Hikone Castle – The Ultimate Travel Guide & Must-Know Hidden Tips
Hikone Castle (彦根城) is certainly no stranger among locals when it comes to the list of impressive castles in Japan. And this is because it is one of the few remaining original-construction castles. Because of its authentic architecture, it is a MUST-VISIT castle especially for the architecture lovers and history buffs.
And the BEST part of them all? It is easily accessible from the ancient capital of Kyoto (京都); making this a prime candidate to save in your next Japan travel itinerary! With that in mind, lets explore the impressive Hikone Castle itself.
Table of Contents
Hikone Castle's Fascinating History
A Little Historical Background
Hikone castle was founded by the Ii clan (井伊家), one of the more influential samurai clan from the feudal era. In AD 1600, the crafty warlord Tokugawa Ieyasu (徳川家康) defeated his rival Ishida Mitsunari (石田三成) at the Battle of Sekigahara (関ヶ原合戦).
The Ii clan was one of the clans that fought alongside Ieyasu at this pivotal event and were eventually rewarded for their contribution. They were distinguished easily by their blood-red armour, earning them the nickname, the Red Devils. Their leader Ii Naomasa (井伊直正) also happened to be one of Ieyasu’s top generals and was part of the Four Heavenly Kings; a group comprising of Ieyasu’s top 4 generals.
Their reward was the former castle of Mitsunari, Sawayama Castle (佐和山城) and the surrounding lands. However because Sawayama Castle was in a state of ruin due to a previous siege; Naomasa’s son, Ii Naokatsu (井伊直勝) decided to construct a new castle instead.
Founding of Hikone Castle
Construction began at AD 1604 and because the whole process was hasty; many of its materials were sourced from nearby temples and castles. The main keep in particular was salvaged from Otsu Castle (大津城) which presently is in ruins. Later on in AD 1615, Ieyasu defeated the Toyotomi clan at the Siege of Osaka Castle (大坂冬の陣) and further awarded the Ii clan for their contributions.
As a result, the Ii clan became the undisputed ruler of Hikone and the castle was further strengthened with outer moats. In the 19th century however, the Meiji Revolution occurred and the feudal lords lost their ruling power. In order to prevent any uprising from the feudal lords, the new government planned to dismantle many castles across Japan, with Hikone Castle being included.
Fortunately, when the Emperor of Japan made a tour around Hikone and visited the castle. One of his councillor Okuma Shigenobu (大隈重信) was mesmerised by its beauty and convinced the Emperor to spare it from demolition. Thus, the castle remained intact and eventually, the Ii clan transferred the ownership of the castle to the local city council in 1944.
Hikone Castle Travel Guide
Hikone Castle is located on top of a hill and is the centre of attraction for Hikone city. In fact, it is the main attraction of Hikone and the main reason why people visit Hikone. Hikone Castle is classified as a Hirayama-style castle (平山城/literally flatland mountain); meaning it utilises both the hill and flat land as part of its defense. The main keep itself is located on the top of the hill for defensive purposes.
Because of its flatland mountain layout, there will be a need to hike up the hill to reach the main keep itself. And the castle keep’s stairs are quite steep as well. Therefore, Hikone Castle may not be a suitable place to visit if you:
- Are pregnant
- Have leg and joint issues
- Are on a wheelchair
With that in mind, here are some travel attractions not to be missed!
Hikone Castle's Moats
As we enter the castle’s complex itself, one can easily catch a view of the impressive castle moats. Constructing a castle during the feudal time is no joke as it was a mass labour-extensive project; and labourers had to carry these massive stones and pile them up to construct the defensive walls. Moats had to be dug deeply and filled with water as well.
And the reason for such large-scale defensive setup was to protect the castle; as Hikone was once an important strategic point to transport goods which is evident with the existance of the numerous canals around the area. Today, these canals became photogenic spots and also romantic hang-out spots for castles.
The Castle's Turrets & Bell
When visiting any castle in Japan, an important structure to look out for is its defensive turrets; and Hikone Castle is no exception. The first turret that we will see is the Tenbin Yagura (天秤櫓) which literally translates as the Balance Turret. This type of yagura is unique to Hikone Castle and was believed to have been brought from the nearby Nagahama Castle (長浜城).
See those openings on the second floor? That is the watchtower itself and also the place for the defenders to fire upon approaching enemies. One can enter the turret itself to check out its fascinating interior.
There is also the Taikomon Yagura (太鼓門櫓) aka the Drum Turret and was named so as it houses a large drum that was used for communication purposes across the castle grounds. Also, notice how the castles paths are very windy and maze-like? This was done with intention to slow down enemy advances while presenting opportunities for the defenders to fire their muskets and arrows on them from the top of the turrets.
