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

Ajey @Paimaamu - 2020-07-08: Back in 2017 with my friend Atsushi Miyamoto at Hikone Castle. My teammate (not in this pic) and I presented a pape… https://t.co/rjS9QW05Xl
Sallie_Motion @SallieMotion - 2020-07-07: https://t.co/TWM3quwjg3

Inuyama Castle is also one of only five castles whose main keeps have been designated as n… https://t.co/3UE3erWtKC
Tim Barrable @timbo345 - 2020-07-07: Hikone Castle, my new picture on #Flickr https://t.co/yBgUIklZD7 #Photography https://t.co/Qfgaehdd9W
TheJapanChannel @TheJapanChannel - 2020-07-06: Gardens of Hikone Castle in Japan https://t.co/5Ki5ElUU25 via @YouTube
omotenashi-cx おもてなし @omotenashi_cx - 2020-07-06: a day out to Hikone Castle - Shiga Prefecture. https://t.co/wmIx5iowAd
LoneStarAvenger @LoneStarAvenge1 - 2020-07-04: National Treasure Hikone Castle.
https://t.co/BunVBDy3Ha https://t.co/W6M68H58eL
Huskadoon @huskadoon - 2020-07-02: @TheAn1meMan Yo if you're up by the top of Lake Biwa go see Hikone Castle and then down to Toyosato Elementary museum for the K-On! school
Das Pferd @tystogs - 2020-06-28: @Julietmarshy For Sakura, we based in Osaka & travelled to Kyoto, Hikone, Hiroshima, Miyajima and Yoshino in a week… https://t.co/B9ATx1ZZ8F
TheJapanChannel @TheJapanChannel - 2020-06-27: Driving Nagoya to Hikone Castle Japan https://t.co/BxNNL3egXt via @YouTube
Japan Web Magazine🎐🇯🇵Discover Japan with us @JapanWireless - 2020-06-23: ➡It was built in the Sengoku period and some of its parts have been declared as Japan National Treasure 👑🇯🇵 Like th… https://t.co/TBHcCUtTmq
Japanese Garden - Landscape OHTA NIWAISHI @OhtaNiwaishi - 2020-06-22: Crafted Lantern:Japanese Garden Materials & Elements

These are small-sized lantern that will match for 'Tsuboniwa'… https://t.co/2xe94pygDI
Shiga Headlines @ShigaHeadlines - 2020-06-18: All of Hikone Castle reopened on June 15. Tenshu main tower, Tenbin Yagura, Nishinomaru Turret, etc., are now open.… https://t.co/KVQfp7AKkr
Bill Waqalevu @BWaqalevu - 2020-06-16: Managed to squeeze in a short hike to Hikone Castle after reaching our pitstop yesterday. Today is an early start a… https://t.co/mZ4Y5wiibC
sakaguchioffice @sakaguchioffice - 2020-06-14: @JettyMustika1 @HumbleIndian @CherrylezamaPaz @GogPeterne @9SQT7RmzO20VKcQ @rozazalea @shellzfairy @ZEYNAZERDA… https://t.co/d7BEWPq0OP
Dr. Nyri A. Bakkalian @riversidewings - 2020-06-12: @pandls_progress I'm not a fan of Matsudaira Katamori, and besides, the man himself didn't consider himself worthy… https://t.co/rkEKf44IiD
Photo Japan @PhotoJapanNews - 2020-06-12: A wooden lantern glows in the night outside Hikone Castle wall in Shiga Prefecture: https://t.co/zajEiDuS5y
Shiga Headlines @ShigaHeadlines - 2020-06-06: Hikone Castle grounds are open, but the main buildings are closed: Tenshu main tower, Tenbin Yagura, & Nishinomaru… https://t.co/4eBZUIeYpN
Shiga Headlines @ShigaHeadlines - 2020-06-06: Major summer festivals and many fall festivals in Shiga have been canceled in 2020, including Yabusame Horseback Ar… https://t.co/bis3xwhLWC
wikipedia → philosophy @gettophilosophy - 2020-06-06: Sawayama Castle → Hikone, Shiga → Cities of Japan → Public administration → Public policy → Rational choice theory… https://t.co/r5fV5QCAmP
Kendal James @MissKendalJames - 2020-06-03: Went to Hikone Castle with a Hikone today (that means free entry - thanks Junpei)! STILL haven't been inside it but… https://t.co/DoVWx6v2DT
osutsukasa @osutsukasa - 2020-06-03: I just liked ““Let’s Gather in Hikone!” Promotional Video for the 410th Anniversary of Hikone Castle, a Nat… https://t.co/mOH47M7XTk
John Walton 🏳️‍🌈 ✈️ 🇪🇺 @thatjohn - 2020-05-29: Only 12 original castles are left:

Bitchu Matsuyama
Hikone*
Himeji*
Hirosaki*
Inuyama
Kochi
Marugame
Maruoka
Matsu… https://t.co/07K1pSZOUg
Sam Adriaens #7083 @1_1_2029 - 2020-05-27: @lilywhiteactual Picture taken December 9th, 2019 at Hikone. It was a full tree in bloom hidden away just north of… https://t.co/G6tSwKxXw5
Kinopio2018 @toad201811 - 2020-05-24: Hikonyan, a Japanese mascot, walks around Hikone Castle for the first time in three months.

https://t.co/3T7NeVM1vZ
Leah Sorkin @le_sork - 2020-05-23: Japan Reopens: Hikonyan, the famous cat mascot of Hikone Castle, makes his first appearance in three months (with s… https://t.co/4hDHLkDeor
allrite @allrite - 2020-05-21: Hikone Castle serves as a backdrop to the scenery of the Genkyuen gardens where you can sip tea while looking over… https://t.co/EkJnanW7PA
allrite @allrite - 2020-05-21: I made a lightning trip back to Kyoto in June 2011. My first destination was tiny Hikone Castle, overlooking Lake B… https://t.co/dhWqOSXGan
Chris Christensen @chris2x - 2020-05-20: One of the few survival castles from the feudal period of Japan is Hikone Castle. It is a quick side trip if you h… https://t.co/tBXunfbP0t
AllOverTheRoad @KevinKato - 2020-05-16: Japan's Hikone Castle: Cars Are Allowed?? -- https://t.co/2tLok1U0ou #japan #castle #travel #hikone #unesco #world #heritage
•Logan⁷• 💜 @lola_musicluv21 - 2020-05-16: 2016: Hikone Castle, Tokyo Tower x 2, Hikone Castle (ignore how out of order they are lol) https://t.co/Zxy49NjC3j