Princess Aiko in Shiga Pref.

Princess Aiko in Shiga Pref.

Japanese Princess Aiko meets with firefighters at a disaster-prevention center in Ryuo in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 21, 2026. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko in Shiga Pref.

Princess Aiko in Shiga Pref.

Japanese Princess Aiko meets with firefighters at a disaster-prevention center in Ryuo in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 21, 2026. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko in Shiga Pref.

Princess Aiko in Shiga Pref.

Japanese Princess Aiko waves upon arriving at a disaster-prevention center in Ryuo in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 21, 2026. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko in Shiga Pref.

Princess Aiko in Shiga Pref.

Japanese Princess Aiko (2nd from R) watches a resident playing boccia at a medical and welfare home in Maibara in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 21, 2026. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko in Shiga Pref.

Princess Aiko in Shiga Pref.

Japanese Princess Aiko (2nd from R) watches a resident playing boccia at a medical and welfare home in Maibara in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 21, 2026. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko in Shiga Pref.

Princess Aiko in Shiga Pref.

Japanese Princess Aiko watches a resident undergoing rehabilitation at a medical and welfare home in Maibara in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 21, 2026. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko in Shiga Pref.

Princess Aiko in Shiga Pref.

Japanese Princess Aiko plays boccia at a medical and welfare home in Maibara in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 21, 2026. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko in Shiga Pref.

Princess Aiko in Shiga Pref.

Japanese Princess Aiko plays boccia at a medical and welfare home in Maibara in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 21, 2026. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko in Shiga Pref.

Princess Aiko in Shiga Pref.

Japanese Princess Aiko (C) is briefed about giant Lake Biwa catfish during a visit to Lake Biwa Museum in Kusatsu in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 21, 2026. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko in Shiga Pref.

Princess Aiko in Shiga Pref.

Japanese Princess Aiko (L) visits Lake Biwa Museum in Kusatsu in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 21, 2026. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko in Shiga Pref.

Princess Aiko in Shiga Pref.

Japanese Princess Aiko (2nd from L) is briefed about giant Lake Biwa catfish during a visit to Lake Biwa Museum in Kusatsu in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 21, 2026. (Pool photo)

Princess Aiko in Shiga Pref.

Princess Aiko in Shiga Pref.

Japanese Princess Aiko (L) visits Lake Biwa Museum in Kusatsu in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 21, 2026. (Pool photo)

Popular mascot Hikonyan

Popular mascot Hikonyan

Hikonyan, the popular mascot of the city of Hikone in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, serves as a guide during a special event on Aug. 9, 2026, allowing the owners of stuffed toys to bring them to Hikone Castle Museum for a weeklong stay.

Popular mascot Hikonyan

Popular mascot Hikonyan

Hikonyan, the popular mascot of the city of Hikone in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, serves as a guide during a special event on Aug. 9, 2026, allowing the owners of stuffed toys to bring them to Hikone Castle Museum for a weeklong stay.

Japan crown prince at high school sports event in Shiga

Japan crown prince at high school sports event in Shiga

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito addresses the opening ceremony of a national inter-high school athletic competition in Otsu in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 3, 2026.

Japan crown prince at high school sports event in Shiga

Japan crown prince at high school sports event in Shiga

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko attend the opening ceremony of a national inter-high school athletic competition in Otsu in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 3, 2026.

Japan crown prince at high school sports event in Shiga

Japan crown prince at high school sports event in Shiga

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko talk with students before departing from the venue of a national inter-high school athletic competition's opening ceremony in Otsu in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 3, 2026.

Japan crown prince at high school sports event in Shiga

Japan crown prince at high school sports event in Shiga

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito addresses the opening ceremony of a national inter-high school athletic competition in Otsu in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 3, 2026.

Japan crown prince at high school sports event in Shiga

Japan crown prince at high school sports event in Shiga

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko attend the opening ceremony of a national inter-high school athletic competition in Otsu in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 3, 2026.

Japan crown prince at high school sports event in Shiga

Japan crown prince at high school sports event in Shiga

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko watch a women's weightlifting event at the national inter high school athletic competition in Takashima, Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026.