Another sight not to be missed is the large Time-Keeping Bell (Jihosho/時報鐘) which was recast in AD 1844 to announce the time throughout the city. Even today, the bell tolls five times a day to announce the time at 6am, 9am, 12pm, 3pm & 6pm. In fact, the resonant tones of the bell tolls together with the chirping of the insects are selected as part of the 100 Selected Soundscapes of Japan.
The Main Keep
As we continue on our journey, we will finally arrive at the three-story castle keep. While it is not as large as Osaka Castle (大阪城) or Himeji Castle (姫路城), it features an intricate and elegant design to be admired. Visiting during autumn (mid-Nov to Dec) also rewards you with a stunning view of the castle’s keep together with the vibrant autumn leaves.
My wife and I were then required to remove our shoes when entering the keep, and thank god we did so as the stairs here are extremely steep! Upon entering, we were greeted by a steep staircase which was designed as such for defensive purposes. Climbing these steep stairs is certainly a unique experience and it makes me wonder how does the lord and his subordinates traverse through these arduous stairs on a daily basis.
The castle’s interior is mainly supported by curving pine wood beams joining together and forming complex brackets that support the overall castle’s structure. Wood was commonly used for castle construction as they offer more flexibility and durability for the structure to withstand earthquakes. Such a feat is a testament of the impressive skills of the craftsmen during that time.
Hikone Castle’s interior is also noteworthily rustic and gloomy; representing the somberness and the harsh reality of the feudal era and certainly a far cry from the dazzling castles that Disney often portrays them in their fairy tales. It is also hard to imagine that this castle was close to being bombed by the Americans during World War 2 on 15th August 1945 had Emperor Hirohito (裕仁天皇) decided not to announce Japan’s surrender on that day.
While the castle does offer some impressive views from its top floor; the views are unfortunately covered in protective wires; making it difficult to snap photos of the surrounding scenery. Still, we managed to snag some captivating autumn sceneries from the gaps.
Meet Hikone Castle's Mascot - Hikonyan
Did you know Hikone Castle also has its own mascot? Meet Hikonyan (ひこにゃん), Hikone Castle’s cute mascot; a white cat that walks upright with two legs and wears a distinct red samurai helmet with two horns. This is a clear reference to the historical general Ii Naomasa (井伊直正) who wore a similar helmet.
Hikonyan is an example of a Yuru-chara (ゆるキャラ/pronounced yuru-kyara), a cute mascot character that is created to promote a particular region or tourist site in Japan; in this case Hikone Castle. Their design often incorporates a trait for the specific region or attraction that the character represents; such as Hikonyan’s helmet.
Yuru-chara is extremely popular in Japan as each prefecture has their own and you can see them appearing on advertisements and souvenirs. In fact, a big part of tourism revenue comes from the selling of Yuru-chara merchandises, confectioneries and souvenirs.
Hikonyan also appears around Hikone Castle at specific areas and times. To find out the schedule, check out the Hikonyan fanpage here (Japanese only).
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Hikone Castle - Other Nearby Attractions
The Stunningly Attractive Genkyuen
Genkyuen Garden (玄宮園公園) is located nearby Hikone Castle and was once a private landscape garden for the castle lords. It features a large pond in the center together with a circular trail around it. And its design was inspired by the Imperial Garden of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang in China.
What was once a site that can only be visited by the lord and his esteemed guests is now open for the public. If you are into Japanese garden, this spot is definitely a must to visit. Be sure to subscribe as I will be covering this stunningly scenic garden in the future.
Hikone Castle Museum & The Yumekyobashi Castle Road
Museum lovers should consider paying a visit to the Hikone Castle Museum (彦根城博物館) located at the base of the hill. The building itself is a reconstruction of the Omote Goten (表御殿 or the front hall) and was once the fief office of Hikone. Visitors can catch the vast collection of the Ii family; featuring craft works, documents, arms and armor, musical instruments, tea ceremony utensils and many more. Check out the museum’s official website here for more info.
And after a whole day of exploring the castle grounds, stop by ar the shopping area of Yume-Kyobashi Castle Road (夢京橋 キャッスルロード) for some food and souvenirs. The area here is designed to resemble the townscape former castle town from the Edo Period (AD 1603 – 1868). The buildings here feature plenty of traits of those from that period such as the white walls, blackened roofs and lattice sliding doors.
For those looking for a hearty meal, some options to consider including Mentakumi Chakapon for the local Omi Beef (近江牛) noodles specialty, Hinai chicken Hokkoriya for their yakitori (焼き鳥) and oyako-don (親子丼) & Unagi-ya Gennai for their unagi meals. For those with a sweet tooth, look out for the local’s favourite confectionery shop Itoju which is known for their white bean paste dessert, the Ureki (埋れ木).
