[2025 Hikone Attraction] Travel Guide for Hikone Castle (Updated Jul)

#AprilGoodDestinations2025 Hikone Castle is located in Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. Hikone Castle is one of the only five remaining wooden castles in Japan. Also known as the Golden Turtle Castle, it is a designated national treasure and national monument in Japan. Hikone Castle was built in 1604 and has a history of more than 400 years. It was the residence of the Ii family, who held high positions in the Tokugawa shogunate for generations. After arriving at Kansai Airport at noon, we immediately went to the airport car rental company to pick up and inspect the vehicle, then rushed to Hikone Castle. After more than two hours of driving, we finally arrived, but there was only less than half an hour left before the closing time of 17:00, so we decided to buy a ticket to visit. It was just that time was too rushed, so I just picked up my phone to take some photos. I left Hikone Castle on time at 17:00 and prepared to go back to the hotel to rest.

#100 Travel Style The illuminated cherry blossoms at Hikone Castle were so beautiful★Hikone Castle Sakura Festival 2023 is currently being held. Smartphone photos are taken at the end. Location: Shiga. Title: Hikone Castle Sakura Illumination 2023 Spot name: Hikone Castle Address: 1-1 Kanagicho, Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture Opening hours: 18:30-20:45 (illuminated) Tips for taking photos: Anyone can easily take the first photo with a smartphone Note: The first composition is prohibited from tripods and sitting down There was a photo spot at the outer moat I was walking around the inner moat (((((*==) but there was nothing! I thought I should go home, but then I found a photo spot The smartphone photo is in the 6th photo, so please use it as a reference (tsu) The photo was taken on 3/30, so please hurry (=__)9 #HikoneCastle #SakuraSpot #ShigaToco #ShigaTouristSightseeing #ShigaTourism #Sakura #ShigaPrefecture #ShigaSakura

#Japan Attractions Hikone Castle in Shiga Prefecture is near Nagoya and Kyoto, but its lack of bright and dazzling fame gives Hikone Castle a more peaceful and beautiful atmosphere. If you don't like hustle and bustle or want to find a small town suitable for meditation, Hikone Castle is worth staying in for a while. The castle tower is one of only five remaining in Japan and has profound historical value. When you come to this town and enjoy the leisurely atmosphere around you, remember to go up to the top floor of the castle to overlook Lake Biwa and the entire city and feel the aura of the town! #castle #meditation #town #yoga #yoga retreat #vertebral arch fracture #isthmus fracture #sadhguru #historical value #classical beauty

#Japan Attractions Hikone Castle Tower is the landmark of Hikone Castle. It is very convenient to take the JR railway line from Kyoto Station to Hikone Station, so you can depart at any time. The opening hours of Hikone Castle Tower are from 8:30am to 5pm, which is the opening time of the moat gate under the castle. There are three ticket entrances to the castle: Otemon Bridge, Omotemon Bridge, and Kuromon Bridge. It is worth noting that no matter which ticket entrance you go through, it is a long way to get to the castle tower. It takes about 30 minutes to walk from the castle tower on the top of the mountain to the main entrance ticket office. The last admission to the castle on the top of the mountain is 4:30pm, so it is recommended to enter before 2pm. The bird's eye view of Hikone Castle from the castle tower is really beautiful, it's worth it no matter how tiring it is! #Hikone Castle #castle #meditation #yoga #yoga retreat #vertebral arch fracture #isthmic arch fracture #sadhguru #castle tower #Hikone station #moat

#Japan Attractions Wandering around downtown Hikone is a great way to explore. The town hall and specialty shops on the main street are so attractive that you can't help but stop and take a look. The town hall is a building with a nice design. We passed by a plus-size clothing store which also looked nice to shop at and buy some oversized coats as spring wear. It was getting dark when we reached Hikomoto Town. Watching the afterglow of the sunset shining on the roofs and wooden walls of the quaint Japanese white wooden buildings, against the backdrop of the incomparable beauty of spring, Hikone Castle is an ancient town that can calm people and calm their minds. IG: meditation_me_time #AncientTown #HikoneCastle #Honmachi #Yoga #YogaRetreat #Sadhguru #Spring #SlowLife

