Okishima Island is one of four island in Japans biggest and oldest lake - Biwako. People on the island have been fishing for generations. The island is home to It’s home to about three hundred and fifty people and is registered as a Japan Heritage site. The inhabitants of the island are the descendants of seven warriors and their families who fled to Okishima after being defeated in a battle near Kyodo in the middle of the 12th century. Their descendants still live on the island and most of the inhabitants bear one of the seven family names. Today, most of the islanders live from fishing. The fishing boats are anchored in the harbor and the nets are hung out to dry or repaired on the shore. In addition to fishing, the islanders cultivate small gardens with vegetables and fruit trees. The view of Lake Biwa and Mount Horaizan is spectacular and it is fun to stroll through the town and on the hiking trails along the coast. As there is no room for cars on the island, the residents get around on tricycles.