Shiga Prefecture

is a prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan on the island of Honshu. The capital is the city of Ōtsu.
History.
Shiga used to be called Ōmi Province or "Gōshū" before Japan began using the prefectural system.
Geography.
Shiga borders Fukui Prefecture in the north Gifu Prefecture is in the east. Mie Prefecture is in the southeast. Kyoto Prefecture is in the west.
Lake Biwa is at the center of this prefecture. The lake divides the prefecture into four areas: 
Cities.
Cities in Shiga Prefecture include
National Parks.
National Parks are established in about 37% of the total land area of the prefecture.
Education.
There are ten universities, two junior colleges, and a learning center of The Open University of Japan in Shiga.
Sister states.
Shiga has agreements with three states.
Shrines and Temples.
"Takebe jinja" is the chief Shinto shrine ("ichinomiya") in the prefecture.