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

JamesGarton @JamesGRiach - 2019-05-19: Forgot to post the second half of my Golden Week so here it is, a couple weeks late 😅. I went back to Kyoto and to… https://t.co/1aa5cRlMhw
JamesGarton @JamesGartonR - 2019-05-19: Forgot to post the second half of my Golden Week so here it is, a couple weeks late 😅. I went back to Kyoto and to… https://t.co/1aa5cRlMhw
Nouval Baret @NouvalWay - 2019-05-19: 🌞🌂 @ Hikone Castle https://t.co/oi8Cclvwu7
The 3.2 Shooter / Loriene P @3point2shooter - 2019-05-14: Lake Biwa and Hira mountains as seen from Hikone castle in winter 🏞

Deep tranquil waters and (faintly seen) snow c… https://t.co/EvSFK9Wokr
The 3.2 Shooter / Loriene P @3point2shooter - 2019-05-09: Mount Ibuki, northwestern Hikone city and castle grounds 🏙🏯🏞

Such a glorious sight to see from the top of the cast… https://t.co/0NBxMDl8B1
なゆ@アルストちょい復帰、黒い @nyc0077 - 2019-05-09: @SAMSA60708171 @ageha_920 It is not me who went to Hikone Castle😂笑笑
ドバルトなゆ@アルストちょい復帰、黒い @nyc0077 - 2019-05-09: @SAMSA60708171 @ageha_920 It is not me who went to Hikone Castle😂笑笑
魅裟騎(みさき)@求職中 @MisakiPrimrose - 2019-05-09: HIKONE CASTLE🏯✨ https://t.co/YQbOXxjWEV
パン屋のメロンパン @morpho_tftf - 2019-05-04: The top left picture is Hikone castle /Japanese traditional castle. On the other hand, the others are the back of i… https://t.co/nMPYKBbXvP
パン屋のメロンパン @morpho_tftf - 2019-05-04: The top left picture is Hikone castle /Japanese traditional castle. On the other hand, the others are the back of i… https://t.co/nMPYKBbXvP
パン屋のメロンパンは休業中 @morpho_tftf - 2019-05-04: The top left picture is Hikone castle /Japanese traditional castle. On the other hand, the others are the back of i… https://t.co/nMPYKBbXvP
Stephen Donnachie @SteveDonnachie - 2019-05-03: The keep, moats, & gates of #Hikone #Castle, #Japan. One of the few castles in Japan still with its original keep… https://t.co/WzjNbpO6q5
The 3.2 Shooter / Loriene P @3point2shooter - 2019-05-03: Sawasen Japanese sweets shop outside Hikone castle 🍡

A visual reminder to self to return for the shop’s awesome m… https://t.co/GD6zblfjvI
Higgins In Japan 🐼 @Higgins82 - 2019-05-02: Hikone Castle and Lake Biwa. https://t.co/qeWMpUNLpA
Photo Japan @PhotoJapanNews - 2019-05-02: A floor lantern glows at the Omote Goten inside the Hikone Castle Museum in Shiga Prefecture, Japan: https://t.co/zajEiDdhe0
TokyoStreetView @TokyoStreetView - 2019-04-29: Hikone Castle
https://t.co/8COE8MREuP https://t.co/nzzu4X9KbI
Japan Rail Pass @jrailpass - 2019-04-27: #Hikone castle and city #TravelGuide https://t.co/42AmNnp3lS Take a step back in time as you consider this helpful… https://t.co/W0tgyVcDbX
Mr. Moose @OpenMoose - 2019-04-26: Character/mascot idea: a kangaroo who lives in a certain castle on the shores of Lake Biwa, Japan.
Call him

Hikone Joey
Kansai Traveler @GambareKansai - 2019-04-25: Cherry blossoms near Hikone Castle.

#japan #kansai #shiga #hikone #hikonecastle
#日本 #関西 #滋賀 #彦根 #彦根城 https://t.co/7RZExKbRyN
A. j @almshwadi - 2019-04-22: Hikone Castle in Cherry Blossom Season - 彦根城 - Japan As It Truly Is https://t.co/6TQEsjBq9f
petitNyan5 @petitNyan5 - 2019-04-20: A lot of cherry blossoms of this year were enjoyed

@ Hikone Castle https://t.co/1vUrAJn8zp
ALO JAPAN @alojapan - 2019-04-19: Japan Travel: If you didn't know, ...

#Cherryblossom #Flowersofinstagram #Hikonecastle #Igersjapan… https://t.co/6YGQH6LsuT
The 3.2 Shooter / Loriene P @3point2shooter - 2019-04-19: Hikone castle in winter 🏯

Tiny in comparison to Himeji and Osaka castle, but it is an all original structure. One… https://t.co/Lp0rg0dY2g
Australia in Japan @AustraliaInJPN - 2019-04-18: 🇦🇺@DJ_ChrisGlenn reveals the secrets of 🇯🇵castles on @NHKWorldNews_EN “Castle Quest”. Chris is well known in 🇯🇵 fo… https://t.co/GTUrXXqpk0
S. J. Pajonas @spajonas - 2019-04-18: Hikone Castle #japan #shiga https://t.co/NkCARgt9Fr
The 3.2 Shooter / Loriene P @3point2shooter - 2019-04-18: Traditional boat moves around Hikone castle moat 🏯

I don’t think I saw any tourists on that boat. It probably was… https://t.co/hRM0NkQmKC
Denise BuismanPilger @Artist_Abroad - 2019-04-17: On Sunday we enjoyed the magical Sakura in full bloom at Hikone Castle😍 @ Hikone, Shiga — in Hikone, Shiga, Japan https://t.co/mta3rXpP0N
nihonkamoshika @5230882 - 2019-04-17: 花筏（彦根城内堀）
Cherry blossom petals fallen on water (resembling a raft) of Hikone Castle moat.
#花 # #樱花 # #櫻花 # #花瓣 #… https://t.co/S69vSPJYuV
しのぶ @ukulele_fetish - 2019-04-16: Hikone Castle. https://t.co/bYSfU32zrf
Sightseeing Japan @SightseeingJap1 - 2019-04-11: Man oni Iriya Castle [1/3] in the deep mountains of the Hikone East, we went to the mysterious huge mountain ruins.… https://t.co/ucn8UqU0pr