Shiga
滋賀県
At a Glance
Higher cost area, driven by manufacturing & pharmaceuticals, tight-knit local community.
Estimated Monthly Cost of Living
¥412,830
≈ $2,752 USD / month
Budget
¥288,981
Minimal spending, shared housing, cooking at home
Moderate
¥412,830
Average lifestyle, own apartment, occasional dining
Comfortable
¥577,962
Spacious flat, dining out often, leisure activities
Monthly Spending Breakdown
Price Details
Individual item prices in Shiga, sourced from e-Stat government data. Prices are in JPY.
Other(3 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Total Consumption Expenditure | ¥370,637 |
| Other Consumption Expenditure | ¥68,896 |
| Furniture & Household Utensils | ¥15,013 |
Food & Groceries(4 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Food | ¥118,527 |
| Rice (Koshihikari) | ¥5,190 |
| Food (average) | ¥3,622 |
| Bread (white) | ¥514 |
Housing & Rent(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Housing | ¥44,545 |
Transportation(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Transportation & Communication | ¥41,028 |
Entertainment(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Culture & Recreation | ¥28,141 |
Utilities(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Fuel, Light & Water Charges | ¥22,354 |
Healthcare(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Medical Care | ¥17,431 |
Clothing(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Clothing & Footwear | ¥8,848 |
Education(1 items)
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Education | ¥5,854 |
Foreign Community in Shiga
Top Nationalities
Source: Immigration Services Agency (出入国在留管理庁) end-of-2023 statistics. A larger foreign community often means more multilingual services, international shops, and established support networks for newcomers.
Lifestyle Profile
Top Industries
Local Specialties
Lifestyle
Events & Festivals
Otsu Matsuri
13 ornate floats paraded through Otsu streets
Lake Biwa Fireworks
10,000 fireworks reflected on Japan's largest lake
Digital Nomad Score
Based on coworking availability, internet speed, and cafe culture.
Entrepreneur Score
Based on startup ecosystem, business support, and market access.
Outdoor & Activities
Climate
Moderate climate influenced by Lake Biwa. Cold winters with some snow. Warm, humid summers.
Foreign Community
Future Events & Business Opportunities
Investment Highlight
Shiga offers affordable living near Kyoto and Osaka with growing sustainable tourism opportunities around Lake Biwa.
Lake Biwa Sustainable Tourism Initiative
TourismLow ImpactShiga Prefecture is promoting sustainable tourism around Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake. New cycling routes, eco-tourism programs, and cultural heritage projects are attracting international visitors.
Business Opportunity
Eco-tourism services, cycling tourism infrastructure, and outdoor recreation businesses. Proximity to Kyoto makes Shiga an attractive base for tourists seeking affordability.
Infrastructure Projects
- Lake Biwa cycling route expansion
- Biwako-Kusatsu campus area development
Economic & Investment Profile
Manufacturing hub with Osaka/Kyoto access; one of few prefectures with near-stable population; Lake Biwa quality of life.
Economic Overview
GDP
¥6.8T
+1.0% YoY
GDP per Capita
¥4.8M
Avg. Income
325万円
≈ ¥3,250,000/yr
Unemployment
2.2%
Below national avg
Startup Rate
3.6%
Below average
Real Estate Market
Avg. Rent (1K)
¥38,000
/month
Avg. Rent (2LDK)
¥60,000
/month
Land Price Trend
+0.8%
YoY change
Vacant House Rate
12.8%
Below national avg (13.6%)
Demographics
Population Trend
→ Stable
-0.1% YoY
Foreign Residents
35,000
+10.5% growth
Top Nationalities
Key Metrics at a Glance
| GDP | ¥6.8T |
| GDP Growth | +1.0% |
| Average Income | 325\u4E07\u5186 |
| Land Price Change | +0.8% |
| Vacant Houses | 12.8% |
| Foreign Residents | 35,000 |
| Startup Rate | 3.6% |
Sources: Cabinet Office (GDP), Ministry of Internal Affairs (population), Immigration Services Agency (foreign residents), MLIT (land prices, housing survey), National Tax Agency (income). Data from 2022-2024 publications.
Find an Apartment in Shiga
Search English-friendly property sites with listings in Shiga.
Real Estate Japan
Comprehensive English-language property listings with prefecture-level filtering. Search rentals, share houses, and furnished apartments.
GaijinPot Apartments
Japan's largest foreigner-friendly apartment search. All listed properties welcome foreign tenants, with bilingual agent support.
Akiya Japan (Vacant Houses)
Browse affordable akiya (vacant/abandoned houses) across Japan. Prices start from under 1 million yen in rural areas.
External links — these sites are operated independently. JapanCost is not responsible for their content or listings.
Cities & Municipalities (0)
No city data available for this prefecture yet. Data coming soon.
Also Explore
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to live in Shiga?
The estimated monthly cost of living in Shiga for a single person is approximately ¥412,830 (≈ $2,752 USD). This includes rent, food, utilities, transportation, and other daily expenses based on government survey data.
What are specific item prices in Shiga?
The Price Details section below shows individual item prices in Shiga, grouped by category (food, housing, utilities, etc.). You can see exactly how much everyday items like rice, eggs, milk, and transit passes cost, sourced directly from Japan's e-Stat government data.
Is Shiga expensive compared to other prefectures?
Shiga is approximately 7% more expensive than the national average.