Many of Japan's castles were demolished during modernization or destroyed by air raids. Therefore, most of the castles that exist today are imitations made of reinforced concrete. However, Hikone Castle's castle tower (the symbolic structure built on top of the castle) is still made of wood, just as it was back then. You can go inside the castle tower and get a panoramic view of Hikone City and Lake Biwa from the top floor. This castle is a cultural property designated as a national treasure of Japan.

Astonishing little castle in Hikone. I booked the triple ticket castle museum and garden and it was a good deal. The museum was surprisingly interesting with the living quarters of the lord and the garden was just gorgeous

This was one of my favorite spots in Lake Biwa, Shiga prefecture. The castle area is impressive. Not as large as Himeji or Osaka, but therefore a bit more manageable on foot. The views are immaculate in all directions. The site was chosen strategically where the mountain range in the east just reaches the edges of Lake Biwa coming up in the west forming a natural gateway. The main keep is nowhere near as large as Himeji, but it manages to be just as fascinating, as it is all original, in particular, the bending curves of the massive trunks of wood that still support the structure of the main keep. Be aware that you will need to walk up plenty of stairs, and inside the main keep the stairs are very steep. Adjacent to the main keep on the west side reaching a smaller keep is a large park-like area that is gorgeous red in autumn. The beautiful gardens, large garden with tea houses belonged to the Feudal Daimyo as part of his residential domain, included in the ticket.

As lovely as can be. Like other originals, the steps couldn't be steeper. Tip: the plastic bag for shoes is not optional. Grab one! Great views of Biwa and the Hira Mountains with an exceptional historic treasure. A must-do!

This is a pretty nice, famous castle that sits in the picturesque town of Hikone. There is fairly heap parking opposite the castle although it does fill up quickly. The castle grounds are fairly small but it is still nice to explore them and wander around the buildings and trees. The best part of this area is the garden which is included in the best ticket. I highly recommend the garden for a good view of the castle.

Step walk in side the castle the stairs are very step going up. Great views and the garden is a pleasant walk if the claim is to much.

(Trip was made back then on 26 Nov 2019, 2 years before the Covid-19 Pandemic hit) Upon arriving at Hikone exactly 2 years ago, we made our way to the beautifully preserved Hikone castle. Having withstand the test of time, it is one of the 12 “original castles” (i.e. built during the Edo era and survived centuries without damage, undergone destruction and reconstruction) still standing today and is 1 of only 5 castles which have been designated by the Japanese government as a national treasure. Despite its small stature, it is surrounded with trees if all seasons, allowing visitors to admire its beautiful architecture while enjoy the changing views all year around. However, having different trees for all seasons means that the foliage will not be as dense each season and the views will not be a lush. Nevertheless, there’s still plenty of good spots for taking picturesque photos.

This is one of the 12 original castles remaining in Japan, and it is certainly worth a visit. While not as large or famous as Himeji Castle, the moat, buildings, stonework, blooming cherry trees (at the end of April) and adjacent garden are quite impressive.

Pleasant sunny day. Lovely maple leaves. It is a good place to refresh yourself with your loved ones. It surely gives you the peace of mind with fresh breeze and scenic views.

We came here by Train from Kyoto and it took about 45 min. From Hikone Station it is a 30 min walk to the Castle. The entrance fee was 1200 Yen for the museum, castle inside and the beautiful garden combined. The museum had some interesting things like ancient swords, armours and paintings. You can walk through the complete inside of the castle and the view from up there is very stunning (with clear weather). My personal highlight was the big garden with a huge pond and lots of green. You can even see the castle throning above it. I can not imagine that there is any better castle in Japan to visit. The complete route took about 2 hours. The town is beautiful too, it is quiet and not very touristy. They have a beach on lake Biwa too. Great experience all in all.

Even nice on a rainy day. Be prepared to walk up zig zag stone steps (designed to slow the enemies) and walk up and down steep stairs in the castle. There are a variety of indoor parts of the castle to visit. Great views of Lake Biwa in the distance.

Oldest original castle in Japan. Good vibes; the wooden floors were beautiful and felt great under foot (shoes off). Friendly staff. This castle has a beautiful mote around it!

Hikone Castle is on the smaller than the 4 other national treasures but it has its own charm. There isn’t much on the inside to see but if you’ve been to other castles in Japan, climbing up this 3-tiered castle is the most challenging because of the incline of the stairs. The surrounding area of the castle is expansive and you can go in some of the turrets on the outer wall surrounding the castle. Be prepared for a little climb up the castle keep. If you’re visiting before 9:00 am, try to make your way to the time keeping bell that they ring every 3 hours between 9:00 am to 6:00 pm to tell the time. If you visit during a holiday, try to be at the ticket counter before it opens to avoid the rush

We visited January 2021. It was a little out of the way and the only tourist site in the area (we drove from Tokyo). Was also under some construction when we visited. Still a nice place to see if you are in the area.

