Hikone Castle4.1
Hikone Castle, built in early 17th century, is one of the few castles in Japan that retains many of its original buildings. Although the interior of the Castle Keep is relatively small and the wooden steps are very steep, a magnificent view of Lake Biwa from the top is rewarding. There are a guardhouse, a three-story watch tower, and a museum that are worth visiting.
This is a beautiful castle to visit in any season, but spring is the best with more than 1,000 cherry trees laden with blossoms. Visitors will perhaps meet the castle's mascot "Hikonyan", a cat sporting a samurai helmet.
Access : a 15-min walk from Hikone Sta.
Purposeexperience,knows a lot about Japan,art,sightseeing
Airport/Sta.Hikone Sta. (about 1.1km) Google Transit
We guide this spot.
Hiromi
Kazu
Henry
H.Shimazaki
Tomy
MITSU
Miho in Chubu
Jun
Tomo
T.SANUKI
Tomoko
Kenji
Junko
Mori
Yoshi
Akira
R.Suenaga
N.Munemasa
Kenji
K.EGI
Nob
samurai joe
Y.Hirotoh
Nao
Mitchy
MayReviews
Alan Myrold4.02 weeks ago
Hikone castle gives you a nice view of the city. The ladders inside to climb up floors are quite steep, not so great for those with young kids or elderly folks with disability. As a solo tourist, I liked all the different explanations and the staff was friendly.
Senkan Koukuu5.0a month ago
THE tourist attraction that is holding Hikone city together. On its own, the castle Tower, museum, and Genkyuu-en are not particularly extraordinary(you could feel the Tenshukaku is more exciting than other castles because of its steep ladder...) but combined they provide a good day's entertainment for any family. I'd say, for a tourist spot of its size the place is not foreigner-friendly, but as it is a historic site you can manage without hands-on foreigner guidance. Five star location in Kansai, I would recommend it to anyone who has already toured some of the other famous places like Osaka, Kyoto and Himeji and has another day to spend.
It would be more fun if you did your homework about Naotora Ii, the feudal lady of Hikone castle before you came here.
Stephen Gosden5.03 weeks ago
Simply beautiful on a sunny day and don't miss the associated gardens.
Sarah S5.03 months ago
It is a small and beautiful castle, with an interesting museum. The view is not the greatest for photos as there is safety wire over the windows.
Yulia Mei4.02 months ago
Hikone Castle site
[ Historic sites ]
Spot Reviews (2)
（Highlights of this tour) ・Visit beautiful Hikone's castle keep (National Treasure), turrets (Important Cultural Assets), and see magnificent stone walls and deep moats ・Stroll around a feudal lord's garden which boast...
（Highlights of this tour)
・Visit beautiful Hikone's castle keep (National Treasure), turrets
(Important Cultural Assets), and see magnificent stone walls and deep moats
・Stroll around a feudal lord's garden which boasts a breathtaking beauty
・Visit the Hikone Castle Museum
・Explore the old Hikone castle town and visit the temple complex and local shrines
・Shop and eat on the street called "Yume (Dream) Kyobashi Castle Road"
Genkyuen Garden: If you visit Hikone castle, please do not miss going Genkyuen Garden. This gargen is one of the typical traditional landscape gardens. It was designed so that visitors can enjoy the view while walking around the pond.
Genkyuen Garden:
If you visit Hikone castle, please do not miss going Genkyuen Garden.
This gargen is one of the typical traditional landscape gardens. It was designed so that visitors can enjoy the view while walking around the pond.
