What and where is Shiga Prefecture? 
Shiga-ken, or Shiga Prefecture, is one of the 47 prefectures (states or provinces more or less) that make up the country of Japan. Just two and a half hours west of Tokyo by bullet train, in northern Kansai, Shiga Prefecture is centrally located on Japan’s main island of Honshu. Boasting Japan’s largest freshwater lake, Lake Biwa, and bordered by picturesque mountains, Shiga Prefecture has a wide range of activities on offer for the outdoor enthusiast. From the watersports and beaches of Biwa, to the excellent cycling, hiking, and skiing found throughout, Shiga Prefecture has something for everyone. And if location is everything, then, with its culturally and historically rich neighbors to the south, Kyoto and Nara, and the bustling business, entertainment, and fashion centers of Osaka and Kobe within close proximity, it is easy to see why Shiga Prefecture is one of the best places to live in Japan.
What is the Shiga Survival Guide?
The Shiga Survival Guide is based on an old reference book written by Shiga Prefecture Coordinators for International Relations, the Shiga Prefectural Government, and Shiga AJET. The Shiga Survival Guide was designed to give the foreigners living in Shiga within the context of the Japan Exchange and Teaching (JET) Programme the information necessary to live a full and independent life during their tenure in Shiga Prefecture.
Parts of this guide borrow liberally from Anthony Cece's Shiga Survival Guide. Used with permission.