Shiga is the place of Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan

Shiga prefecture area size　4017.36 km2
Population　1,342,790人　( as of 2000.Aug 1)

Shiga is not a big city, rather a country side prefecture. But there are many surprizes, that you may not know.

World top record of snow. 　　11.82m ! This record was made at 1927 Feburary 14, in Mt. Ibuki located in the east side of Shiga prefecture. Most of Japanese people believes northen area as the top, but not ture. Shiga is the top ! Mt.Ibuki is the place where warm Pacific winds and cold Japan Sea winds hit together, and make snow cloudes on the top of Mt.Ibuki.
When you drive "Meishin" high way, you may find signals of "Caution ! Gurrila Snow !!". Sudden piles up within a few minutes in winter time.。

Citizens like cleaning
The population ratio of clothes drawers is No.1 in Japan, and clothers dryers is No.2.

Like to stay with family for dinner
The number of resturant is No. 2 in Japan from the bottom. Actually there are very small numbers of resturants or yakitori bares in front of stations. And families who lives 3 generations in the same house are 74%, a lot.

Like fast food - quick and easy
The number of hamburger resturants is No.1 in Japan. Most of the resturant sizes are very wide, comparing small & narrow ones in Tokyo.
And the number of houses having microwave ovens is No.2.

Like IT
The population ratio of PC owners is No.1 in Japan. For example, I have 3 note-PCs and 1 desktop. Also, using 3 desktops inoffice.
My condominium had installed a wireless LAN, to be able to connect all romms to the condominium server. IT revolution is reaching to my home.

Many children
The population ratio of children less than age of 14, is No.3. in Japan. And the increase ratio is No.5.

Like to produce
The ratio of manufactures is No.1 in Japan. And number of agriculture combine machines is No.1.

Like to read books
Ratio of renting books at libraries is No.2 in Japan. For example, we can rent 10 books per person for two to three weeks. For a family of 4 people. totally 40 books will be in your house. But really reading all or not is a different story.

And here is data for Lake Biwa, the most ( or only ) popular thing of Shiga

• Size 670km2
• Length　235 km
• Water amount　　27,500,000,000,000 litter. This is equal to amount for 14,000,000 people ( same size of Tokyo population ) living for 15 years.
• Age　4,000,000 years. ( No.3 oldest in the world )
• Depth 104 meter
  
  You can see more and more detail about Lake Biwa and Shiga at Prefecture Musium located in Kusatsu city.

From Steven