Located almost in the center of Japan, Shiga Prefecture is in the northeastern part of the Kinki region and is divided into four regions: Konan, Koto, Kohoku, and Kosai. The climate is characterized by heavy snowfall due to the northern part of the prefecture, and the heavy snowfall of 1927 resulted in a total snowfall of approximately 12 meters, making it one of the world's heaviest snowfall areas. Lake Biwa, which covers about one-sixth of the prefecture, is the largest lake in Japan in terms of area and volume of water storage, and is visited by many tourists every year. The Omi beef raised in Shiga Prefecture, surrounded by beautiful nature, is characterized by its finely marbled fat, which is spread throughout the beef. Hikone City's mascot character "Hikonyan," with its adorable face and cute silhouette, is a firm favorite among people of all ages, young and old alike.