Location: Hikone
Top Things to do in Hikone
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10 Things to Do in Hikone That You Shouldn't Miss
Hikone in Japan, from Asia region, is best know for Specialty Museums. Discover best things to do in Hikone with beautiful photos and great reviews from traveller around the world here!
Restaurants in Hikone
1. Hikone Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 880 reviews
Reviewed By Barbara W - Utah
Of the four "National Treasure" Castles I saw on my last trip, Himeji and Matsumoto were decidedly the best. Hikone is smaller and the stairs are slightly more difficult to negotiate. All have the same basic formula - defensive architectural features, steep stairs, a hidden floor, etc. In its favor is a great little museum and a beautiful garden next door. When the castle, museum and Genkyuen Garden are combined, they are well worth a half day visit.
2. Genkyuen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 98 reviews
Reviewed By sinjoorAntwerp - Antwerp
This is a traditional Japanese garden, with a respectable age of 340 years. The simple fact that this garden is still as it was designed earns our respect and invites us to contemplate on our home land. Two houses at the entrance of the garden are carefully restored. The views on the garden only spoiled by some lighting poles in the back : progress of modern times ? One can turn ones back to it and respectfully admire the borrowed scenery : the castle on the hilltop. How many places offer such a wonderful view ? The secret to visiting Gardens though is : timing. One should stroll through this gem, not rush. Only then we feel the sensations that this garden was ment to awaken.
3. Hikone Castle Museum
Overall Ratings
4 based on 129 reviews
Reviewed By mypocketsareempty - Singapore, Singapore
The Ii clan ruled in Hikone for over 200 years, which also meant they left behind some interesting historical pieces. The museum exhibits some of these pieces, offering an insight into the history of Hikone Castle, it's rulers and the surrounding. There are (sometimes brief) English translations for most of the exhibits.
There is also a portion regarding Noh theatre, including an original noh stage inside the museum itself. There seem to be noh plays running at selected timings of the year, but they do have a (permanent?) video display of various noh Performances. The museum is housed in a recreation of the Hikone Palace, so you also get a glimpse of some of the daimyo's living areas, and admire the view he saw from his tea room.
Do grab the combined ticket for the castle keep, the museum and genkyuen garden for ¥1000.
4. Yumekyobashi Castel Road
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 151 reviews
Reviewed By tinytrev - Sydney
Purpose built tourist strip with little soul but plenty of souvenirs. Spend your money at the real shops in the town centre instead.
5. Hikone Tourist Information Center, Irasshaimase-kan
Overall Ratings
4 based on 33 reviews
Reviewed By Just-Julie-Cairns - Cairns, Australia
We arrived at Hikone Station and realised I could not remember the name of our Ryokan for the night so went into the Hikone Tourist Information Center to see if I could find it advertised. The lovely staff who could speak good English knew the correct Ryokan when I described where it was located. They rang to confirm that we had the correct one and was told that our host was coming to collect us in his car. These lovely ladies could not do enough for us, wanting us to sit down while we were waiting and checking the front of the Center to see if our host had arrived. It was a wonderful welcome to this beautiful town. They have some lovely souvenirs too!
6. Ii Naomasa Statue
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 59 reviews
Reviewed By DYA717 - Honolulu
An NHK 2017 drama figure A stones throw out the west exit of Hikone train station Nice statue. I saw the NHK Taiga drama regarding the Ii clan so it was great to see the statue.
7. Ryotanji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By Emily L - Japan
This temple feels ancient! The cemetery grounds behind it stretch on forever. It makes me wonder how they got those stones up the steep hillsides! It's quiet and earthy here, everything is bathed in green. The temple itself has many daruma, you can buy one when you purchase your Y400 ticket inside! For Shiga, this place is magical.
8. Ruins of Sawayamajo Castle
Overall Ratings
4 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By お遍路さん京都市 - 京都市
最終と云うか、石田三成の居城として有名です。敗戦後には井伊家の所有となるも、すぐに彦根城の建設にとりかかったので、この城郭は現在では石垣一つりこっていないと云うか、単なるハイキングコースとなり、ところどころに説明看板が立っている程度です。歴史は勝者の都合で書き換えられると云われますが、なんで昔から勝者は敗者の町とか陣地を徹底的に破壊するのでしょうね？有効活用した方が合理的なのに・・・明治政府も然りで彦根城も現存部分以外は破壊されたみたいですね。ここも三成の存在そのものまで消し去ろうとして徹底的に、石垣の石に至るまで破壊されたみたいですね。愚か・・・。
9. Shiga Prefecture Gokoku Shrine
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 28 reviews
Reviewed By お遍路さん京都市 - 京都市
実に殺風景な神社ですね、境内も奥行があるだけで整備されていないし・・・建物も然程、どうこう云う程度のものでもないし・・。ただ単に「広い」と云う印象だけの神社でした。駐車場に直結しているので色々と便利な場所ではあるけれども。
10. Soanji Temple
Overall Ratings
4 based on 21 reviews
Reviewed By Emily L - Japan
This isn't a tourist spot, it's a place of worship and prayer. So don't seek it out, but if you stumble upon it take a look around. It's always very quiet.
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