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

Mark McNeilly @markmcneilly - 2019-09-17: Hikone Castle, Shiga province, which has a three-story castle keep. The base of most castles were made of stone but… https://t.co/qyQWlp4FcJ
イモニャン🍠😺 The Purrtato @BasementNyanko - 2019-09-15: @hizaga Ok, Hikone Castle is taken. Where do you reckon I could live?
JCMU Japan Center @Japan_Center - 2019-09-14: Current students exploring Hikone Castle! https://t.co/DtlN7PiI7S
Yodica Films @YodicaFilms - 2019-09-14: ⏩Repost⏩ Hikone Castle on Yodica ANTARES shoot taken by @CallumColquhou5!
#firstoftheroll #35mm #35mmfilm… https://t.co/oFRTl6h0lX
masakudamatsu @masakudamatsu - 2019-09-08: Hikone Castle (彦根城), a 17th-century samurai castle, seen from its pond garden Genkyu-en (玄宮園). It's an hour train r… https://t.co/Ys7WfzJ7ea
福井県立歴史博物館 @Fukui_rekihaku - 2019-09-03: @LfelipeSampaio According to a study by the Hikone Castle Museum, the signature of this sword would be a characteristic of around 1667.
ぞにけん(zoniken) @zoniken514 - 2019-09-02: @MrNantendo Most of the major castle like Nagoya and Osaka has turned into museum type castles from the inside. Oth… https://t.co/dj5ew8BuLB
KOU s15×JY 花丸推し @kosei19921223 - 2019-08-25: Hikone Castle！
Lake Biwa in the evening！ https://t.co/cpKodaFZab
もま @moma_nyc - 2019-08-25: Hikone Castle in Shiga Prefecture.
It was a very steep stairs. https://t.co/6jPP5TIxkr
Shiga Headlines @ShigaHeadlines - 2019-08-21: At Nagahama Castle, 4.5 meter-long remains of a stone wall built during Toyotomi Hideyoshi's time (16th c.) has bee… https://t.co/hdSGMg6hOc
Shiga Headlines @ShigaHeadlines - 2019-08-20: In Shiga, Typhoon No. 10 (Krosa) on Aug. 15–16 caused minor damage. In Kora, Saimyoji Temple had minor damage to th… https://t.co/zDAaeQrYxF
redlandcannibal @redlandcannibal - 2019-08-20: Good morning from Hikone Castle https://t.co/5uDLt80L6w
Tuttogiappone - All about Japan @Tuttogiappone - 2019-08-19: Historic Hikone Castle
https://t.co/SbDwD0CWgu #giappone #Japan
redlandcannibal @redlandcannibal - 2019-08-19: Driving past Hikone Castle, weather makes it look super gloomy so no pics but it's a very pretty castle, I guess

/… https://t.co/fMHl0vXMiW
redlandcannibal @redlandcannibal - 2019-08-18: Goals: stick our feet in the lake, play Pokemon cards in the hotel room, walk around the semi-abandoned shopping ma… https://t.co/vLyVqlmZAq
Kristine Ohkubo @AuthorKristineO - 2019-08-16: Any visit to #Shiga Prefecture has to include a tour of #Hikone_Castle. It is one of only four #Japanese castles to… https://t.co/f2H0slCnvu
Japan Rail Pass @jrailpass - 2019-08-15: #Hikone castle and city #TravelGuide https://t.co/42AmNnGEKs This castle is one of the five #Japanese castles desig… https://t.co/H1UO9olhGo
🎌 Donny Kimball 🎌 @donnyjkimball - 2019-08-15: Yup! It's still my favorite Japanese castle... https://t.co/SK42jyUnnT
Chris Christensen @chris2x - 2019-08-12: Castle in Hikone, Japan. One of only 8 castles left in Japan. They burn down because they are made of wood. ⁣
⁣… https://t.co/djQWuhK1E9
Neon has a favourite th*t @GeraiNeon - 2019-07-28: @abbyuable @beingevil + Himeji too. Hikone castle as well!

Is this your first time there?
petitNyan5 @petitNyan5 - 2019-07-23: Hello my trainer code is 'oktitep'

Friend exchange Thank you

I will send a gift from Hikone Castle in Japan https://t.co/MIPy8lxgev
Richard Mulvihill @JapanTravelCafe - 2019-07-21: Hikone Castle looking over it’s huge garden where they filmed parts of the Shogun tv series (1980). #hikonecastle… https://t.co/mYzrwZcscV
Japan Rail Pass @jrailpass - 2019-07-18: Read here our #Hikone castle and city #TravelGuide https://t.co/42AmNnGEKs #jrailpass #destinations #kyoto https://t.co/lCquXD7L1f
Japan Rail Pass @jrailpass - 2019-07-15: #Hikone castle and city #TravelGuide https://t.co/42AmNnp3lS We recommend you to visit this castle, as it's one of… https://t.co/NQ57VDVAFF
awesam @LlONKlNGS - 2019-07-11: Hikone castle featuring me who doesnt know what to do with my hands in photos anymore https://t.co/JvnDlRzPhq
Kanpai! Japan @KanpaiJapan - 2019-07-08: [Today's Kanpai picture]
Hikone - Biwa lake's Castle and its Japanese garden
https://t.co/sDxXnGvdXE https://t.co/ndOHvoeiEU
DennistheMenice @DennistheMenice - 2019-07-06: @miragoto I think it was Kyoto ... Hikone Castle.
Hum_Con @Hum_Con - 2019-07-06: Spent most of today in Hikone, visiting the castle. I've been wanting to do this for years, since I read about the… https://t.co/hUTHyIksrV
Yokan-Iwate(いわて/岩手) @Yokan112 - 2019-07-03: Hikone castle in Shiga prefecture(Kansai region).November 2014 https://t.co/ppCYQmBiAo
Yokan-Iwate(いわて/岩手🇯🇵) @Yokan112 - 2019-07-03: Hikone castle in Shiga prefecture(Kansai region).November 2014 https://t.co/ppCYQmBiAo
Photo Japan @PhotoJapanNews - 2019-07-01: Giant 'kamon,'family crests, light up guard house walls beside the outer moat of Hikone Castle in Shiga Prefecture: https://t.co/zajEiDuS5y