Hikone Castle
Hikone Castle, a national treasure was completed in 1607, just after that decisive battle at SEKIGAHARA (関ケ原合戦), when many building materials were transported from Otsu castle where the early skirmish was fought. It is said that the castle has not only a perfect beauty of the external appearance but also deep ingenuity on the military matters.
There are 4 valuable Yaguras, all of which are important cultural properties. (Yagura refers to a turret, built in the castle, as a guard tower or a watchtower.) A stable in a castle is very rare, and has remained only in this castle. Twenty-one horses used to be kept here for the domain’s head and chief retainers under that neat shake roof.
The gorgeous cherry blossoms at Hikone Castle is chosen as one of the top 100 sites in Japan. Guests can meet the cutest mascot Hikonyan at the Castle.
Genkyu-en (玄宮園）is an attached circuit style garden to the castle, built in 1677. The path is skillfully laid for leading guests to 4 teahouses, which reminds us that the garden used to be a social arena those days for Daimyos.
Guests can visit and take a walk along “Yumekyobashi Castle Road”, after enjoying Hikone castle. It is said dividing and distributing the town started from this area when the castle began to be built. The street is unified like merchant houses in Edo Period with white board and black grating, so that guests can feel as if they were walking in the castle town in those days. There are many Japanese-style and western restaurants and confection stores, and locally produced goods as well.
Hikonyan, the CUTEST Mascot of Hikone Castle
Nagahama Castle
Old Nagahama area used to be under the Azai’s up to 1573, when Nobunaga beat Nagamasa at the War of Ane River. Hideyoshi, who contributed a lot during the war too, was given the KOHOKU area, and built his own castle here in 1576. The castle was built just in front of Lake Biwa, so a part of the stone-walls were founded from the shore so boats were able to go in and out from the water gate in the castle.
For the hero of the Provincial war era, it was the first castle built by his own power. Though Hideyoshi had been almost away from home, going into battles even to the Korean Peninsula, he was said to have been able to acquire management skills for people from his first domain. (Hideyoshi became Kanpaku, a chief advisor to the Emperor in 1585, building Osaka-jyo castle.)
After Hideyoshi, several warlords had lived in the castle, but it was abolished at last in 1615.
Nagahama Castle of today was reconstructed at Ho-koen Park (豊公園) in 1983, and has been managed as “Nagahama Castle Hisorical Museum” and also become the symbol of the main city of KOHOKU.
The elegant cherry blossoms in the Park is chosen as one of the top 100 sites in Japan, too.
After Nagahama castle, guests can enjoy walking excursion in central Nagahama, such as Kurokabe and Hikiyama Museum.
At Ho-koen Park
Overview
- Shiga
- 18,000 JPY
- 7Hours
- 1 ~ 5people
Itinerary
Meeting Point
JR Hikone Station- Hikone Castle
- "Yumekyobashi Castle Road"
- JR Nagahama Station
- Ho-koen Park
- Nagahama Castle (& "Nagahama Castle Hisorical Museum")
- Old Nagahama Railroad Station
- Keiun-kan Guest House
- Kurokabe
- Hikiyama Museum
Ending Point
JR Nagahama Station
What to Expect
【Hikone Castle】
1. Sophisticated and Artistic Appearance and Military Ingenuity of the Castle Designated as a National Treasure
2. Four Valuable Yaguras, All of Which are Important Cultural Properties
3. To Meet with the Cutest Mascot, Hikonyan
4. To Walk along “Yumekyobashi Castle Road” and Enjoy Shopping
【Nagahama Castle】
1. To Walk around Ho-koen Park, Remembering the Days when the Basis of the Castle Town was Founded
2. To Learn More about Nagahama, Visiting to “Nagahama Castle Hisorical Museum”
3. To Actually See and Experience the Deep Culture that the Town People have Created so far
Inclusions & Exclusions
[Inclusions]
Guide Fee
[Exclusions]
1) Admission / Entrance Fee (For Tourists): Approximately 2,000 (Two Thousand) JPY Each at a Maximum for One Day.
2) Transportation (For Tourists): Less than 800 (Eight Hundred) JPY Each at a Maximum for One Day.
3) Lunch and/or Dinner (For Tourists): Less than 1,500 (One Thousand and Five Hundred) JPY Each at a Maximum.
4) Any Unexpected Cost (For Tourists): Less than 1,000 (One Thousand) JPY Each at a Maximum.
Important Information
1) The tour consists of 7 hours walking excursion, basically starting from 9:30 AM to 16:30 (4:30 PM), including 1 hour lunch.
2) Meeting & “Good-bye” Place:
9:30 AM at JR Hikone Station (Tour start)
4:30 PM at JR Nagahama Station (Tour end)
3) Lunch: A Set Menu of Local Foods from 12:00 AM to 1:00 PM
4) Peak Season: The destination spots may slightly change due to seasonal situation, after getting an approval from the guests
5) Longer or shorter Excursion time and other specific regions are available, on your request.