Japan crown prince at high school sports event in Shiga

Japan crown prince at high school sports event in Shiga

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito (far L) and Crown Princess Kiko (2nd from L) watch a women's weightlifting event at the national inter high school athletic competition in Takashima, Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026.

Japan crown prince visits Shiga

Japan crown prince visits Shiga

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko visit a traditional folding fan workshop in Takashima in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026. (Pool photo)

Japan crown prince visits Shiga

Japan crown prince visits Shiga

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko visit a traditional folding fan workshop in Takashima in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026. (Pool photo)

Japan crown prince visits Shiga

Japan crown prince visits Shiga

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko visit a traditional folding fan workshop in Takashima in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026. (Pool photo)

Japan crown prince visits Shiga

Japan crown prince visits Shiga

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko visit a traditional folding fan workshop in Takashima in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026. (Pool photo)

Japan crown prince visits Shiga

Japan crown prince visits Shiga

Japan's Crown Prince Fumihito and Crown Princess Kiko visit a traditional folding fan workshop in Takashima in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on Aug. 2, 2026. (Pool photo)

Lake-jumping religious ritual

Lake-jumping religious ritual

A Buddhist monk jumps into Lake Biwa from a height of about 7 meters in the Shiga Prefecture city of Omihachiman, western Japan, on Aug. 1, 2026, as he completes 100 days of ascetic mountain training. The traditional ritual at Isaki-ji temple dates back nearly 1,000 years.

Lake-jumping religious ritual

Lake-jumping religious ritual

A Buddhist monk jumps into Lake Biwa from a height of about 7 meters in the Shiga Prefecture city of Omihachiman, western Japan, on Aug. 1, 2026, as he completes 100 days of ascetic mountain training. The traditional ritual at Isaki-ji temple dates back nearly 1,000 years.

Clock festival at shrine in western Japan

OTSU, Japan, June 10 Kyodo - Women wearing traditional Japanese court dresses attend an annual clock festival at Omi Jingu shrine in Otsu in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on June 10, 2026. Omi Jingu enshrines Emperor Tenji, who is said to have established a system to measure time in seventh-century Japan by setting up a water clock. (Kyodo)

Clock festival at shrine in western Japan

Clock festival at shrine in western Japan

An woman wearing traditional Japanese court dress attends an annual clock festival at Omi Jingu shrine in Otsu in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on June 10, 2026. Omi Jingu enshrines Emperor Tenji, who is said to have established a system to measure time in seventh-century Japan by setting up a water clock.

Clock festival at shrine in western Japan

Clock festival at shrine in western Japan

Women wearing traditional Japanese court dresses attend an annual clock festival at Omi Jingu shrine in Otsu in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on June 10, 2026. Omi Jingu enshrines Emperor Tenji, who is said to have established a system to measure time in seventh-century Japan by setting up a water clock.

Clock festival at shrine in western Japan

Clock festival at shrine in western Japan

Women wearing traditional Japanese court dresses attend an annual clock festival at Omi Jingu shrine in Otsu in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on June 10, 2026. Omi Jingu enshrines Emperor Tenji, who is said to have established a system to measure time in seventh-century Japan by setting up a water clock.

Victims' kin commemorate 1991 train accident in western Japan

KOKA, Japan, May 14 Kyodo - Bereaved family members attend a memorial service in Koka in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on May 14, 2026, the 35th anniversary of a local train collision that killed 42 passengers and staff. (Kyodo)

Victims' kin commemorate 1991 train accident in western Japan

Victims' kin commemorate 1991 train accident in western Japan

Bereaved family members attend a memorial service in Koka in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on May 14, 2026, the 35th anniversary of a local train collision that killed 42 passengers and staff.

Victims' kin commemorate 1991 train accident in western Japan

Victims' kin commemorate 1991 train accident in western Japan

Bereaved family members attend a memorial service in Koka in Shiga Prefecture, western Japan, on May 14, 2026, the 35th anniversary of a local train collision that killed 42 passengers and staff.