Hikone Castle, built by Ii Naotsugu and Naotaka, is a castle designated as a special national historic site 🏯 It's a small castle, but once inside, there are a series of steep stairs, so it was a bit difficult to get to the top floor 🤣 This castle is famous for being able to meet Hikonyan, the king of mascot characters 💕 A show by Hikonyan is held every day, so I recommend you check it out! It was a cute and relaxing show ✨ 📍1-1 Kanagicho, Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture (15 minutes walk from Hikone Station) #Shiga #ShigaTourism #HikoneCastle #Hikonyan

#2023travelwish This is the Hikone castle situated in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture. It takes approximately an hour train ride from Kyoto station. Hikone is a small and quiet town, an off-beaten path. The castle can be reached within 15 minutes in foot. I really love the castle as the mascot is so cute and it does small performances too! The castle is three-storey tall and there is also a garden to explore~ There is also a mountain view to enjoy. I love it so much that I’ve visited twice! 😂 I wish that I can visit more castles in the future ~

Hikone Castle in Shiga Prefecture is one of the five national treasures, and its existing castle tower is also known as Kinki Castle. It was built over a period of 20 years by Naotsugu and Naotaka, sons of Ii Naomasa. Currently, Hikonyan, a white cat modeled after Naotaka, is very popular, and you can see Hikonyan at Hikone Castle every day. In autumn, the garden is lit up, and you can enjoy the beautiful autumn leaves and the shining white castle. 📌Visited on November 25th #AutumnTrip #HikoneCastle #Shiga #AutumnFoliageSpot #AutumnFoliageViewing #LightUp #CastleTour

#greentrip #greentravel #japan With the recent news of Japan set to open up soon by October, there will soon be a lot who will be looking forward to visiting Japan soon. On our last Japan trip, we had mostly used the train, which is considered as one of the sustainable & eco-friendly ways of traveling around. Do you know that electric trains emit a lot less CO2 as compared to road & air travel? Traveling by train can be around 10 times less CO2 emissions as compared to traveling by air. Traveling by train is also more efficient as a lot more people can board a train than other public transportation such as buses & cars. In addition to these, it's also more enjoyable as you can admire the scenery while the train brings you to the different cities. We had bought the JR West Pass & used the trains to go to Kyoto, Nara and Hikone, where we then walked quite a fair bit around the different attractions, temples, parks and Hikone Castle. With the cool spring weather, walking while taking in the beautiful scenery is recommended, and of course a much more eco-friendly way of travel too. Just make sure that you travel light and have a water bottle/reusable bottle.

This is Hikone Castle in Shiga Prefecture. I drove to Hikone Castle, and there was a parking lot nearby, which was convenient. There was also a cute mascot character, Hikonyan. As for the castle itself, it was interesting to see all sorts of intricate details. There are also plenty of restaurants, so it's a recommended tourist spot.

Hikone Castle is a quick stop away from the Shinkansen. It's one stop from Maibara Station to Hikone Station, and from there it's about a 15-20 minute walk. One of the few castles with a remaining castle tower, it's a small but beautiful sight that you can look at for ages. The view of Lake Biwa is also magnificent. Perhaps because the grounds are so large, it's surprisingly not visible from the surrounding area, so when you finally reach the top after climbing the stone steps and see the castle tower, you'll be quite excited. The admission fee is 800 yen, which also allows you to see Genkyuen Garden on the grounds.

I visited Hikone Castle. I went with a history buff and he said, "It's a traditional structure. There are many ingenious measures that make it difficult for enemies to attack." I think it's meant to be difficult to attack, but it's located on a slight hill and has a great view. I went at dusk, so there were few tourists and it was a quiet and relaxed time. #2021c #Retro townscape

Hikone Castle is located in Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture. This is the home ground of Hikonyan, the mascot character that took the world by storm a few years ago. Hikonyan shows are held here several times a day. He's so cute and hasn't lost his charms... You should definitely see him... Also, I love Omi beef, it's tender and juicy. #Snowscape #FreeSpot

