Hikone Castle

Information

Hikone Castle was built in 1622 by Ii Naokatsu (Naotsugu) as the main castle for the Ii family who ruled as Daimyo domain lord over Hikone. It took about 20 years to complete the entire castle. Since much of it is original, Hikone Castle is rightly considered one of the finest remaining castles in Japan. There is a great view across the Lake Biwa-ko from the upper stories of the castle's Tenshu-kaku (dongon) which was completed in 1607. Today, the building is designated as a national treasure. The castle is surrounded by more than 1,000 cherry trees, making it a popular spot for Hanami (cherry blossom watching) activities in the spring.
Next to the castle's main gate is Hikone Castle Museum. Items on display came from the Ii family and include armor, Noh costumes, pottery and calligraphy.
The north side of the castle is Genkyu-en Garden. The beautiful Japanese garden expresses Omi-Hakkei - The best eight scenic views in Omi Province (today's Shiga prefecture). Entry to this garden is included in the admission ticket for the castle.
Hikone Castle is also famous for its mascot character called Hikonyan. The cute cat-based character wearing the Ii family's red helmet was born in 2007 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of the founding of the castle. Hikonyan is one of the most popular Japanese "Yuru-chara" mascot characters.

Opening Hours

8:30 - 17:00

Closed

No closing days

Price / Entrance Fee

Castle and Garden: 600 yen (General, Adult)
Castle and Garden: 200 yen (Child)
Museum: 500 yen (General, Adult)
Museum: 250 yen (Child)

Access / Public Transport

15 minutes walk from JR Hikone Station

Address / Location

1-1, Konkicho, Hikone-shi, Shiga, 522-0061

Tweets

SHIKIBU @SHIKIBU_Automat - 2018-11-18: @omotenashi_cx That's unfortunate. If you'd like, Come back again the Hikone castle, please!
SHIKIBU @SHIKIBU_Automat - 2018-11-18: Winter in Japan.(3)
- Hikone castle in Hikone city, Shiga Prefecture, Japan.
#Japan #Shiga #CoolJapan? #ColdJapan… https://t.co/uOINAmyLxY
Yackie Lamb-baah @aLAMbgoesBAAH - 2018-11-18: 2018.11.18 - More Autumn Leaf Illuminations!
Planned an overnight stay in a https://t.co/lH9nTGUPrI hotel in Hikone… https://t.co/xc38h6jAVD
Japan Rail Pass @jrailpass - 2018-11-17: #Hikone Castle and city #travelguide https://t.co/42AmNnp3lS Visit the best landmarks in #Japan with the#jrailpass https://t.co/sRslNSYJZX
Robert Day Travel @robertdaytravel - 2018-11-17: Hikone Castle is over 400 years old and one of the 12 original castles in existence from Japan’s feudal era… https://t.co/XqWFWVp0zP
Tammy @tammywjones - 2018-11-15: Hikone Castle #Japan https://t.co/LYhgjZptBw
Paradox, The Great @Astronomikal1 - 2018-11-12: Hikone Castle Moat. https://t.co/U6A2Vylv16
Photo Japan @PhotoJapanNews - 2018-11-11: Fall colors come to Genkyuen Garden in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture. Note typhoon damage on Hikone Castle wall. https://t.co/zajEiDuS5y
らんぼちゃん @kohaku_no_yume - 2018-11-10: HIKONE Castle，Foo↑ https://t.co/2qLJDZjyoD
omotenashi-cx @omotenashi_cx - 2018-11-07: A panorama of Hikone Castle - taken on a magical autumn day in Shiga Prefecture.

