Shiga Prefecture

Shiga Prefecture
滋賀県
Japanese transcription(s)
 • Japanese滋賀県
 • RōmajiShiga-ken
The floating pavilion of Mangetsu-ji on the shores of Lake Biwa, the largest freshwater lake in Japan, located in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture
The floating pavilion of Mangetsu-ji on the shores of Lake Biwa, the largest freshwater lake in Japan, located in Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture
Flag of Shiga Prefecture
Official logo of Shiga Prefecture
Anthem: Shiga kenmin no uta
Location of Shiga Prefecture
CountryJapan
RegionKansai
IslandHonshu
CapitalŌtsu
SubdivisionsDistricts: 3, Municipalities: 19
Government
 • GovernorTaizō Mikazuki
Area
 • Total
4,017.38 km2 (1,551.12 sq mi)
 • Rank38th
Population
 (October 1, 2015)
 • Total
1,412,916
 • Rank28th
 • Density350/km2 (910/sq mi)
GDP
 • TotalJP¥ 6,923 billion
US$ 63.5 billion (2019)
ISO 3166 codeJP-25
Websitehttp://www.pref.shiga.lg.jp
Symbols of Japan
BirdLittle grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
FlowerRhododendron (Rhododendron metternichii var. hondoense)
TreeJapanese maple (Acer palmatum)

Shiga Prefecture (滋賀県, Shiga-ken) is a landlocked prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region of Honshu.[2] Shiga Prefecture has a population of 1,412,916 as of 1 October 2015 and has a geographic area of 4,017 km2 (1,551 sq mi). Shiga Prefecture borders Fukui Prefecture to the north, Gifu Prefecture to the northeast, Mie Prefecture to the southeast, and Kyoto Prefecture to the west.

Ōtsu is the capital and largest city of Shiga Prefecture, with other major cities including Kusatsu, Nagahama, and Higashiōmi.[3] Shiga Prefecture encircles Lake Biwa, the largest freshwater lake in Japan, and 37% of the total land area is designated as Natural Parks, the highest of any prefecture. Shiga Prefecture's southern half is located adjacent to the former capital city of Kyoto and forms part of Greater Kyoto, the fourth-largest metropolitan area in Japan. Shiga Prefecture is home to Ōmi beef, the Eight Views of Ōmi, and Hikone Castle, one of four national treasure castles in Japan.

  1. ^ "2020年度国民経済計算(2015年基準・2008SNA) : 経済社会総合研究所 - 内閣府". 内閣府ホームページ (in Japanese). Retrieved 2023-05-18.
  2. ^ Nussbaum, Louis-Frédéric. (2005). "Shiga-ken" in Japan Encyclopedia, p. 853, p. 853, at Google Books; "Kansai" at Japan Encyclopedia, p. 477, p. 477, at Google Books.
  3. ^ Nussbaum, "Ōtsu" at Japan Encyclopedia, p. 765, p. 765, at Google Books.