Hikone Castle in Shiga Prefecture Hikone Castle in Shiga Prefecture is famous for its mascot character Hikonyan. It is especially recommended to visit during the autumn leaves and cherry blossom seasons. I have been there several times, and Hikonyan sometimes greets you at the entrance, and you can take photos with him. You have to climb very steep steps to reach the castle tower. Hikone Castle 1-1 Kanagicho, Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture #Autumn Leaves #Maple

#Hikone Hikone Castle is a national treasure. There are only five national treasure castles in Japan, so it is one of the precious castles. You can enjoy the view of Hikone City and the surrounding towns from the castle tower. (However, there is a fence.) In addition, Ii Naosuke, who was born here in Hikone, was the protagonist of the first taiga drama, and there is a stone monument in his honor. (Outside the castle) Also, Hikone City's mascot, Hikonyan. It was on display at a stone statue shop in the city. Also, Omi Chanpon, a specialty of Shiga Prefecture. Omi Chanpon itself is said to have originated in Moriyama City, but it is very delicious and contains a lot of vegetables, so it is a healthy dish. Also, although I did not visit this time, the annual Birdman Contest is also held in Hikone City, and I think there are still many wonderful places to see in Hikone. By the way, the time spent on the ground on this trip was about 3 hours. #Summer trip

The most significant and historical building and castle in the city of Hikone, Shiga, Japan. You walk up lots of stairs while you visit here. The museum was excellent and had a lot of English on signs and many beautiful artifacts and an Edo house on show here. Then up the stairs to the castle to join a small queue up ladder stairs to get to the top! Great adventure. We then walked to the plum orchard via nesting herons which was a beautiful walk. Popped into the garden the plum orchard walk was so gorgeous we skipped walking around the small garden. Highly recommended trip from Kyoto- only an hour on the train and we spent all morning walking to and around the castle ( about 15 mins walk from train station). Definitely worth a visit, castle, museum and garden with a nice view. #givethanks #givethanks

I visited Hikone Castle in Shiga! As one of the 12 remaining original castle keeps in Japan and designated as a National Treasure, its majestic structure has stood unchanged for about 400 years since its construction, making it a must-visit spot for Japanese history enthusiasts. Crossing the Omotemon Bridge and walking slowly along the stone-walled slope, I felt as if I was being drawn into history. Carefully climbing the steep stairs, I reached the top floor of the castle keep, where a breathtaking panoramic view of Lake Biwa and Hikone city unfolded before me. The admission ticket also includes entry to Genkyuen Garden. Strolling leisurely through the garden, admiring the reflection of the castle keep in the pond, or enjoying a boat ride across the water offered a serene and luxurious experience. Additionally, encountering Hikonyan, the adorable mascot character, added a heartwarming touch to the visit. Walking through the castle town, where the samurai culture of the Edo period still lingers, I experienced a fulfilling journey that combined history, nature, and relaxation. Hikone Castle is not only visually stunning but also a place where you can immerse yourself in a "time-travel" experience with all your senses. I’d love to visit again! 📍 1-1 Konkicho, Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture 🕰️ 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM 💰 Admission Fee: 1,000 yen

Located in Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture, Hikone Castle was built in 1604 by Naotsugu, the son of Ii Naomasa, a hereditary daimyo under the Tokugawa shogunate. The construction took approximately 20 years to complete, and the castle served as a crucial stronghold for stabilizing Tokugawa rule in western Japan. Today, Hikone Castle is one of Japan's 12 surviving original castles and one of the five designated National Treasure castles. It retains its complete castle structure, including turrets, gates, stone walls, and moats, making it a site of significant cultural and historical value. The castle is about a 15-minute walk from JR Hikone Station. 🕰️ Operating Hours: Hikone Castle area: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Last entry at 4:30 PM) 💰 Admission: Hikone Castle + Museum Combo Ticket: Adults ¥1,200

#AbsolutelyFreeTrip [Experience a time slip at the national treasure Hikone Castle🏯] You might even meet Hikonyan⁉️ Hikone Castle, the pride of Shiga Prefecture, is a beautiful castle that still retains its Edo period appearance. The view from the stone walls, turrets, and castle tower is truly a historical romance✨ The cherry blossoms in spring and the autumn leaves in autumn add color, showing different expressions with each season🍁🌸 And don't forget Hikone Castle's idol, Hikonyan! If you're lucky, there are events where you can meet him for free🎵 The key to success on this trip is to enter the castle first thing in the morning. There are few people, so you can enjoy the quiet castle interior to your heart's content. Strolling around the castle town will make you feel even more like you're traveling👘 [Access] About a 15-minute walk from JR Hikone Station. The road from the station to the castle has a retro and fun atmosphere 🚶♂️ Domestic travel #couples trip #solo trip #absolutely free trip #Hikone Castle #Hikonyan #national treasure #castle tour #Shiga trip #historical romance

The place is beautiful, quiet and worth visiting.