#kyoto
#omotenashi https://t.co/ECNtxiy4OP
sunafukin photo @sunafukin_photo - 2018-11-07: title:self-portrait
place:hikone castle
camera:d600
lens:nikkor28mmf1.8 https://t.co/FyyG1EU2va
Isael Itsuki @Isael_itsuki - 2018-11-05: Tea house, Genkyu-en garden, Hikone Castle.
🇯🇵 🍵 https://t.co/PFGs6BMAxL
ワンコスキー @wankosky2016 - 2018-11-05: Marugame castle of 12 existing castle towers. Stunning stone walls and Iino mountain is beautiful. Matsumoto, Kochi… https://t.co/UqKKSkCxsz
ワンコスキー @wankosky2016 - 2018-11-05: Marugame castle of 12 existing castle towers. Stunning stone walls and Iino mountain is beautiful. Matsumoto, Kochi… https://t.co/lbPgPkEXfA
すなふきん Sunafukin @d600hyde - 2018-11-04: I went to Hikone castle by motorbike. But the castle is too far!
すなふきん Sunafukin @d600hyde - 2018-11-04: title:Hikone castle
camera:d600
lens:nikkor28mmf1.8 https://t.co/oubD4fdJNd
Alan Baker @notjustpensions - 2018-11-02: Genkyu-en garden and Hikone the early 17th century castle where it was designed to be viewed from #JapaneseGardens… https://t.co/5wMvXpXa8X
omotenashi-cx @omotenashi_cx - 2018-11-02: @rob_kendrew To find the time for a lengthy stay in Japan has been on my bucket list for a while. Just Loving it. S… https://t.co/TD1aA4m7Fo
クリス・グレン/ 11/8はポールマッカートニー名古屋ライブの日 @DJ_ChrisGlenn - 2018-11-02: Hikone Castle's Samurai Gardens, Genkyu-en

Samurai were men of the sword. Trained warriors dedicated to the martia… https://t.co/dZ2HJEOXSz
クリス・グレン/ ポールマッカートニーのインタビューはradikoで聴けます @DJ_ChrisGlenn - 2018-11-02: Hikone Castle's Samurai Gardens, Genkyu-en

Samurai were men of the sword. Trained warriors dedicated to the martia… https://t.co/dZ2HJEOXSz
クリス・グレン/ ポールマッカートニーのインタビューは本日OA！ @DJ_ChrisGlenn - 2018-11-02: Hikone Castle's Samurai Gardens, Genkyu-en

Samurai were men of the sword. Trained warriors dedicated to the martia… https://t.co/dZ2HJEOXSz
クリス・グレン/ 城マニアのラジオDJ @DJ_ChrisGlenn - 2018-11-02: Hikone Castle's Samurai Gardens, Genkyu-en

Samurai were men of the sword. Trained warriors dedicated to the martia… https://t.co/dZ2HJEOXSz
omotenashi-cx @omotenashi_cx - 2018-11-01: https://t.co/Yn0gO1oePC

Great day out at Hikone Castle.
https://t.co/0j7eUaCztu

#omotenashi
Anne Louise Avery @AnneLouiseAvery - 2018-10-31: Lingering Snow at Hikone Castle
Winter, 1934
Kawase Hasui https://t.co/JXtWItunuH
Japan Cheapo @JapanCheapo - 2018-10-28: Hikone Castle is one of twelve remaining examples and is a great place to learn about feudal Japan:… https://t.co/mbtLg2wFlO
Kumamon @55_kumamon_eng - 2018-10-25: I went to Hikone Castle☆ The view was beautiful with good weather! I also exchanged business cards with Hikonyan in… https://t.co/cpMJaYT4f3
petitNyan5 @petitNyan5 - 2018-10-25: There is such a place near Hikone castle https://t.co/fxJSz08smC
Paradox, The Great @Astronomikal1 - 2018-10-20: In Japan every city has a mascot. Today and tomorrow there’s an annual festival where every mascot from every city… https://t.co/DsAaRP6jnY
SHIKIBU @SHIKIBU_Automat - 2018-10-13: Dawn of the Himeji Castle.
This castle as well as the Hikone Castle were built in the 17th century for Samurai to u… https://t.co/G1Jphh2DOc
SickVampireBloody @QuicksandBuddy - 2018-10-13: @MaxScoville If you have time, I would also suggest taking a day trip to Hikone, about 40-minutes away from Kyoto b… https://t.co/OuaXFf7z4F