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
H.Shimazaki
Tomy
MITSU
Miho in Chubu
Jun
Tomo
T.SANUKI
Tomoko
Kenji
Junko
Mori
Yoshi
Akira
R.Suenaga
Henry
N.Munemasa
Kenji
K.EGI
Nob
samurai joe
Y.Hirotoh
Nao
Mitchy
MayReviews
S Poir3.04 months ago
It's a bit expensive to get in. It's a nice castle, worth seeing maybe once. I would suggest to go when the flowers are out. Spring is very nice when the Sakura (cherry blossoms) flowers are blooming. The worker helped me in English in entering the castle. It's nice to see, but be prepared for long lines on the weekend to get into the castle.
josiah sing5.05 months ago
a really beautiful scenic landscape of the city when around the castle grounds. the castle is very intricate and beautiful from all angles. a very picturesque place if you love to visit and observe castles and old structures. the garden there is quite pretty, not out of the ordinary i find. highly recommended to visit once you are in the region. it is also not very crowded so i was able to snap many pictures easily. if you like japanese history, this is also the place for you.
Melis Heerens4.08 months ago
Nice castle in excellent condition. Quick 10-15 min walk from the station. Not much else to do in Hikone aside from the castle and the castle and surrounding park will only take 60-90 min so yo can be back at the station in 90-120 min.
Derek Johnson5.010 months ago
Fantastic castle to visit! Heritage site and much of it is original! Very beautiful garden and sights with a lot of information in English. Would recommend to Museum too.
The steps in the castle are quite steep and there is a climb from the bottom so be careful if you have mobility issues or are wearing short pants/skirt.
Christian Fusco4.04 months ago
Always fun on a nice sunny day. Stairs inside are a bit dangerous though, please be careful!
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.
