In Hikone, several aspects of the town’s history can be connected: Hikone Castle represents architectural continuity, the Hikone Castle Museum showcases furnishings passed down by the Ii family, and a hiking trail leads to the summit near the ruins of Sawayama Castle. Craft experiences offer a different focus. If you’re looking for accommodation in Hikone, you can plan your stay around whether you want to focus on the castle, an exhibition, the landscape, or traditional crafts.
Hikone Castle and the walk from the station
Hikone Castle has remained almost unchanged since it was originally built. This continuity makes it a natural focal point for a stay devoted to the town’s history. Hikone Castle is a 15-minute walk from Hikone Station. The 15-minute walk gives you a practical planning reference for a castle visit and connects your arrival by train with this destination.
Original objects at the Hikone Castle Museum
The permanent exhibition at the Hikone Castle Museum focuses primarily on furnishings passed down by the Ii family, a daimyō family, and organizes them into seven themed sections. The exhibits consist mainly of original objects, and the selection is changed every one to two months. This gives you a thematically organized view of the collection, while the items on display change regularly. If you’re particularly interested in a specific object, check whether it is currently on display before your visit. The museum offers a different way to explore history than viewing the castle itself: the focus is on objects passed down through the generations and their thematic context.
Sawayama: Hiking trail, views, and historical accounts
A hiking trail near the ruins of Sawayama Castle leads to the summit. From there, you can enjoy views of Hikone Castle and Lake Biwa. The hike to the summit and the two named views give this visit a different focus from the museum exhibition. The history of the former castle is also part of the site: at the Former Site of Sawayama Castle, it is said that the castle was originally built by Sasaki, a leader of Ōmi Province. After it passed to Lord Ishida Mitsunari, it is said to have received an even more imposing five-story castle tower. This account of the castle’s construction remains a reported tradition; the hiking trail and views are other concrete aspects of a visit. You can decide whether you’re most interested in the trail, the views, or the historical account at Sawayama.
Craft tours and walks
A tour of Hikone’s Buddhist altar workshops visits craft workshops along Nanamagari Street. Isshiro-gama represents Kōtō-yaki: the workshop draws on the former official kiln of the Hikone domain and revives this tradition. Something Four offers a different experience, with walks through Hikone’s historic castle town in hakama attire. These activities offer different focuses: a tour of workshops, a particular ceramic tradition, or a walk in traditional clothing. This can help you choose if you’d rather focus on craft workshops, Kōtō-yaki, or the historic castle town. The availability of tours and activities may change; check before making plans.
Bicycle rental at Hikone Station
Hikone Chari is a bicycle rental shop one minute’s walk from Hikone Station. It is on the first floor of Al Plaza Hikone, beside the main walkway. The stated distance from the station gives you a practical reference point when looking for the rental shop. Since shop details can change, check the information before your visit. For comparing options when planning your day, the two stated walking times refer to different destinations: 15 minutes from the station to Hikone Castle and one minute to the bicycle rental shop.
Discover more destinations: Ritto, Takashima, Konan, Kusatsu, KĹŤka, Nagahama, Moriyama, HigashiĹŤmi
For the regional travel overview: Shiga Prefecture.
