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. Hikone Castle’s Fascinating History A Little Historical Background Hikone castle was founded by the Ii clan (井伊家),…