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Hikone Guide: 11 Places to Visit and Culinary Spots
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Today we feature the top sightseeing spots and restaurants in Hikone City. Hikone has many sightseeing places including Hikone Castle, a National Treasure. It also has tasty specialties such as Omi beef, fish from Lake Biwa and locally brewed beer!
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This is the official account of MATCHA's editorial department. Our articles feature useful travel information for visitors to Japan, from how-to guides to recommended places to visit.
Hikone: Enjoy Sightseeing and Gourmet Food
Picture courtesy of Photo AC
Hikone City, located in the northeast part of Shiga Prefecture, is a historic spot that flourished as a castle town during the Edo Period (1603-1868).
The Hikone Castle area is a gathering place for famous attractions. So it's easy to go sightseeing even on a daytrip. Also, Omi beef, one of Japan's Top Three Wagyu Beef Brands, is known for being a Hikone specialty.
This article introduces Hikone's recommended sightseeing spots and also the best places to sample Hikone's local cuisine.
Hikone Travel Guide
Top 8 Places to Visit in Hikone
1. Hikone Castle: A Leading Sightseeing Spot and National Treasure!
2. Genkyu-en Garden: Take a Break At This Charming Garden
3. Hikone Castle Yakatabune: A Great View From the Inner Moat
4. Yume-Kyobashi Castle Road: See Rows of Traditional Townhouses.
5. Yonbancho Square: Feel the Romantic Taisho-era Atmosphere
6. Takeshima Island: See Amazing Views of Lake Biwa
7. Hikone Sky Adventure: A Satisfying Time for Adults and Kids!
8. Ichishiro Kiln: Have a Koto-yaki Pottery Experience
Hikone Food Guide: Top 3 Restaurants
1. Sennaritei Restaurant: Enjoy Omi Beef to Your Heart's Content
2. Soba Monzenya: 100% Buckwheat Noodles and Lake Biwa's Bounty
3. Kakuregura Fujii Honke: A Hideaway Restaurant in a Sake Brewery
1. Hikone Castle: A Leading Sightseeing Spot and National Treasure
Picture courtesy of Photo AC
Hikone Castle, along with Himeji Castle, Matsumoto Castle, Inuyama Castle, and Matsue Castle, has had its castle keep designated as a National Treasure. Its four watchtowers (yagura) and horse stable (umaya) were designated as Important Cultural Properties.
The castle was never involved in any war, so it is very well preserved compared to other places in the country. Genkyu-en Garden, the secondary residence's garden, as well as the inner and central moats remain as they were at the time.
In the evening it's illuminated, so visitors can see a castle with a mystical aura that's slightly different from the daytime.
Hikone Castle
Location: Shiga, Hikone, Konki-cho 1-1
Business Hours: 8:30 - 17:00
Closed: Open all year. But Hikone City Museum of History (Kaikoku Kinenkan) is closed from December 25 - 31.
Official Homepage: Hikone Castle
2. Genkyu-en Garden: Take a Break at This Charming Garden
Picture courtesy of Photo AC
Genkyu-en Garden is a scenic spot that's northeast of Hikone Castle. This strolling garden with a central pond previously belonged to a feudal lord.
Its distinctive feature is a small Japanese-style room (rinchikaku) jutting out into the large pond, with the forest and Hikone Castle's keep in the background.
At a tea ceremony venue called Hoshodai, which stands atop a small hill, visitors can enjoy matcha green tea and sweets as they admire the surrounding scenic beauty.
Every year in November, the Genkyu-en Garden Illumination is also held. This allows you to enjoy the beautiful autumn leaves on the garden premises.
Genkyu-en Garden
Location: Shiga, Hikone, Kinko-cho 3
Business Hours: 8:30 - 17:00 (Final admission is 16:30)
Closed: Open all year.
Official Homepage: Genkyu-en Garden
3. Hikone Castle Yakatabune: A Great View From the Inner Moat
Picture courtesy of Photo AC
Hikone Castle Yakatabune is a boat that was used by the feudal lord of the Hikone Domain. This pleasure boat has been restored to almost its original size, and is now used for sightseeing.
