In the Nara period, Kokufu (provincial office) was established in Seta, and the timber for constructing the Heijo-kyo Palace came down from the mountains to the south of the lake such as Mt. Tanakami.
奈良時代には瀬田に国府が置かれ、田上山など湖南の山々は平城京造営の木材を搬出する場となる。