Shiga Prefecture

Shiga is a place in Japan.

It sits near a city called Kyoto.

A very big lake is in the middle.

This is Lake Biwa. It is the largest lake in Japan.

Many mountains are all around the land. Some mountains are very high. The highest one is Mount Ibuki.

The weather changes from north to south. The south is often warm. The north is cold with lots of snow.

There is a famous old castle here.

It is called Hikone Castle. It is a very special place to visit.

Shiga is a place in Japan.

It is in the Kansai region. It sits near Kyoto. Shiga is landlocked, which means it has no ocean coast.

Lake Biwa is in the center.

It is the largest freshwater lake in Japan. The lake takes up one-sixth of the land. Most rivers flow into the lake. One river, the Seta River, flows out of it.

High mountains surround the area. Mount Ibuki is the highest mountain here.

The weather changes from north to south. The south is usually warm. The north is cold and gets much snow. Many people go there to ski.

Shiga has many special things. Hikone Castle is a famous national treasure. You can also find yummy Ōmi beef there. In the north, you can see Nagahama.

This city has big festivals in April. People use large, fancy floats. Many people live in Otsu. It is the capital city of Shiga.

Shiga is a landlocked prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan.

It sits on the large island of Honshu. Shiga shares borders with several other places. To the north is Fukui Prefecture. To the northeast is Gifu Prefecture. To the southeast is Mie Prefecture. To the west is Kyoto Prefecture.

The capital city is Otsu. It is also the largest city in the area. Other big cities include Kusatsu, Nagahama, and Higashiōmi.

At the heart of Shiga is Lake Biwa.

This is the largest freshwater lake in all of Japan. The lake is huge and covers one-sixth of the land. Most rivers flow into the lake. Only one natural river, the Seta River, flows out of it. The lake divides the land into four areas. These areas are centered around Nagahama, Imazu, Hikone, and Otsu.

Mountains also surround the prefecture. The Ibuki Mountains are in the northeast. Mount Ibuki is the highest mountain in Shiga. The Hira Mountains and Mount Hiei sit in the west. The Suzuka Mountains are in the southeast.

Shiga has a very long and interesting history. It was once known as Omi Province. In the past, the Sasaki, Rokkaku, Kyōgoku, and Azai clans ruled the land. During the Azuchi-Momoyama period, Oda Nobunaga took control of Omi. He built Azuchi Castle on the eastern shores of Lake Biwa in 1579.

Later, a man named Ishida Mitsunari fought a famous battle in Sekigahara. In the 19th century, a leader named Ii Naosuke helped end Japan's isolation from the world. In 1872, the modern Shiga Prefecture was finally formed. It was named after the Shiga District.

There are many special things to see and do in Shiga. Hikone Castle is a famous national treasure.

You can also try tasty Ōmi beef. The prefecture is very green. In fact, 37% of the land is part of Natural Parks. This is the highest amount for any prefecture in Japan. The weather changes depending on where you are. The south is usually warm. The north is cold and gets lots of snow. Because of this, many people go to the north to ski. In the north, the village of Nakanokawachi once saw very deep snow.

Shiga is a busy and lively place. As of 2025, about 1,398,972 people live there. Many people live near the southern shore of Lake Biwa. They often travel to the nearby city of Kyoto for work. Shiga is also a place for learning. There are ten universities and many other schools. Some students even go to the Biwako Floating School. They board a ship called Uminoko to learn about the lake.

This helps them understand the plants and animals in the water.

Shiga Prefecture is a landlocked prefecture located in the Kansai region of Honshu, Japan.

It is a vital part of the Japanese landscape due to its unique geography and history. The prefecture is entirely surrounded by land. It borders Fukui Prefecture to the north and Gifu Prefecture to the northeast. To the southeast, it meets Mie Prefecture. To the west, it shares a border with Kyoto Prefecture. The capital and largest city is Ōtsu. Other significant urban centers include Kusatsu, Nagahama, and Higashiōmi.

At the center of the prefecture lies Lake Biwa.

This is the largest freshwater lake in Japan. The lake is so vast that it occupies one-sixth of the total land area. Most natural rivers in the region flow into the lake. However, the Seta River is the only natural river that flows out of it. The Seta River travels through Kyoto to reach Osaka Bay. The lake effectively divides Shiga into four distinct geographic areas. These regions are centered around Nagahama, Imazu, Hikone, and Ōtsu.

The geography of Shiga is defined by its diverse terrain and mountain ranges. The prefecture is enclosed by several important mountain systems. To the west, the Hira Mountains and Mount Hiei provide a natural boundary. In the northeast, the Ibuki Mountains are located. Mount Ibuki is the highest mountain within Shiga. The Suzuka Mountains sit to the southeast. These mountains contribute to a climate that varies sharply between the north and the south. The southern part of Shiga is generally warm. In contrast, the northern region is typically cold with heavy snowfall. This makes the north a popular location for many skiing grounds.

Shiga has a deep and complex history that predates the modern prefectural system. It was formerly known as Ōmi Province or Gōshū. Because it sat at the junction of western and eastern Japan, it was a neighbor to Nara and Kyoto. During the period from 667 to 672, Emperor Tenji established a palace in Ōtsu. Later, in 742, Emperor Shōmu founded a palace in Shigaraki. Various clans, such as the Sasaki, Rokkaku, Kyōgoku, and Azai, ruled the area over time. During the Azuchi-Momoyama period, Oda Nobunaga subjugated the province. In 1579, he constructed Azuchi Castle on the eastern shores of Lake Biwa.

The history of the region is also marked by significant political shifts. In 1600, Ishida Mitsunari fought against Tokugawa Ieyasu at the Battle of Sekigahara in Gifu. Following this battle, Ieyasu appointed Ii Naomasa as the new lord of Sawayama. This led to the establishment of the Hikone Domain. This domain became famous for the figure Ii Naosuke. In the 19th century, Naosuke served as the Tokugawa shogunate's Tairō. He concluded commercial treaties with Western powers, which ended Japan's period of isolation. The modern Shiga Prefecture was eventually formed in September 1872. This occurred after the abolition of the han system.

Today, Shiga is known for its natural beauty and significant cultural landmarks. A remarkable 37% of the total land area is designated as Natural Parks. This is the highest percentage of any prefecture in Japan. These include the Biwako and Suzuka Quasi-National Parks. Other parks include Kotō, Kutsuki-Katsuragawa, and Mikami-Tanakami-Shigaraki. Notable landmarks include Hikone Castle, which is one of only four national treasure castles in Japan.

Visitors also come to see the Eight Views of Ōmi and enjoy Ōmi beef. The prefecture is also home to the Biwako Floating School. This project uses a ship called Uminoko to teach students about the lake's ecosystem.

Shiga's economy and population are closely tied to its geography. As of February 1, 2025, the population is 1,398,972. Many residents live in the south near Kyoto, making Shiga part of the Greater Kyoto metropolitan area. This is the fourth-largest metropolitan area in Japan. The manufacturing sector is a major part of the economy. In 2014, manufacturing accounted for 35.4% of Shiga's economic production. This was the highest proportion in all of Japan. The prefecture also has a high life expectancy, recorded at 85.71 years in 2014.