National Treasure Hikone Castle

The moonlit Hikone castle is counted as one of the picturesque ‘ Eight Views of Lake Biwa. The existing original castle tower is designated as a national treasure castle, together with Himeji Castle, Matsumoto Castle and Inuyama Castle. The castle construction started in 1604 by the order of Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu. The castle tower, keeps and stone walls are said to have been relocated from nearby Otsu Castle, Sawayama Castle and Nagahama Castle and others. Escaping from the castle abolishing order in Meiji era and the war damage, the castle still keeps the beautiful appearance having the fifth renovation in 1996 from the original castle was constructed. Together with Hikone Castle Museum keeping treasures passed down from Ii family, the successive lords of Hikone Domain, and the officially-designated scenic spot; “Genkyu- rakuraku en”, a daimyo garden, Hikone Castle is attracting visitors in all seasons.