photographers. But it is also, above all, a living archive of Japan’s ecological and cultural soul. Designated a Ramsar site, this marshland is a rare jewel. This is a place where biodiversity thrives, where the past whispers through the reeds, and where every season paints a new chapter in an ancient tale.
A Cradle of Life
Lake Biwa is one of the world’s oldest lakes, its waters cradling life for over 4 million years. From the Biwa trout and nigorobuna carp to the microscopic ostracods and ciliates, each species plays a vital role in the delicate balance of this wetland. Within its marshes, more than 3.100 species have been recorded, with over 2.300 aquatic or semi-aquatic. 62 of these are endemic (found nowhere else on Earth) while another 84 are suspected to be unique to this ancient ecosystem. The lake’s biodiversity is definitely a symphony of interdependence.
Each year, the marshes welcome over 5.000 waterbirds, including rare and endangered species. The reeds, standing tall at up to 4 meters, provide shelter and nesting grounds, while the shallow waters teem with fish and invertebrates, provide food for the journey ahead. The marsh is a critical stopover on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway, a lifeline for birds migrating between Siberia and Australia.
The Threat of Invasive Species
Yet, this sanctuary is under siege. Invasive species like largemouth bass and bluegill, introduced from North America, have disrupted the natural order, pushing many endemic fish and mollusks to the brink. Over 60% of Lake Biwa’s endemic species are now classified as critically endangered, endangered, or vulnerable. For some years, the battle to preserve this ecosystem has been about safeguarding a legacy.
Protection and Conservation
The Ramsar Designation
The Ramsar Convention is a global commitment to the wise use of wetlands. This Convention is officially named the "Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat". It was established by an international treaty signed in 1971 by numerous countries in the city of Ramsar (Iran). The convention includes a variety of wetland habitats, such as marshes, peatlands, lakes, rivers, estuaries, and even coral reef areas and other marine environments. There are over 2300 recognized sites worldwide.
Lake Biwa’s inclusion in 1993 was a recognition of its international significance, not just as a habitat, but as a cultural and ecological treasure. The designation covers 65,984 hectares, encompassing freshwater lakes, low moors, and reedbeds that purify water and nurture life.
Local Efforts: From Legislation to Community Action
Japan’s response has been multifaceted. Here are two major examples:
The lake Biwa Day
Lake Biwa Day is an annual observance held on July 1st. It commemorates the enforcement of the Lake Biwa Eutrophication Prevention Ordinance, enacted in 1981 and first enforced on July 1, 1982. It is a landmark piece of legislation aimed at protecting the lake’s water quality by regulating nitrogen and phosphorus pollution from agricultural, industrial, and household sources.
The Biwa Point System
The Biwa Point system is a volunteer incentive program that rewards individuals and groups for engaging in environmental conservation activities around Lake Biwa. Participants earn "Biwa Points" (a virtual or token-based currency) for actions such as:
Removing invasive aquatic weeds.
Cleaning up litter or plastic waste along the shores.
Participating in reedbed restoration or wetland preservation projects.
These points can often be exchanged for local goods, services, or discounts, or used to support further conservation efforts. The system aims to foster a sense of shared responsibility and active stewardship among residents, businesses, and visitors, turning environmental care into a tangible, community-driven effort.
The Role of Reedbeds and Trails
If the reeds of Lake Biwa are a picturesque backdrop, they are the lungs of the marsh, filtering pollutants and providing refuge for young fish and birds. Trails and observation posts, carefully placed to minimize human impact, offer windows into this world.
They also constitute places where photographers and nature lovers can witness the marsh’s magic without disturbing its fragile balance. What many wildlife photographers do, through their magnificent images, goes beyond artistic value: their work creates a comprehensive inventory of the bird and mammal species that inhabit these places.
Historical Significance
Lake Biwa’s story is not just written in water and reed, but in the lives of those who have called its shores home for millennia. For over 10.000 years, this ancient lake has been a cradle of civilization, a route for trade and pilgrimage, and a wellspring of artistic and spiritual inspiration.
The Jomon people (5000-3000 BCE), Japan’s earliest settlers, left traces of their lives in shell middens and pottery along its banks. Later generations wove the lake into the very identity of the region, from the epic poems of the Man’yoshu to the haunting beauty of The Tale of Genji, where Murasaki Shikibu immortalized its misty shores as "Nionoumi", the Lake of Little Grebes.
The Kabata system*, a marvel of pre-modern engineering, channeling spring water while embodying a philosophy of harmony between humans and nature is another example of the historical significance of the lake. Even today, festivals like the Lake Biwa Grand Fireworks and seasonal rituals at riverside districts such as Suigo in Omi-Hachiman reflect a deep, enduring bond between the land, its people, and the rhythms of the lake.
*What is the Kabata System?
The Kabata system is a traditional Japanese method of channeling fresh spring water directly into homes, fields, and even fish ponds, creating a living network of flowing water that nourishes both people and the land. Originating in the communities around Lake Biwa, this ingenious practice reflects a deep understanding of the lake’s hydrology and a reverence for water as a shared, sacred resource. By harnessing gravity and natural gradients, Kabata not only provided clean water for drinking, cooking, and bathing but also sustained carp in household ponds, blending utility with beauty.
The Lake Biwa Marsh and Photography
For artists and writers, the marsh is a important source of inspiration. Its ever-changing moods (mist-shrouded dawns, storm-lashed afternoons, frost-kissed winters) have inspired poems, paintings, and, in my case, photographs.
Each season offers a different palette. Spring brings the return of migratory birds, their calls filling the air. Summer’s lush greens and dragonflies (over 100 species in Shiga Prefecture alone) create a vibrant tapestry. Autumn’s golden reeds and the soft light of dusk offer a different kind of magic. Yet, it is winter’s stark beauty that lingers in my heart and my work. Winter is when the marsh reveals its soul. The morning light transforms the landscape into a surreal dreamscape.
It is in these quiet months that I find myself most at home. In these unique moments, the marsh and I are engaged in a silent dialogue, my camera a bridge between the seen and the unseen. The trees, their roots anchored in the shallows, seem to converse with the wind and water. Their forms become a testament to the passage of time. Read my article on my two decades with the trees in visual dialogue, here.
The Final Word
The Biwako Marsh is a testament to the resilience of nature and the spirit of place. For photographers, it is a canvas of endless inspiration. For ecologists, it is a laboratory of life. For all of us, it is a reminder of what we stand to lose if we do not act with care and reverence.
As I continue my photographic journey along its shores, I am ever more committed to capturing not just the beauty of this place, but its story, a story of survival, of quiet resistance, and of the enduring dialogue between land, water, and sky. Each photograph I take is an humble act of witness, a way to honor the wild trees and hidden landscapes that define Lake Biwa’s untamed heart. Through my lens, I seek to preserve their legacy, ensuring that their silent strength and ecological wisdom are never forgotten.
