Overview
Hikone pairs an original castle with samurai-era streets, traditional gardens, and access to Lake Biwa. Its compact center and slower pace suit a one- or two-night historic stop.
Architecture · History · Culture · Food · Budget Travel
Did you know?
- Ekirin-kun rents bikes for ¥500 a day from the station's west exit.
- A samurai-helmeted cat mascot appears on plush toys and souvenirs throughout town.
- The 1604 castle survived World War II and remains a National Treasure.
Why go?
Hikone is a compact historic city centered on an authentic 1604 castle that survived WWII and remains a National Treasure—one of only twelve original castles in Japan. The city offers a slower, more affordable alternative to nearby Kyoto, with samurai-era streets, lakeside access to Japan's largest freshwater Lake Biwa, and the charming Hiko-nyan mascot beloved nationwide. It's ideal for a one- or two-night stop combining castle exploration, traditional gardens, and regional cuisine.
Getting in
Hikone lies on the JR Biwako-sen (Lake Biwa line) between Kyoto and Nagoya. Regular trains from Kyoto take about 50 minutes (¥920); from Nagoya, approximately 70 minutes. The shinkansen stops at nearby Maibara, with a 15-minute local train connection to Hikone. Most visitors arrive by train, as Hikone has no commercial airport.
Getting around
The compact city center is walkable between the station and castle (about 15 minutes). Two bike rental options cater to visitors: Ekirin-kun (¥500/day) on the west exit of Hikone Station, and Meguringo (¥600/day for road bikes, ¥800/day for electric-assisted bikes) with locations near the station and 1.3 km southwest. Local buses serve less accessible sights but are infrequent.
When to go
Spring (March-May) offers cherry blossoms around the castle moat, while autumn (October-November) brings fall foliage to Genkyū-en Garden. The article photo shows Hikone Castle in winter, suggesting quieter visits with possible snow on the castle towers. Summer can be hot and humid. Hikone is small enough that weather-sensitive travelers should check seasonal conditions before visiting.
Where to stay
Accommodation clusters near Hikone Station with options for all budgets. Business Hotel Serikawa offers western and Japanese-style rooms from ¥3990 (single), while Hotel Sunroute Hikone starts at ¥6930. For a traditional experience, Tobaya Ryokan provides cozy family-run lodging from ¥4950 (sleep-only). Hotel Hikone Castle Resort & Spa offers premium rooms from ¥6500 with castle views.
Food and drink
The road from Hikone Station to the castle hosts numerous restaurants and souvenir shops, as does Yume-Kyobashi Castle Road. Sennari-tei specializes in Omi beef (近江牛), a celebrated regional delicacy, while Unagiya Gennai serves unagi (eel) dishes. For socializing, Sugimotos near Hikone Castle Hotel becomes a Wednesday-night bar for JCMU students and foreign visitors around 21:00. Yab's Sports Bar in southern Hikone is another expat-friendly spot.
Things to do
Hikone Castle (¥800 admission including Genkyū-en) is the premier attraction—an original 1604 structure with preserved turrets and a nationally important soundscape. Adjacent Genkyū-en Garden features a Tang Dynasty-style villa and offers matcha and Japanese sweets for ¥500. Hikone Castle Museum (¥500, daily 09:00-17:00) displays samurai artifacts at 1-1 Konki-cho. Ryōtan-ji Zen temple (¥400, daily 09:00-16:30) showcases multiple meditation gardens. Sawayama Castle ruins offer historic exploration for those with more time.
Buy
The Yume-Kyobashi Castle Road features souvenir and craft shops in traditional wooden buildings. VivaCity mall at Minami-Hikone station (next stop south) houses multiple shops, restaurants, karaoke, and a movie theater, with live weekend performances in the central atrium. Hiko-nyan merchandise—plush toys, keychains, and paraphernalia featuring the samurai-helmeted cat mascot—sells throughout town and has gained national fame beyond Hikone itself.
Go next
Hikone sits on the JR Biwako-sen line with easy connections: Omihachiman (15 min west), Maibara (15 min east) where the shinkansen stops, and Nagahama (30 min north) with its own historic castle. Lake Biwa's western shore leads to Otsu and onward to Kyoto (50 min). Inland options include Sekigahara battlefield memorial and Ogaki. The Meishin Expressway connects Hikone westward to Kyoto and eastward toward Nagoya via Maibara.
Connectivity
Japan offers excellent mobile connectivity through providers like NTT Docomo, au, and SoftBank with 4G/5G coverage throughout Hikone. Convenience stores (7-Eleven, FamilyMart, Lawson) provide ATMs compatible with international cards and free WiFi. Japan Wireless and other providers offer prepaid SIM cards and pocket WiFi rentals at Kansai International Airport and major train stations for tourists.
Budget
Budget travelers can manage on ¥5,000-7,000/day in Hikone: dorm-style beds are rare but budget hotels start at ¥3,990, street food and convenience store meals run ¥300-600, bike rental costs ¥500-800/day, and castle complex admission is ¥800. Mid-range travelers spending ¥10,000-15,000/day can enjoy sit-down restaurants, private ryokan rooms, and additional museum admissions.
Guide text adapted from Wikivoyage contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to start
Sleep
Business Hotel Serikawa
Western and Japanese-style rooms available.
Price when recorded: One person room ¥3990, two-person room ¥4830
Sleep
Hotel Hikone Castle Resort & Spa
Price when recorded: Rooms start from ¥6500 (single)
Sleep
Hotel Sunroute Hikone
Price when recorded: Prices start at ¥6930 for single rooms
Sleep
Tobaya Ryokan
A very cosy family-run ryokan.
Price when recorded: sleep only \4950
Eat
Sennari-tei
Local Omi beef specialist.
Eat
Unagiya Gennai
An unagi (eel) restaurant.
See
Chiyo Shrine
See
Genkyū-en Garden
Hikone's number two attraction is the garden at the foot of the castle. The park contains a sprawling villa built in the Chinese Tang Dynasty style in 1677 for Naooki Ii, the fourth lord of Hikone. The best thing to do here is to pause at the teahouse for a cup of matcha (ceremonial green tea), a Japanese sweet and some quiet contemplation for ¥500.
Before you go
Accommodation
Options range from budget business hotels (¥3,990+) near the station to traditional ryokan (¥4,950+) and upscale castle-view hotels (¥6,500+).
Connectivity
Major carriers (Docomo, au, SoftBank) provide 4G coverage. Convenience store WiFi and prepaid SIM/pocket WiFi rentals serve tourist connectivity needs.
Food
Hikone offers regional Omi beef (近江牛) at Sennari-tei and unagi at Unagiya Gennai. Station-to-castle road and Castle Road have multiple dining options.
Money
Japan uses yen (JPY). ATMs at convenience stores accept international cards. Cash remains essential for smaller establishments and temples.
Transport
Hikone Station is on the JR Biwako-sen line connecting Kyoto and Nagoya. Rent bikes (¥500-800/day) for easy exploration of the compact city center.