🚐 Kansai Private Car One-Day Tour Diary ✐✐ For this family trip, we chose a private car tour starting from Kyoto. The itinerary was packed yet relaxing, combining history, lake views, and shrines all in one.✨ 1️⃣ First stop was the historic Hikone Castle. Although we didn’t get to see the adorable Hikonyan mascot, the tranquility of the castle grounds was truly soothing.ᐟ‪‪.ᐟ 2️⃣ Next, we took a boat ride on Hachiman-bori Canal. The traditional canal scenery was incredibly calming⛵️～ 3️⃣ In the afternoon, we visited the magnificent Lake Biwa, enjoying the lake breeze and sunshine. At the dreamy Shirahige Shrine, we captured stunning reflections of the torii gate in the water⛩️🌅～ The day ended with drop-off in Osaka, and everyone was all smiles😊✨. Having a private car made everything so convenient, from handling luggage to taking care of kids and elders.👍

I went to Hikone Castle to meet Hikonyan, who is one of the cutest mascots and I've always wanted to meet him! His movements were so cute! And there was a quiz about Hikonyan, so it was fun even though it was a short time! Just looking at him was really relaxing! Of course, we also visited Hikone Castle. The building was beautiful, and the surrounding gardens were also lovely! Please go and see it! 📍Location: 1-1 Kanagicho, Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture, 522-0061, Japan #EnjoyJapan

#cherryblossom25 If you’re in Kyoto or nearby, here are some amazing spots to experience the beauty of the season, perfect for a leisurely stroll or a relaxing day out: Fushimi Jikkoku-bune (伏见十石舟): Take a boat ride along the river and enjoy a peaceful walk along the shore. The sunset here is absolutely gorgeous, creating a magical atmosphere! Yamashina River (鸭川): A scenic spot for a stroll, perfect for soaking in the cherry blossom views by the water. Philosopher's Path (哲学之道): A beautiful, tranquil path lined with sakura trees, ideal for a reflective walk surrounded by the beauty of nature. Backyard of the Kamogawa (背割堤): This is a great spot for a picnic, with picturesque cherry trees lining the riverside. Perfect for enjoying a laid-back afternoon! Hikone Castle (彦根城): Located near Lake Biwa, it’s a scenic one-day trip by car, offering stunning views of the lake and the blooming sakura around the castle. Arashiyama (岚山): Famous for its bamboo groves and cherry blossoms, a must-see spot that also gives you a glimpse of traditional Kyoto beauty. Shirahigawa (白鸟川): Near Lake Biwa, another hidden gem for enjoying cherry blossoms along the river. Perfect for a peaceful escape! #naturalwonders

#AprilGoodDestinations2025 ## Hikone Castle is one of the oldest castles in Japan, with a long history and rich stories. Although often overlooked by tourists, its architectural and cultural value cannot be underestimated. Built in the 17th century, the castle is famous for its imposing keep and beautiful walls. Hikone Castle is not only a fortification, but also the residence of the samurai at that time, carrying many historical stories. Visitors can admire the traditional Japanese architectural style here and learn about the historical background of the castle through exhibitions in the city. Hikone Castle is a great place to experience Japanese history and culture, and it is worth every traveler's careful appreciation! 🌸🏰

#AprilGoodDestinations2025 Hikone Castle is a castle located in Kinki-cho, Hikone City, Shiga Prefecture, Japan. The castle tower in the castle is listed as a national treasure of Japan and is one of the twelve existing castle towers. The ancient city of Hikone has completely preserved the city-building style before the Edo period. The cherry blossoms in full bloom gracefully sway over the moat with the help of the breeze. Hikone City is less than an hour's drive from Kyoto and is located in the northeast of Lake Biwa. It is a small town that flourished during the Edo period. In addition to its rich natural landscapes, it also retains the streetscapes and architecture of the time, making people feel as if they have walked into a time tunnel. Due to bad weather, I only walked a short distance along the shore of Lake Biwa. I wonder if the ancients also liked strolling along Lake Biwa at sunset?

