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

🗻Sleepy ニャン😺 @BasementNyanko - 2019-03-23: After a hike, I made it to his house! #Hikone Castle! #彦根 https://t.co/T37zrV5SC6
Dr. George Yagi Jr. @gyagi_jr - 2019-03-21: Once the seat of the Ii Clan, Hikone Castle is now listed as a national treasure in Japan. #Hikone #HikoneCastle… https://t.co/hbEyS5UNnf
SHIKIBU @SHIKIBU_Automat - 2019-03-17: A stone wall of the Hikone castle and Cherry Blossoms.
- The Hikone castle(彦根城) in Hikone city, Shiga Prefecture, J… https://t.co/CuFGraUoe5
JCMU Japan Center @Japan_Center - 2019-03-16: The plum blossoms are opening at Hikone Castle! https://t.co/bDx6lHu6pV
kaishu @w_kaishu - 2019-03-16: Hikone castle https://t.co/MTRPuMVlLe
Claire / クレア @claireinjapann - 2019-03-14: @PeachMilky_ Nagahama! It’s only about 1 hour from Kyoto and is a quiet town on Lake Biwa! The scenery is gorgeous… https://t.co/BmGTDvyou8
Jev @ back in 🇨🇦 @jjevmori - 2019-03-11: Hikone Castle 🏯 https://t.co/NWZ4n6mhOl
kevin chan / 陳家朗 @orbitingpods - 2019-03-01: hikone castle is home to one of my favourite japanese mascots, the super adorable hikonyan ☺️ https://t.co/k0e2SFfOve
Rob Clare @RobAClare - 2019-02-28: The lake, a bike ride and another castle - Hikone - Nagahama 12th January 2019 Another Japanese holiday... https://t.co/mYewwX88eB
Adrian Larose @ExploratoryNote - 2019-02-26: Explored #Japan recently and built some (relationship) bridges between there and #Canada as part of #kakehashi2018.… https://t.co/9HiywZ4jOE
Jekyll Chen @Jekyll_Chen - 2019-02-26: #彥根城 #hikonecastle #hikone #滋賀 #japan #castle #japancastle #2019 #iphone #iphoneography #iphonexsmax… https://t.co/J6WmBnPk5H
JCMU Japan Center @Japan_Center - 2019-02-21: Have you ever been to the serene Genkyu-en Garden? It's right next to Hikone Castle! #StudyinShiga
~
(📷 by JCMU stu… https://t.co/R3iGAtNSN0
SFU World Literature @SFUWL - 2019-02-21: Onward to Hikone Castle, built in the early 17th century. Listed as a national treasure, it also has a killer view… https://t.co/yZeiGbxFyk
BearRepublicNetwork @BearRepublicNet - 2019-02-19: What an amazing place, this land of Japan. Nijo-Jo Castle is only the first I’ve taken you along with. I’ve been… https://t.co/boVEOq0283
dige v @dige_v - 2019-02-19: bottom center of hikone castle (terrain and wall only)
#RPGツクール #rpgmaker #rpgmakerMV #gamedev #indiedev #japan… https://t.co/DWY9SjXFq8
dige v @dige_v - 2019-02-19: bottom left of hikone castle
#RPGツクール #rpgmaker #rpgmakerMV #gamedev #indiedev #japan #hikoneCastle… https://t.co/i9sBN3SsCb
dige v @dige_v - 2019-02-19: bottom right of hikone castle (terrain and wall only)
#RPGツクール #rpgmaker #rpgmakerMV #gamedev #indiedev #japan… https://t.co/536tVKFXKm
Erik Martenson @kaarvok - 2019-02-18: Wow! Just, wow! This is the actual view from our room. #hikone #castle #japan (@ Hikone Castle Resort & Spa in 彦根市,… https://t.co/e5Gfi491sF
S. J. Pajonas @spajonas - 2019-02-10: Hikone Castle Hikone, Shiga Prefecture Japan One of the 12 remaining original castle keeps in Japan! https://t.co/HmQH5KM72s
Mei Kat 💖 狂渦冥 @meikatk - 2019-01-29: @iamvore i tell you what, it certainly felt like i was hallucinating when i saw this while leaving Hikone Castle https://t.co/dGftfYAsDB
Ninja Baker & Baking @NinjaBaking - 2019-01-28: Lake Biwa and Hikone Castle are definitely worth a detour for #Kyoto visitors ⛩ https://t.co/INwsBqFcNn
Teha ✧ @Fatihah_24 - 2019-01-25: @halcastella I see! I can’t wait to see Lake Biwa✨ I’ll be sure to show you some pictures once I get there 👍 Hopefu… https://t.co/scyq3o0kzC
Teha ✧ @Fatihah_24 - 2019-01-25: @halcastella Thank you! Lake Biwa is one of the biggest lake in Japan, is it? And thank you for telling me! I’ll tr… https://t.co/2TdRe2n6eH
ハルコ @halcastella - 2019-01-25: @Fatihah_24 Yes, Lake Biwa is so big and beautiful like the sea. It is one of my favorite spot in Japan✨ But it tak… https://t.co/41PtNjKbk6
Kristen Abroad | Travel blogger @kristenabroad - 2019-01-24: Tada! My second favorite Japanese Castle of the original 12 remaining. This is Hikone (and the view from the beauti… https://t.co/NX7WaAj1d0
ハルコ @halcastella - 2019-01-24: @Fatihah_24 I'm very happy to hear your news! Otsu is famous for a big lake and it takes 15 minites to Kyoto by tra… https://t.co/jY6kRPYGvK
Kristen Abroad | Travel blogger @kristenabroad - 2019-01-23: Hikone Castle is my number 2 out of the 12 original castles of Japan. Part of the reason is this beautiful garden!… https://t.co/G97UIq9Br7
John D. Bartone @jdbart1 - 2019-01-22: On the bank of a moat at Hikone Castle. #tree #botanical #roots #japan #travel #travelnow #traveladdicted… https://t.co/HjKbz2MPph
SHIKIBU @SHIKIBU_Automat - 2019-01-22: Winter in Japan.(20)
- Hikone castle in Hikone city, Shiga Prefecture, Japan.
#Japan #Shiga #CoolJapan? #ColdJapan… https://t.co/QJ2cbPBPkb
ゾンビランドうけ @uksncamera - 2019-01-22: @miyabin_yn oh～　HIKONE　Castle～