Remark
[Cancellation Policy]
1) Free cancellation – 10 days prior to meeting time
2) 50% Refund – 9 to 3 days prior to meeting time
3) No Refund – Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Book Now!
Reviews
(1) July, 07 (Wed.)
That would be perfectly fine to send the pictures when you are ready. We will definitely let you know. That was a very nice article on your website. Leia especially thanks you for your kind compliments. We will take note of your recommendations for Nara and Osaka. We are very fortunate and blessed to have met you. Ramon, Leia and Victor
(2) July, 12 (Fri.)
Good morning from North Carolina, Yoshi-San,
We are safely home and are reminiscing our wonderful trip to Japan. Thank you for making our visit to Kyoto so memorable. We learned so much from you.
I finally downloaded all your photos of us. Thank you for these memories. I appreciate that you labeled the photos with the places they were taken.
With much gratitude,
Ramon, Leia and Victor
Ramon san, Leia san and Victor san. Good evening. It was a HEAT day today in Kyoto, too! Incredible! You selected Sapporo ramen, didn't you? That's very good! When you visit Nara and Osaka tomorrow, do not miss to see Ashura, a guardian god of Hachi Bushu (or Eight Legions, Protectors of Buddhist Teachings) in Buddhism, at the national treasure house of Kofuku-ji temple. And you must be amazed to see the HUGE power of Hideyoshi, when you visit Osaka-jo castle! Please enjoy! Yoshi
Hi, Yoshi! I just got home and did receive the photos. Thank you again and have a good rest of your week.
John
John san, Juan san, Ana san and Sophia san, good day!I strongly hope that all of your days in Japan this time will be unforgettably good memories.I was so glad to be able to meet all of you. I'll never forget the nicest family.From YoshiJuly 02 (Tue.), 2024; 11: 44 AM
Hi, Yoshi
We got back fine.
All of us had a great time. That's a very authentic trip. :)
Thanks,
Good day. I was so lucky and glad to know that you kindly selected the bike tour. (I wonder if you've already left Japan for your home country?) As I mentioned before, this tour was the first time for me. So, I have been worried that you might think all the spots in the KOHOKU area were just provincial and not so interesting. I've been so nervous too,since I'm a very amateurish and awkward tour guide. I felt extremely happy when I heard the young man told me at Yogo sta. that the tour was fantastic, especially the view from the mountain and the refreshing air when bikingalong the lake. I know the word is quite flattering, but we were really lucky enough to have acceptable weather,since we have almost entered into the long rainy season.I strongly hope that all of your days in Japan this time will be unforgettably good memories.I was so glad to be able to meet all of you. I'll never forget the nicest group.From YoshiJun.17th (Mon.), 2024; 21:14
Dear Yoshi san,
No words can convey to you how much we appreciate all the work you have put in the tour you gave us of your home country Kyoto, Japan. We most grateful for your guidance in imparting all your knowledge of the places we visited.
We are glad that you enjoyed our most humble gifts. The NY Yankee hat and the tote bag was selected because it was a reminder from your friends from New York. And the tote bag was selected because the pictures depicts some of the most iconic buildings around NY. And of course, the New York Times items were related to Lindsey san’s work place. Since we have little knowledge of sake, we hope you will enjoy the home brew one you unwittingly helped us select 😉.
Thank you again from the bottom of our hearts ❤️ for the most wonderful tour of your home country, and all the time and effort you have put in for us. We will not forget the wonderful time we had together and please stay in touch!
Most sincerely,
Nancy Mui Chew
[clink url="Re: The Warmest Thank-You Message from the American Family (先日、“古都巡り”にご一緒したご米国人ご家族からの温かい御礼メール） - KOHOKU Tour"]
I got the message this evening from one of the family members.It might be true that we were really lucky not to encounter any troubles and fully enjoyed ourselves during the 2 days' tour, but I haven't expected it at all to get such a heart-felt mail to this amateurish tour guide.I'm now thinking that a person who has to show an attitude of gratitude is I, not the guests....I mean, thanks to this nice opportunity, I was able to study a lot about the destinations and / or delve into the historical background, which must become useful knowledge for my guiding skill in the future. Thank you for your nice souvenirs to me from NYC, too. I will use all of them with deep care...I'd be really happy if your first visit to this Far Eastern country this time will become a good inspiration to have more interest in its history and culture.
Hi Yoshi
Thank you for everything. It’s very nice of you to capture our family memories. We really appreciate it.
Thank you very much for the pictures and yes go ahead and use as you please.
Hi, all the To san's family members.I strongly hope that all of your days in Japan this time will be unforgettable good memories.I was so glad to be able to meet all of you.I'll never forget the handsome families.From YoshiApr., 02 (Tue.), 2024