#cherryblossom25 Hikone Castle in Shiga Prefecture is one of Japan's five National Treasure castles. In spring, around 1,200 cherry trees burst into bloom, creating a breathtaking contrast between the white castle walls and delicate pink blossoms! This castle town—designated a Japan Heritage site—lets you savor history and spring simultaneously. The blend of wartime stone walls and delicate blossoms feels like stepping into a time capsule 🌸

If you also want to see cherry blossoms, you can avoid the crowds and come here to Kyoto. Most of the people there are local Japanese, and there are not many tourists, which is very happy. However, when you arrive here at noon and have already bought the tickets, you still have to queue for the castle tower! There weren't many cars open when we arrived on 3/29, but now there should be a lot. It's great that there are very few tourists, most of them are Japanese. It's the right place to avoid the crowds! Love it! ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Yanyan has his working hours and will meet everyone here after three o'clock in the afternoon. If you want to take pictures, it is recommended to go to Mengjingcheng Street in the morning and come back around two or three in the afternoon!

When I went to Shiga, I went to Hikone Castle🏯, famous for Hikonyan!!! There are only 12 castles in Japan that still have castle towers, and Hikone Castle is one of them! Also, due to its beauty and good condition from the castle era, Hikone Castle's castle tower is a national treasure✨ 〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜 ✔️Recommended points〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜 ⚫︎You can see the castle tower designated as a national treasure! ⚫︎Depending on the time of day, you can meet Hikonyan! ⚫︎Enjoy matcha green tea and Japanese sweets at the teahouse called Houshoudai🍵 ⚫︎There are also tours that take you around the moat on a houseboat🚢! 〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜 ✔️Points to note 〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜〜 ⚫︎The place and time to meet Hikonyan are fixed, so we recommend checking the official website beforehand! When I went without checking, the time didn't work out... I couldn't meet the Hikonyan I wanted to see😂 It's important to check in advance!!! ⚫︎If you want to see everything properly, including the surrounding facilities, it will take half a day to a full day... I planned to stay for about 2 hours, but it was so big and there was so much to see that I didn't have enough time at all😭 Everyone, please make sure you have enough time to visit Hikone Castle! ---- 📍Access 👣About 15 minutes walk from Hikone Station 🏯Price Hikone Castle: 1,000 yen for adults, 300 yen for elementary and junior high school students Hikone Castle Museum: 700 yen for adults, 350 yen for elementary and junior high school students A combined ticket for Hikone Castle and the museum is 1,500 yen for adults, 550 yen for elementary and junior high school students 🕰️Opening hours 8:30-17:00 *Open all year round. The Kaikoku Kinenkan is closed from 12/25 to 12/31. ---- #0 yen trip #Hikone Castle #Shiga sightseeing #Castle tour

Hikone Castle is located in Shiga Prefecture. It is one of the few remaining castle towers in Japan and has important historical value. Built in the 17th century, the castle is famous for its magnificent architecture and beautiful gardens and is a designated historic site of Japan. The castle tower is well preserved. Walking into it, you can feel the atmosphere of the former samurai and appreciate the exquisite decorations and historical relics inside the castle. From the height of the castle tower, you can overlook the entire city of Hikone and the surrounding natural scenery, with lakes and mountains interweaving into a beautiful picture. Hikone Castle is not only a castle, but also a window to understand Japan's Warring States history. Visitors can leisurely stroll inside and outside the castle, enjoy this ancient cultural heritage, and experience the depth and charm of history. Useful information: Hikone Castle is about a 15-minute walk from Hikone Station and has convenient transportation. The entrance fee is about 600 yen. It is recommended to check the opening hours in advance, respect the regulations within the castle, and enjoy this historical journey. #MarchGoodPlaces2025