Hoko-en is well known for the castle (Nagahama Jyo), which was the first mighty luxurious residence built by Hideyoshi, one of the best-known 3 heroes in the Provincial War Period in Japanese history. (The castle was built in 1576.) And the Park facing the largest lake of Biwa is also famous for one of the best 100 cherry spots selected in Japan. It was a bit brisk morning today, but many sight-seers were already coming there to enjoy the spring’s glory by the time I arrived,… a little bit late though from the other regions in the Prefecture.
