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

DigeV @dige_v - 2020-04-08: https://t.co/Q2553ajFvP
Scroll of Japan - the last descentant - explore the Hikone castle [still in construct]… https://t.co/wuIykzaADS
sakaguchioffice @sakaguchioffice - 2020-04-08: @MariaGa91000049 @rho14WTPUX4HhQn 😀　HIKONE　CASTLE https://t.co/hXacA5091g
sakaguchioffice @sakaguchioffice - 2020-04-08: @Tinagchr @tj8mDBW1UHsMRzM 😀　HIKONE　CASTLE https://t.co/wg7hpzFJ9j
sakaguchioffice @sakaguchioffice - 2020-04-08: @rob_sieben @kunsthalleemden 😀　HIKONE　CASTLE https://t.co/Iij454UmQl
Tsukamo @Tsukamo12 - 2020-04-07: Cherry blossoms in Hikone castle in Japan https://t.co/l72wEaTSlq
sakaguchioffice @sakaguchioffice - 2020-04-02: @JettyMustika1 @jp1and2 @HumbleIndian @DJdZ8EdB2hmJ3R4 @9SQT7RmzO20VKcQ @rozazalea @shellzfairy @ZEYNAZERDA @z_zaan… https://t.co/kObwJYlyYp
sakaguchioffice @sakaguchioffice - 2020-04-02: @MSpadine @BedirOzdogan @SophiaPapadop10 @Katyayan27 @RosaNegra_08 @heroldbarton @mirtaimperatori @MMuller2019… https://t.co/vAAiTqKuCL
sakaguchioffice @sakaguchioffice - 2020-04-02: @Mehta19Brijesh 😀　HIKONE　CASTLE https://t.co/wUbxbg13cQ
sakaguchioffice @sakaguchioffice - 2020-04-02: @donjbentley54 😀　HIKONE　CASTLE https://t.co/6IxsocJi6h
sakaguchioffice @sakaguchioffice - 2020-04-02: @nana1_khanyi @DonaldInDenial 😀　HIKONE　CASTLE https://t.co/hM2oQnkUv0
里恵 @rieloves3104 - 2020-04-02: I watched cherry blossoms in HIkone castle last year https://t.co/pl7vsaNuGG https://t.co/5mZxmFxw7r
Kendal James @MissKendalJames - 2020-03-31: Hikone Castle gardens were nice to walk around this afternoon. Japanese gardens feature bridges, stones, moss, wate… https://t.co/1cb6WDZ79s
Kendal James @MissKendalJames - 2020-03-31: I walked around Hikone castle with friends toys afternoon. It was wonderful. The cherry blossoms are finally arrivi… https://t.co/8oUTLc5KN4
vixey @vix_ey - 2020-03-29: @fruitmart his name is 'hikonyan' and he oversees hikone castle! sometimes if you're lucky, he might do a dance in front of it!
vixey @vix_ey - 2020-03-29: @fruitmart his name is 'hikonyan' and he oversees hikone castle! sometimes if you're lucky, he might do a dance in front of it!
Oxfordshire Woodland Group @OWGGroup - 2020-03-18: Yester year saw the use of wildly wavy timber in the roof of the guard house at Hikone castle in Japan and one can… https://t.co/Y1H9Xz4itD
Kansai Photos @KansaiPhotos - 2020-03-17: It is a bit too late for a good view of plum blossoms at Hikone Castle.
Hikone is one of the later blooming plum bl… https://t.co/9NS21gFbw9
JW_The_Great @JohnWorth5 - 2020-03-16: @donnyjkimball Himeji is still my favorite, mainly because I remember it before it was overrun with tourists. But I… https://t.co/Sy7RTkl4sp
Writers VKKV @writersvkkv - 2020-03-16: @donnyjkimball Vinni: I, too, am fond of Hikone. Largely because I went to school in Hikone-shi for several months.… https://t.co/clmUkEg7Rp
🎌 Donny Kimball 🎌 @donnyjkimball - 2020-03-16: This is my favorite Japanese castle. What's your favorite? https://t.co/SK42jyUnnT
Pedro~ ぺどろ @shi_no_hai - 2020-03-12: @tetsuowl There is nothing much there right? Hikone has the castle at least
Shiga Headlines @ShigaHeadlines - 2020-03-08: Most March events/festivals in Shiga canceled. Museums in Shiga like Lake Biwa Museum closed until March 16. Hikone… https://t.co/vTvRWo1UUy
Team Albert @AlbertMylesAM - 2020-03-07: Hikone Castle In A Rainy Day https://t.co/jzHFfi2lpr Via @MuzaChan
𝔐𝔞𝔯𝔱𝔶 𝔑𝔞𝔠𝔨 @martynack1 - 2020-03-01: Hello Hikone castle!!! https://t.co/XvCapmgRHj
Shiga Headlines @ShigaHeadlines - 2020-02-29: Due to the coronavirus scare, Hikone mascot Hiko-nyan will no longer appear at Hikone Castle and other events from… https://t.co/puUYYIMtXu
mai&kiki魔女の宅急便 @maikiki30056067 - 2020-02-22: National treasure 'Hikone Castle' https://t.co/izkvl403lo
time manmachine @togawalegend - 2020-02-18: American volunteer tour guide in Japan enchanted by historical Hikone Castle, surroundings - The Mainichi https://t.co/R8jugJTZWn
carina 🍊🍊 @carina38925315 - 2020-02-17: American volunteer tour guide in Japan enchanted by historical Hikone Castle, surroundings - The Mainichi https://t.co/3xPEDviGDE
Anthony Arno @AnthonyArno - 2020-02-16: Hikone castle is also located near the lake. So far my 2nd favorite castle in Japan - I've only visited 5 though 😀 https://t.co/QMn21D5Vg5
Anthony Arno @AnthonyArno - 2020-02-16: Hikone castle is also located near the lake. So far my 2nd favorite castle in Japan - I've only visited 5 though 😀 https://t.co/QMn21D5Vg5
Japan Art @JPN_ART - 2020-02-14: Hikone Castle https://t.co/OH5NuJ6idP
Japan Art @JapanArt_ - 2020-02-14: Hikone Castle https://t.co/OH5NuJ6idP
Yoga Krismawardana @mr_ykw - 2020-02-13: @T_in_Japan I went to Hikone Castle and never forget the view of Lake Biwa from up there
WesternPeregrine @JFrost89 - 2020-02-12: Hikone Castle, #hikone #hikonecastle, part 3, February 10.
Views from the main keep em Hikone Castle 国宝彦根城 https://t.co/gol2YFQxee