Shiga Prefecture

Shiga Prefecture 滋賀県
Prefecture
Japanese transcription(s)
• Japanese	滋賀県
• Rōmaji	Shiga-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
Flag Symbol
Anthem: Shiga kenmin no uta
Country	Japan
Region	Kansai
Island	Honshu
Capital	Ōtsu
Subdivisions	Districts: 3, Municipalities: 19
Government
• Governor	Taizō Mikazuki
Area
• Total	4,017.38 km2 (1,551.12 sq mi)
• Rank	38th
Population  (October 1, 2015)
• Total	1,412,916
• Rank	28th
• Density	350/km2 (910/sq mi)
GDP [1]
• Total	JP¥ 6,923 billion US$ 63.5 billion (2019)
ISO 3166 code	JP-25
Website	http://www.pref.shiga.lg.jp
Symbols of Japan
Bird	Little grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)
Flower	Rhododendron (Rhododendron metternichii var. hondoense)
Tree	Japanese 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 (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.