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Hikone Castle

Travel Guide - Hikone Castle

InformationInformation

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 HoursOpening Hours

  • 8:30 - 17:00

ClosedClosed

  • No closing days

Price / Entrance FeePrice / 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 TransportAccess / Public Transport

  • 15 minutes walk from JR Hikone Station

Address / LocationAddress / Location

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

Zaraeleus @zaraeleus - 2021-01-12
Got A @NordicTrack today.

I just completed the Hikone Castle Interval Ride, Hikone, Japan workout on @ifit

I cus… https://t.co/VZVOUtsiVw
Intonation @is_not_a_potato - 2021-01-11
A few years ago I actually cried because I missed Hikonyan's daily appearance time at the Hikone Castle 😂
Mondo Mascots @mondomascots - 2021-01-10
@Gayfetus Hikonyan seems to have originated the tradition of sending cards to mascots. Also, he replies with free tickets to Hikone castle.
さのの @sanono_murasaki - 2021-01-07
”Watercolor for Hikone Castle” 1941
by Hashimoto Okiie https://t.co/Y4RTxA7Gow
rin aelia 🤍 凛 @MissRinAelia - 2020-12-27
@sejongismybias Hikonyan! He’s a cat and he’s the mascot of Hikone Castle
에마 | 艾瑪 | Emma @sejongismybias - 2020-12-27
@MissRinAelia How adorable! I’ll have to look up Hikone Castle later, too
La Vie Zine @laviezine - 2020-12-21
Japan VLOG: Life As A Foreigner | Cherry Blossoms in Kyoto & Hikone Castle | Coffee & Lifestyle… https://t.co/g5pCEpLVku
🎌 Donny Kimball 🎌 @donnyjkimball - 2020-12-19
Located on the shores of Lake Biwa, Hikone Castle is a masterclass in defensive architecture. https://t.co/SK42jyUnnT
Travel with you ✈️ Online Trip @IdeaMap_Japan - 2020-12-11
PHOTOGENIC #JAPAN No.1
📍#Shiga Prefecture

🏢TOURIST SPOT > > > Enryakuji Temple, Hikone Castle, Biwa Lake
🍴FOOD… https://t.co/jruY9yqDVp
Travel with you ✈️ Online Trip @IdeaMap_Japan - 2020-12-11
PHOTOGENIC #JAPAN No.1
📍#Shiga Prefecture

🏢TOURIST SPOT > > > Enryakuji Temple, Hikone Castle, Biwa Lake
🍴FOOD… https://t.co/jruY9yqDVp
装鉄城 @rZVdzXGF3Op2U8G - 2020-12-10
Day 7.Thanks
@oiy_yk
for nominating me to produce a picture a day for 7 days from my daily life (without people).… https://t.co/HSjfNwhtIH
アキラ @aqilahinjapan - 2020-12-07
@tpcljapanese Yes, I also went to Metasequoia Avenue and Hikone castle. I saw 二季咲桜 for the first time. 😃 https://t.co/eidAstP4nH
まにまに @K1VMp5bK57pnova - 2020-12-06
Hi！I'm Manimani，from JapanーShiga.Shiga is famous for lake Biwa ，is the largest lake in Japan. And famous for Koga… https://t.co/04ArGtm8Fe
8 Tuna Ghost Scours The Virtuous Ignorantly @tunaghostsghost - 2020-12-05
I lived in Hikone for a semester, nice little town on the coast of Lake Biwa with a big castle looming over it. Hik… https://t.co/Ae9IiMkpUJ
Mondo Mascots @mondomascots - 2020-12-05
Hikonyan, the samurai cat mascot of Hikone City, helps make the 'shime-nawa', a sacred rope that decorates Hikone C… https://t.co/Y2TckbxCY8
Tatsushu @SD_Tatsushu - 2020-11-26
Today, not just sight, but sound. The bell of Hikone castle, said to be a unique soundscape of Japan. https://t.co/9HH3a5vSba
ひなた君@ヤマノススメ(飯能) @wHWKgJavJSIURjB - 2020-11-23
The incident outside Sakuradamon was an incident in which 17 people from the Mito domain and one Satsuma domain att… https://t.co/2wdcrEEUXj
柳野かなた＠最果てのパラディン @yanaginokanata - 2020-11-22
@biogundam I have rarely been to the old battlefields, but I have visited some of the castles.　Osaka Castle, Hikone… https://t.co/CoIfs9kAnb
kenzaru @seemonkey123 - 2020-11-21
#デレステAR
#市原仁奈

Hikone Castle https://t.co/sFCK0iRtRA
kenzaru @seemonkey123 - 2020-11-18
#水野翠10万いいねプロジェクト
#水野翠
#デレステAR

Hikone Castle https://t.co/XjaT6fxU50
くらのすけ @nosuke_identity - 2020-11-15
hikone castle https://t.co/k5noR2INbL
kenzaru @seemonkey123 - 2020-11-12
#水野翠10万いいねプロジェクト
#水野翠
#デレステAR

Hikone Castle https://t.co/HHxjEWv11E
Sara @ope_sumimasen - 2020-11-11
Castle cat for Hikone castle, DB Starman for the Yokohama baseball team, and a mascot from the Manga museum in Kyot… https://t.co/QGjlPD7dzt
Japan's Local Treasures @J_LocalTreasure - 2020-11-06
Climb the vertiginous steps inside the keep of Hikone Castle, and look down on the castle defenses as well as the p… https://t.co/buT6X98R3m
kenzaru @seemonkey123 - 2020-11-05
#水野翠10万いいねプロジェクト
#水野翠
#デレステAR

Hikone Castle https://t.co/floPtuceLC
Kanpai! Japan @KanpaiJapan - 2020-11-03
[Today's Kanpai picture]
Hikone - Lake Biwa's Castle and its Japanese garden
https://t.co/395rcQVwCq https://t.co/HYxm9jnKyP
Photo Japan @PhotoJapanNews - 2020-11-02
Autumn light-up of moat and guard house at Hikone Castle in Shiga Prefecture: https://t.co/zajEiDuS5y
Japan's Local Treasures @J_LocalTreasure - 2020-11-01
Climb the vertiginous steps inside the keep of Hikone Castle, and look down on the castle defenses as well as the p… https://t.co/z0E5cQOQKw
kenzaru @seemonkey123 - 2020-11-01
#水野翠10万いいねプロジェクト
#水野翠
#デレステAR

Hikone Castle https://t.co/m12FVua1Xc
づも🎨Skebしてます @izuminomaru - 2020-11-01
HIKONE castle https://t.co/9ARweQufxD

Notes

Information
Basic information about traveling to Hikone Castle.
Opening Hours
Opening hours of Hikone Castle.
Closed
Closed days or periods of Hikone Castle.
Price / Entrance Fee
Price of the entrance ticket or other fees for Hikone Castle (if applicable).
Access / Public Transport
How to get to Hikone Castle with public transportation.
Related Links
Official website of Hikone Castle or other related pages.
Address / Location
Address and map of Hikone Castle.
Recommended
List of other recommended sightseeing spots.
Tweets
Tweets related to Hikone Castle.