Hikone Travel Tips

Hikone (彦根), set along the peaceful shores of Lake Biwa, invites visitors into a world where feudal history and lakeside scenery blend effortlessly. At its heart stands Hikone Castle, one of only a handful of original castles left in Japan and designated a National Treasure. Its wooden keep, stone walls, and sweeping views from the top evoke the elegance and strategy of Japan’s samurai era. Just below the castle, the scenic Genkyuen Garden features a strolling path around a reflective pond, tea pavilions, and landscaped views designed to mirror the beauty of the adjacent castle tower.

The town surrounding the castle retains a warm and welcoming atmosphere, with preserved merchant streets, boutique shops, and inviting cafés just steps away. The charming Yume Kyobashi Castle Road is lined with white-walled buildings that evoke the Edo Period, offering spaces to enjoy local sweets, ceramics, and traditional dining. Hikone’s compact size makes it easy to explore on foot, and its convenient location along the Tokaido route means it pairs naturally with travel between Kyoto, Osaka, and Tokyo, offering a calm and culturally rich stop along the journey.