Hikone City

Hikone City

Hikone City is located in Shiga Prefecture in the Kansai region of Japan. It is the largest city and a major tourist destination on the eastern shore of Lake Biwa. The city developed around Hikone Castle, which was first constructed in 1603 and has since become a renowned sightseeing spot.

Hikone Castle is a Japanese national treasure and one of only four remaining wooden castles in Japan. It served as the residence of the Ii clan, rulers of the Hikone Domain. In addition to the national treasure main keep, other important cultural properties such as the Tenbin Watchtower, the Drum Tower, and the Western Bailey Three-story Turret are also on display. Depending on the season, visitors to Hikone Castle can enjoy the distinct beauty of cherry blossoms, fresh greenery, autumn foliage, and snowscapes. Enkoen Garden was built in imitation of the detached palace of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty in China, and with the national treasure main keep as its backdrop, offers stunning seasonal scenery—especially the elegant autumn leaves. Adjacent to Enkoen is Kōraku-en, also designated as a place of scenic beauty. The Smith Memorial Hall, with its temple-like exterior and details in the traditional Christian style of a Japanese chapel, is recognized as one of Hikone’s modern cultural heritage sites.

The Lantern Gallery is a specialty museum located along the Dream Bridge Castle Road. The first floor not only sells traditional Hikone crafts—Japanese candles—but also features a candle-making experience workshop. The second floor serves as an open-air castle town museum, displaying various local toys.

Hikone

Must-visit reason: The largest city on the eastern shore of Lake Biwa

Continent where the attraction is located: Asia【Asia】

Country/region where the attraction is located: Japan[Japan]

Province/state where the attraction is located: Shiga Prefecture [Shiga Prefecture]

City where the attraction is located: Hikone City [Hikone]