Nice place to relax after al long weekdays of working. This place is not so big but there are plenty chair available. The parking slot for car is wide. Mascot is looking like bear in the first time i see it, but it was a cat 🤣 sometimes in the evening at about 2 pm there are events that show for children that includes mascot. Access from the main station is so near just about 500m. I recommend to eat first before come to hikone castle because there is only snack here.

The complex has castle, plum orchard, garden, museum, (free) park including kids playground. All these with beautiful view of lake biwa attached to them. We visited on 19 March and sakura flowers had bloomed in one of the trees facing the castle. There was a long queue before entering the castle. Probably because it’s weekend.

I’m partial to castles with interiors that reflect the original design and Hikone does not disappoint. Beautiful both outside and in, prepare for the unique considerations of being in a castle that reflects the original design: super steep stairs (ladders), breezy interiors, cold floors in the winter, and no shoes allowed! Great views of the lake and snow-capped peaks if you go during the right season.

One of the most coolest castles in the world. From the double mout systems to the interior walls to the ramparts to the baileys to the arrow and gun ports. Hikone Castle is one of the coolest castles in Japan in terms of Feudal Japan Shogunate engineering. Seems like a pain to attack as ninja or charging as samurai.

Everything about this place is magical. Honestly, aside from Himeji Castle, this is one of the most beautiful castles I've been to. For 800 JPY, you get a combination ticket for both the castle and the garden. You can spend almost the whole day here! It is very chill too and you get very many perspectives of Lake Biwa.

The view from the top of the castle was nice. Touched by the story. Love its cute mascot and bought a few different versions of it.

My favorite castle in Japan. The full original donjon (tower) still exists, with all of the cool wood beams obviously made from bent trees.

Definitely a must-visit because Hikone Castle is one of only twelve castles in Japan with its original tenshu (main keep) and one of only five castles listed as a National Treasure. You can also have a view of Lake Biwa as well! I also love Hikonyan, the mascot cat of Hikone!!

I visited the castle as part of a science forum, and this was my first time at a castle. The Sakura inside the castle grounds are especially beautiful. The castle is also an ancient architectural masterpiece. The way the walls are made up of the rocks stacked up is a marvel. The interior and roofs of the castle are also interesting to observe.

Such a beautiful castle. The gardens are pristine. Bring your walking shoes! Saw some adorable geese too!

One of historical place in Shiga Perfecture, beatiful and the castle it self has a good features both exterior and interior.

It might be a smaller castle than something like Osaka, but the fact that it hasn’t been renovated in the interior to resemble a modern museum makes this place far more authentic. If you want the real thing, away from the crowds, Hikone Castle is a must see. You will have to climb quite a bit though. The climb uphill to the walls, and then to the castle itself, is quite steep and strenuous. The castle interior requires you to climb 3 stories of ladders. You don’t need to be an Olympian, but you want to be in decent shape. 800 per person, cash only for tickets. That includes the garden. There’s an option to go into the Museum but I skipped it so I have no review. I loved this place, and went on a Wednesday. There were effectively no crowds. Maybe 10 or so people wandering. Given how beautiful the location is, I’m going to be telling folks to go to Hikone from now on.

Great gardens. Wonderful exhibits at the nearby museum! They even have walking sticks because the castle contains a lot of stairs

Cute castle. One of the smaller ones but with a nice view and beautiful gardens. Inside the castle isn't a lot to see and the stairs are almost vertical but it looks very authentic.

This is a lovely castle with a beautiful garden and an informational museum. It has not been reconstructed, so it gives an accurate impression of how castles looked when they were originally used. Seeing everything requires a lot of walking up and down stairs.

Beautiful castle and surrounding grounds. The castle ticket includes the garden ticket so make sure you buy that one first. Great spot in autumn! One word of caution: the castle has these super steep wooden staircases inside, so not for everyone! It’s still worth buying the ticket though to see the first floor and walk around the castle grounds. It’s quite physically demanding to walk on the pebble stones outside that can be slippy, so this place is best for those who can walk well and have a good balance.

Hikone Castle stands as a majestic testament to Japan's feudal history. The well-preserved architecture and stunning panoramic views from the castle grounds transport you to another era. Exploring the castle's interior provides a fascinating glimpse into the samurai lifestyle. The surrounding gardens are beautifully landscaped, offering a serene contrast to the castle's imposing presence. Hikone Castle is a captivating destination, rich in history and architectural splendor. Truly a must-visit for history enthusiasts! 🏰🍃 #HikoneCastle #HistoricalGem

Beautiful place, perched on a hill overlooking the town. Entry to the castle and gardens is separate to the museum, which can be a little on the pricey side. Opportunities to go inside the castle keep (天守), but there’s not much to see inside except the view through the chicken wire of Lake Biwa. Lots of cherry trees throughout the site, which promise to be stunning in spring (I visited in summer) and plenty of scenic vistas over Lake Biwa and the town. The mascot for the castle, Hikonya, is very cute and very popular among adults as well as kids. Several ‘shows’ are put on throughout the day, allowing chances to snap a pick of the adorable mascot.