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Hikone Castle 彦根城

Checked October 2026 · next check January 2027 · 1 post since 2013

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Visiting Hikone Castle today

  • What it is: One of Japan's original castles. The three-storey keep, completed in 1622, is one of only five keeps designated National Treasures. It was the seat of the Ii clan until 1868.
  • Getting there: About 15 minutes on foot from JR Hikone Station along the main road.
  • Hours: 8:30-17:00, last entry 16:30.
  • Admission: ¥1,000 for the castle and Genkyuen garden, or ¥1,500 including the Hikone Castle Museum.
  • Then and now: In September 2026 Japan picked Hikone Castle as its next UNESCO World Heritage nomination, aiming for inscription in 2028.
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Cherry blossoms usually peak in early to mid April, about a week after Kyoto

Checked against: Hikone Castle (japan-guide.com) · Hikone Castle Picked as Japan's World Heritage Candidate (nippon.com). Check opening times and prices before you go.

Hikone Castle on Shibuya246

Photos and stories from our visits, as they were written at the time.