many people in Japan knew as a station on the Tōkaidō Shinkansen Line. The adjacent town of Ōmi was merged into Maibara on October 1, 2005. Maibara was struck by an F2 tornado on June 29, 2018. The tornado caused major damage to homes and injured 8 people. Government Maibara has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 18 members. Maibara contributes two members to the Shiga Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Shiga 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan. Economy The economy of Maibara is centered on agriculture and light manufacturing. There are several industrial parks in the city. Education Maibara has ten public elementary schools and seven public middle schools operated by the city government. There are two public high schools operated by the Shiga Prefectural Department of Education. The prefecture also operates one special education school for the handicapped. Transportation Railway JR Tōkai – Tōkaidō Shinkansen JR Tōkai – Tōkaidō Main Line - - - JR West – Biwako Line JR West – Hokuriku Main Line - Ohmi Railway – Main Line Highway Meishin Expressway Hokuriku Expressway Local attractions Mount Ibuki — With an elevation of 1,377.4 meters, Mount Ibuki is Shiga Prefecture's tallest mountain and a popular spot for skiing in winter and camping and hiking in the warmer months. A gondola and ski lifts carry visitors to the top which affords fine views of Lake Biwa and the surrounding area. The nearest station is Omi-Nagaoka Station. Samegai Trout Farm — Established over a century ago, this is the largest trout farm in Asia and with many ponds. There is a shallow pond where children can try catch (and release) the trout. Riverside restaurants serve fresh trout. Nakasendō stage towns — The Nakasendō was an old highway linking Kyoto with Edo (present-day Tokyo). The highway had 67 stages and the three in Shiga were Kashiwabara-juku, Samegai-juku and Banba-juku in Maibara city. Even today, you can see remnants of these stage towns established for highway travelers to lodge and trade. Amanogawa River — In June, fireflies come out at night. Parts of the river are designated as a protected areas for fireflies. Lake Biwa — The lakeshore road is very scenic on fine days. Kamaha Castle ruins, National Historic Site Tokugen-in, bodaiji of the Kyōgoku clan, rulers