Operated by Shiga Prefecture's Board of Education, the Uminoko "Biwako Floating School" is an educational boat going on overnight voyages year-round on Lake Biwa, taking Shiga's 5th graders.
The first and original Uminoko ship was in operation from Aug. 2, 1983 to spring 2018 when it was retired. It was replaced by a new Uminoko ship (same name) in May 2018.