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

L.J. Richbow @LJRichbow_Art - 2018-09-24: New artwork for sale! - 'Plum Blossoms at Hikone Castle' - https://t.co/wiF6gFQT7K @shoppixels https://t.co/c8sTh3fV5s
Globalwheels Japan @GlobalwheelsJPN - 2018-09-20: Enjoy the ride to Lake Biwa and onto Hikone castle. Bit wet today but that’s part of the beauty of the outdoors! 😂… https://t.co/DrNRobzEkX
Peoplesoft @Peoplesoft_USA - 2018-09-19: Exploring Japan's most fascinating samurai castles: Wandering around the grounds of Hikone Castle by Lake Biwa, in… https://t.co/raCbUUgybB
とりすたん @sir_tristan_ - 2018-09-19: Hikone castle and Eigen temple in Shiga prefecture . https://t.co/DVeMbT7guo
Afrodita @__gisleiry - 2018-09-17: 📷 luxuryera: Hikone Castle | Source https://t.co/MkDSKqyOrR
Rogue 13 @neophiyte - 2018-09-08: @ohcararara Koka, with the Koka ninja mansion was cool, hikone castle, Himeji (Himeji Castle), I second nara for th… https://t.co/F5CKTbTsO1
Being Kansai @BeingKansai - 2018-09-05: Hikone Castle in #Shiga closed today after being damaged by the typhoon https://t.co/C2B65Y1UKX
Shiga Headlines @ShigaHeadlines - 2018-09-05: In Shiga, Typhoon No. 21 (Jebi) has caused one fatality (age 71 man crushed in a collapsed warehouse in Higashi-Omi… https://t.co/ygbvmytNuN
Shiga Headlines @ShigaHeadlines - 2018-09-05: In Shiga, the number of people injured by Typhoon No. 21 (Jebi) has risen to 40. A preschool in Koka had its roof b… https://t.co/bdtF0nyvqR
Wally @iseeyou96cbn - 2018-09-04: i tell about one of traveling spot in Japan. That is Hikone Castle which is located in Hikone Mountain and... https://t.co/FUZ3epGLIm
Wally @iseeyou96cbn - 2018-09-04: i tell about one of traveling spot in Japan. That is Hikone Castle which is located in Hikone Mountain and... https://t.co/FUZ3epGLIm
Masterpiece of Japan @JapanTraCul - 2018-09-01: Hikone Castle, Shiga Pref. https://t.co/v5LFhy5wf0
ShotgunBen @shotgunben_ - 2018-09-01: #小松未歩全曲投票2018 #Echi #Hikone All these Miho countdowns jus bombarded me of memories of Echi & Hikone 20 yrs. ago. Wh… https://t.co/jsejVNUXMD
ShotgunBen @shotgunben_ - 2018-09-01: #小松未歩全曲投票2018 #Echi #Hikone All these Miho countdowns jus bombarded me of memories of Echi & Hikone 20 yrs. ago. Wh… https://t.co/jsejVNUXMD
Sharon Chen @SharonEChen - 2018-08-29: travellingthroughtheworld
Hikone Castle https://t.co/J6wRPgKMdt
Sharon Chen @SharonEChen - 2018-08-29: travellingthroughtheworld
Hikone Castle https://t.co/J6wRPgKMdt
Shiga Headlines @ShigaHeadlines - 2018-08-25: Typhoon No. 20 damaged white plaster walls on Hikone Castle's Tenbin Yagura & Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura, both National… https://t.co/OjGZ0WYu4s
有馬宏通 @alterangel2009 - 2018-08-25: HIKONE castle https://t.co/VqgLeiJtpa
有馬宏通 Nえひめ @alterangel2009 - 2018-08-25: HIKONE castle https://t.co/VqgLeiJtpa
Being Kansai @BeingKansai - 2018-08-24: Typhoon knocks off part of walls at Hikone Castle https://t.co/YpjXO3hxXd #hikone #shiga #kansai #japan
Ruben Viegas @viegas_ruben - 2018-08-24: @sherry_in_ehime We survived the Taifun in Osaka pretty well, i didn't hear about any Damages so far. But a Castle… https://t.co/5lxO6CsoJ6
nick @nr7000 - 2018-08-24: @theleong PRAY FOR TEH CASTLE HIKONE https://t.co/AcaQMyBcdR
Japan Rail Pass @jrailpass - 2018-08-21: #Hikone Castle and city #travelguide https://t.co/42AmNnGEKs What does this mystic destination hold in store for yo… https://t.co/YThmIyFNmw
Rai@PART 5 ANIME @raikamudapon - 2018-08-20: Hikone Castle is one of the few castles around with a lot of original architecture remaining...
Japan Rail Pass @jrailpass - 2018-08-09: #Hikone Castle and city #travelguide https://t.co/42AmNnGEKs Enjoy the natural beauty of this castle! Photo by… https://t.co/Q7K4aUVMZo
Japan Rail Pass @jrailpass - 2018-08-06: #Hikone Castle and city #travelguide https://t.co/42AmNnGEKs Visit with your #jrailpass one of #Japan's national tr… https://t.co/3L7DKVsNQQ
零崎人識 // Cable @CableOW - 2018-08-06: okay image dump time lol

Hikone Castle + Matsuri! was fun going here with friends from my lab. the fireworks were… https://t.co/tfCodm1BtC
Simon P McDermott @SimonPMcDermott - 2018-08-03: Back on a train today. On the way to another castle. As usual train perfectly to schedule.
#EnglishManInJapan @ Hi… https://t.co/plgFVf3PRf
Simon P McDermott @SimonPMcDermott - 2018-08-03: Nice place to have a look around. Very hot again.
#EnglishManInJapan #HikoneCastle @ Hikone Castle https://t.co/32j7TIpkNd
Simon P McDermott @SimonPMcDermott - 2018-08-03: The castle itself was good to have a look around as well - even if they haven’t finished building it yet!… https://t.co/RLn4gNhwZm
Simon P McDermott @SimonPMcDermott - 2018-08-03: The views from the top were incredible. Hilkone castle well worth a visit.
#EnglishManInJapan #HilkoneCastle @ Hik… https://t.co/kaJK74iyzi