Getting To Hikone Castle
By Train
From Kyoto:
Board the Local Maibara (米原) train along the Tokaido-Sanyo line (東海道山陽線) from Kyoto Station (京都駅) and disembark at Hikone Station (彦根駅). There is also the option to opt for the Special Rapid (Tokyu/特急) trains for to Omishiotsu/Maibara/Nagahama for a faster ride but at a higher price. Tickets cost 1,170 Yen one-way for both local and Special Rapid (as of December 2024) and the time taken is 65 minutes (50 minutes for the Special Rapid).
From Osaka:
Board the Special Rapid (Tokyu/特急) trains to for Omishiotsu/Maibara/Nagahama along the Tokaido-Sanyo line (東海道山陽線) from Osaka Station (大阪駅) and disembark at Hikone Station (彦根駅). Ticket costs 1,940 Yen one-way (as of December 2024) and the time taken is around 80 minutes.
If you have the JR Pass, then it will cover the entire train ride along the Tokaido-Sanyo line.
From Hikone Station, simply walk for 15 to 20 minutes to Hikone Castle.
By Car
This was the method my wife and I explored Hikone and we didn’t regret getting a car. This allows us to park near the castle and also explore the further attractions in Hikone such as Ryutanji Temple (龍潭寺). The parking lot is also near the Yumekyobashi Road which is a convenient location to visit the castle and do some souvenir shopping.
Moveover, having a car allows us to explore other cities around Lake Biwa such as Otsu (大津), Omi-Hachiman (近江八幡) & Nagahama (長浜) which are equally as attractive and would have been harder to reach just by relying on the infrequent public transportation. Keen in renting a car for your next Japan road trip? Check out Tocoo for more info here.
Best Times to Visit Hikone Castle
Hikone Castle is open all-year round; however undeniably, the best times to catch the most captivating views of Hikone Castle is during spring and autumn. For spring, the blooming of the cherry blossoms usually occur between late-Mar to mid-Apr. On the other hand, the peak for the autumn leaves occurs between mid-Nov to early-Dec.
A popular viewing spot for both cherry blossoms and autumn leaves is the main keep area itself. The open area in front of the main keep presents a wonderful opportunity to snap the elegant castle keep together with the cherry blossoms/autumn leaves as a decoration. The castle moat area is also another cherry blossom viewing spot to look out for if you want to catch the beautiful reflection of the flowers on the water.
It is also noteworthy to mention that Hikone Castle also hosts night illumination events during spring and autumn. As of 2024, both the spring and autumn illumination event occurred between late-March to mid-April (28th Mar – 16th Apr in 2024) & mid-Nov to end-Nov (16th Nov – 30th Nov in 2024) respectively.
I wish I have more precise English resources and exact dates to share; however as of now there is none. It is highly advisable to check the Hikone Travel site in Japanese for the exact date and Google Translate it before your visit.
Research Tip: You can also look up for the terms 彦根城桜ライトアップ (Hikone Castle Cherry Blossom Light up) & 彦根城秋ライトアップ (Hikone Castle Autumn Leaves Light up) respectively in Google as well for your research.
Hikone Castle Opening Hours & Entrance Fees
Hikone Castle opens from 8.30 am – 5.00 pm daily with the last entrance time allowed is 4.30 pm. However, the castle is closed on several days during the year (advisable to check here for more info first before visiting).
Hikone Castle’s entrance ticket is 1,500 Yen (550 Yen for junior high and primary school students) which is certainly higher than many other castles around Japan. However it comes with a generous benefit as the ticket includes the entrance to the Hikone Castle Museum & the Genkyuen Garden.
Where to Stay Nearby
- Comfort Hotel Hikone: The standard Japanese business hotel that is located close to the train station. Budget-friendly option with small and comfortable rooms.
- Honmachi Juku: A historic townhouse turned accommodation that is known for their traditional tatami bedrooms with comfortable futons (布団). Great option if you want to experience living in a feudal townhouse.
- Biwafront Hikone: A beautiful resort located next to the breathtaking Lake Biwa for those willing to splurge. They offer free parking as well as spacious rooms with onsen baths facing the lake itself.
Stay Connected with Portable Wifi
While there are several spots in Japan that do offer Wifi, it can be difficult to access the internet in many areas; especially in a city like Hikone that is located in the countryside. For our road trip in Japan, my wife and I used Ninja Wifi and we had an easy time travelling to even the smallest towns and secluded mountains while staying connected with our families.
Ninja Wifi offers eSIM and portable Wifi services that provided us with a stable internet connection during our road trip in Japan. In particular, the portable Wifi allows several devices to connect simultaneously and all we need to do was to scan the QR code and we easily got connected in just a minute. Book your Wifi services here for your next Japan trip.
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