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

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
Jonathan Wight @schwa - 2019-06-30: (The ryokan in Genkyuen gardens in the grounds of Hikone castle. The scene where Richard Chamberlain explains how h… https://t.co/FnrX5rxgKY
Sean McGeough @Sean_McGeough14 - 2019-06-30: And a bell #photo #photographer #photography #nature #naturephotography #travelling #travel #travelphotography… https://t.co/oa1bdMNGDd
Sean McGeough @Sean_McGeough14 - 2019-06-30: Castle view #photo #photographer #photography #nature #naturephotography #travelling #travel #travelphotography… https://t.co/tZchh69pon
Sean McGeough @Sean_McGeough14 - 2019-06-30: Cloudy day #photo #photographer #photography #nature #naturephotography #travelling #travel #travelphotography… https://t.co/bssmS38tb2
Sean McGeough @Sean_McGeough14 - 2019-06-30: Hikone castle from the garden #photo #photographer #photography #nature #naturephotography #travelling #travel… https://t.co/jvE7cmY67i
Sean McGeough @Sean_McGeough14 - 2019-06-30: Hikone castle under construction #photo #photographer #photography #nature #naturephotography #travelling #travel… https://t.co/jVEgkQoKKM
Sean McGeough @Sean_McGeough14 - 2019-06-30: No fish sadly #photo #photographer #photography #nature #naturephotography #travelling #travel #travelphotography… https://t.co/pFkaZh02CJ
Sean McGeough @Sean_McGeough14 - 2019-06-30: Old style #photo #photographer #photography #nature #naturephotography #travelling #travel #travelphotography… https://t.co/Qq6YUBmUH8
Sean McGeough @Sean_McGeough14 - 2019-06-30: Rainy day at Hikone castle #photo #photographer #photography #nature #naturephotography #travelling #travel… https://t.co/NQDkaw1uvu
Sean McGeough @Sean_McGeough14 - 2019-06-30: View from Hikone castle #photo #photographer #photography #nature #naturephotography #travelling #travel… https://t.co/wf9hDisoOY
omotenashi-cx @omotenashi_cx - 2019-06-28: Hikone Castle is a great place to day trip out of #kyoto
and the weather in the autumn is glorious

#japan… https://t.co/crIPGOkISB
Charity Schmidt @CharityESchmidt - 2019-06-27: I did realize there were castles in Japan . I learn something new every day. 1.Himeji Castle, Japan 2. Hikone Castl… https://t.co/36L1oyAZ1I
Mike Hattsu @mikehattsu - 2019-06-26: Love Live - Hikone Castle
https://t.co/rew9EXyiDg

#seichijunrei #聖地巡礼
#butaitanbou
#lovelive #ラブライブ https://t.co/ewcM6vdlCm
OG おじさん @CorvoSol - 2019-06-26: @mikehattsu a cruel blow to the one boy in my school who is a diehard love live fanboy.

Fun fact, Hikone Castle is… https://t.co/QG00DnjGAn
The Real Japan @TheRealJapan1 - 2019-06-24: I just added a new Pin to Japan : Mascots & Characters: Hikonyan, the samurai cat mascot of Hikone Castle.… https://t.co/8JcArALBa7
Monkey Buckles @Monkey_Buckles - 2019-06-21: @dynamic_jonas Is that Hikone Castle?
🗻Sleepy ニャン😺 @BasementNyanko - 2019-06-20: @Tokyonobo Most enjoyable: Hikone Castle and meeting my friend, Hikonyan and the town area with lots of Hikonyan ev… https://t.co/5YBe8E5pTt
omotenashi-cx @omotenashi_cx - 2019-06-19: @TheRealJapan1 Don't challenge me! I used to play Kendo!

;)

My trip to Hikone castle was one of the many highligh… https://t.co/SqrYSNUmvM
omotenashi-cx @omotenashi_cx - 2019-06-19: @TheRealJapan1 I'll see your Samurai Sword and raise you a genuine Samurai Castle! (Hikone) https://t.co/s9PgwVhmkQ
Kristine Ohkubo @AuthorKristineO - 2019-06-17: #Hikone #Castle was built by the #Ii clan under the orders of #Tokugawa Ieyasu. All of the materials used to build… https://t.co/hzPBFS8Dvo
BearRepublicNetwork @BearRepublicNet - 2019-06-15: Hikonyan is the official mascot of Hikone Castle in Hikone. I’m bummed that the highly profitable mascot of Hikone… https://t.co/zKCAPmABy2
Adam Factor @The_AdamFactor - 2019-06-14: So, I'll admit I haven't 100% finished cleaning up at home from my vacation unpacking. But it's had the wonderful e… https://t.co/l7Ou4ImhAP