Itinerary Highlights

• This tour covers Hikone Castle and its surrounding castle town. Stopping at points along the way, we cover about 7 to 8 km by bicycle. Cycling allows for a deeper exploration of the Japanese castle and its surrounding historic town.
• Hikone is praised as a “perfect example of Japanese castle towns,” due to the preservation level of its original Edo-period existence, in which the politics, economy, and culture of the era were flourishing. First, we ride through the town’s historic district, while finding traces of its Edo roots, and exploring its formidable defenses that protected the castle from enemy attacks. We also see how all of the samurai, merchants, and tradesmen coexisted in the small residential area surrounding the castle back in feudal Edo times.
• After our ride through the town area, we then head to the castle. Built 400 years ago, this castle is one of just 12 Japanese castles to have maintained its original keep, and one of the five castles designated as National Treasures, along with Himeji Castle.
• This three-story castle keep is relatively small, but known for its elegant appearance and praised as a pinnacle example of the era’s castle construction technology including its surrounding fortress.

Hikone Castle & Its Fascinating History

The Edo period spans from the early 17th to late 19th century in Japanese history, when Japan was under the rule of the Tokugawa shogunate, overseeing the country’s 300 regional daimyo.

This period followed the Warring States period, named for the continuous samurai battles between warring clans vying for land and power across the country. The Edo period brought the first unification of all Japan under one shogunate, with a sophisticated political system as well as rich, flourishing culture which became the main basis of traditional Japanese culture that we recognize today.

Hikone Castle is a castle symbolizing this era. Until Japan’s unification was truly stable, this fortress served a crucial role as a bulwark at the western edge of the Tokugawa domain, ensuring protection from the Toyotomi clan in nearby Osaka.

Ii Naomasa, the first Ii Clan daimyo of Tokugawa, who was given the Hikone Domain.

A total of 25,000 castles are believed to have existed nationwide. But the vast majority of them have been lost over time to fires and demolitions. Today, only 12 castles still remain with their original tenshu (castle keep). Hikone Castle is among them, and one of five National Treasure castles together with Himeji Castle, Matsumoto Castle, Inuyama Castle and Matsue Castle.

Large dry defensive moat with wooden bridge.

Surviving through all the societal changes of modernization, the castle’s original appearances are largely intact, including the main keep, 2 of 3 inner moats, walls, guard houses, gates and horse stable. While the main three-story keep is rather small, its unique architecture represents a combination of different styles.

Another highlight is the fact that Hikone Castle is one of the rare Japanese castles that has basically preserved its entire historic townscape, including the castle and surrounding area. Modern day Hikone City developed around the old castle town, which was well preserved. From daimyo lord, to upper and lower ranked samurais, townspeople, and craftsmen, all social classes lived together in this compact, organized district, representing the typical townscape, culture, and sociopolitical structure of an Edo period castle town. This is the primary reason that is was named as a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage registration.

Historical map of the entire Hikone townscape.

You’ll be missing out if you only visit the castle itself. To get the full picture of the castle town, we’ll cover the various spots that provide insight to the historical society, life, geopolitics, and defense of this community.

Featured Points

1. Nanamagari (seven curves) Traditional Craft District

Discover the industries of skilled handcraft that emerged in this area as the craftsmen of arms transition into the peaceful Edo era.

2. Ashigaru (foot soldiers) Residential District

A historical area for the lowest ranked ashigaru samurai class. Explore this unique townscape with many interesting narrow streets.

3. Uoyamachi (fish store) Merchant & Townsfolk District

An area where some traditional townhouses have been preserved. Get a glimpse into the life of historical commoners, and their place in the feudal hierarchy.

4. Nakabori (middle moat) - Upper Samurai District

Entrance past this point was strictly controlled as the area was reserved for government officials. Explore remains of some mid to large scale residences of higher ranking samurai.

5. Uchibori (inner moat) – Home of the Daimyo

Beyond the uchibori (inner moat), we find the castle itself, the daimyo residence, and the central hall of political governance. Enjoy exploring the main castle keep, stone walls, guard houses and gates!

Schedule

1. Meet at JR Hikone Station
2. Rent bicycles
3. Begin touring the town
4. Stop for lunch
5. Visit Hikone Castle and Genkyuen Garden
6. Return bicycles
7. End of the tour

Notes

• Electric bicycle also available by request for an additional fee of ¥500.
• Stop for lunch (not included in tour price, please pay separately)
• Stairs to upper floors within castle keep are quite steep/difficult.
• In case of heavy rain, tour will be changed to walking tour. Walking tour distance is around 6 km.
• Please wear comfortable, appropriate clothes and shoes. There will also be a short hike.
• If planning to visit the Castle Museum, the tour will conclude at the museum. In this case, please return bicycles by yourself before 5 pm.

What is included:

• bicycle rental
• admission to the castle and garden
• professional guide

What is not included:

• transportation fees to the meeting point (JR Hikone Sta.)
• lunch cost

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