Shiga Bank and Ikeda Senshu Holdings Form Capital and Business Alliance

Shiga Bank and Ikeda Senshu Holdings Form Capital and Business Alliance

Shiga Bank and Ikeda Senshu Holdings Form Capital and Business Alliance. The photo shows, from left to right, Koichi Sakaguchi, President and CEO of Ikeda Senshu Holdings, and Shinya Kubota, President of Shiga Bank.=April 17,2026,Japan

Shiga Bank and Ikeda Senshu Holdings Form Capital and Business Alliance

Shiga Bank and Ikeda Senshu Holdings Form Capital and Business Alliance

Shiga Bank and Ikeda Senshu Holdings Form Capital and Business Alliance. The photo shows, from left to right, Koichi Sakaguchi, President and CEO of Ikeda Senshu Holdings, and Shinya Kubota, President of Shiga Bank.=April 17,2026,Japan

[Breaking News]20th birthday of popular mascot Hikonyan

HIKONE, Japan, April 13 Kyodo - Hikonyan, the popular samurai helmet-wearing cat mascot of Hikone in Shiga Prefecture, appears at a special event marking its 20th birthday in the western Japan city of Hikone on April 13, 2026. (Kyodo)

20th birthday of popular mascot Hikonyan

20th birthday of popular mascot Hikonyan

Hikonyan, the popular samurai helmet-wearing cat mascot of Hikone in Shiga Prefecture, appears at a special event marking its 20th birthday in the western Japan city of Hikone on April 13, 2026.

Japan: Long Lines Form at Gas Stations Ahead of Price Hike

Long lines of vehicles formed at gas stations across Japan on Wednesday, March 11, as drivers rushed to fill up before an expected sharp rise in fuel prices. Major oil wholesalers announced plans to raise gasoline wholesale prices by an average of 26 yen per liter starting March 12, prompting a surge in last-minute refueling.

[Breaking News]Tourist season starts at Japan's largest lake

OTSU, Japan, March 7 Kyodo - Video taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows sightseeing ships parading on Lake Biwa in the Shiga Prefecture capital of Otsu, western Japan, in a ceremony marking the start of the tourist season at Japan's largest lake on March 7, 2026. (Kyodo)

Tourist season starts at Japan's largest lake

Tourist season starts at Japan's largest lake

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a sightseeing ship parading on Lake Biwa in the Shiga Prefecture capital of Otsu, western Japan, in a ceremony marking the start of the tourist season at Japan's largest lake on March 7, 2026.

Tourist season starts at Japan's largest lake

Tourist season starts at Japan's largest lake

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows a sightseeing ship parading on Lake Biwa in the Shiga Prefecture capital of Otsu, western Japan, in a ceremony marking the start of the tourist season at Japan's largest lake on March 7, 2026.

Tourist season starts at Japan's largest lake

Tourist season starts at Japan's largest lake

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows sightseeing ships parading on Lake Biwa in the Shiga Prefecture capital of Otsu, western Japan, in a ceremony marking the start of the tourist season at Japan's largest lake on March 7, 2026.

Fujitec Elevator Research Tower Exterior

Fujitec Elevator Research Tower Exterior

Fujitec Elevator Research Tower Exterior=January 23,2026,Shiga

Yanmar exterior, logo, and signboard

Yanmar exterior, logo, and signboard

Yanmar exterior, logo, and signboard=January 23,2026,Shiga

Railway Technical Research Institute Wind Tunnel Technology Center Signboard and Logo

Railway Technical Research Institute Wind Tunnel Technology Center Signboard and Logo

Railway Technical Research Institute Wind Tunnel Technology Center Signboard and Logo=January 23,2026,Shiga

Resonac signboard and logo

Resonac signboard and logo

Resonac signboard and logo=January 23,2026,Shiga

Image of Omi Railway

Image of Omi Railway

Image of Omi Railway=January 23,2026,Shiga

Railway Technical Research Institute Wind Tunnel Technology Center Signboard and Logo

Railway Technical Research Institute Wind Tunnel Technology Center Signboard and Logo

Railway Technical Research Institute Wind Tunnel Technology Center Signboard and Logo=January 23,2026,Shiga