As the boat slowly travels down the inner moat, passengers can listen to stories told by the boatman, as well as enjoy magnificent views of the castle's stone walls, water gate, and bridge.
A must-see is the moat's changing scenery during each season: the cherry blossoms in spring, the green foliage in early summer, the autumn leaves in the fall, and winter's snowy landscape. You can experience a different atmosphere than you would by taking a walk on the castle grounds.
Hikone Castle Yakatabune
Location: Shiga, Hikone, Kinko-cho, Genkyu-en Garden Boat Pier
Business Hours: Weekdays 9:30 - 15:15, Weekends / national holidays 9:30 - 16:15 (*Winter operation from mid-December to mid-March)
Closed: New Year's holidays
Official Homepage: Yakatabune Cruise
4. Yume-Kyobashi Castle Road: See Rows of Traditional Townhouses
Picture courtesy of Photo AC
Yume-Kyobashi Castle Road is a famous sightseeing spot where machiya townhouse-style buildings line the street. This townscape, reminiscent of a castle town from the Edo Period, is very attractive. The white walls, black latticework, and ibushi ceramic roof tiles are impressive and make you feel just like you've gone back in time.
The street is lined with restaurants where you can savor Omi beef and eel (unagi) dishes, coffee shops, Japanese-style confectionery shops, and miscellaneous shops that handle products unique to the local area. This spot is ideal for a leisurely stroll.
Let's spend our time sampling Hikone's local cuisine and buying some local souvenirs.
Yume-Kyobashi Castle Road
Location: Shiga, Hikone, Honmachi 1-7-1
Business Hours: Depends on the shop
Closed: Depends on the shop
Official Homepage: Yume-Kyobashi Castle Road (Japanese)
5. Yonbancho Square: Feel the Romantic Taisho-era Atmosphere
Picture courtesy of Photo AC
Yonbancho Square was completed in 2005 as a renewal of Hikone Market Shopping Street, once a bustling area known as "Hikone's Pantry."
The street is lined with buildings that are unified by their modern exteriors, and the gas lamps give the area a new yet nostalgic feel, evoking a Taisho Period romanticism.
The square has a variety of places to eat, including a shop where you can try the local specialty of Omi beef, Japanese and Western-style restaurants, and confectionery shops.
Speaking of Hikone City, their mascot character Hikonyan is also famous. The Hikonyan Museum has Hikonyan-related materials on display and the Hikonyan gift shop sells original goods.
So how about looking for the perfect souvenir as you take your time and visit all the interesting shops?
Yonbancho Square
Location: Shiga, Hikone, Honmachi 1-8-28
Business Hours: Depends on the shop
Closed: Depends on the shop
Official Homepage: Yonbancho Square
6. Takeshima Island: See Amazing Views of Lake Biwa
Picture courtesy of Photo AC
Takeshima Island is an uninhabited island on Lake Biwa. It's sits about 6.5 kilometers off the coast of Hikone City.
The entire island serves as the precincts for Mito-ji Temple (NIchiren Buddhist sect). Since the Yayoi Period the island itself has been worshipped as a sacred object.
Sightseeing on Takeshima Island is only possible during the spring, summer, and fall.
A regular sightseeing boat operates between the port of Hikone and Takeshima Island once every day. The one-way trip takes about 20 minutes and is a popular way to enjoy the scenery on Lake Biwa.
The appearance of the island varies depending on which direction you look at it from. When the weather is nice you can enjoy spectacular views of Lake Biwa from the island.
Takeshima Island
Location: Shiga, Hikone, Hassakacho
Operating Period: March 1 - 29, April 15 - November 30
Non-Service Period: December 1 - last day of February, also during the Kaizu Osaki Cherry Blossom Viewing Boat's operation period.
Official Homepage: Takeshima (marine schedule)
7. Hikone Sky Adventure: A Satisfying Time for Adults and Kids!
Hikone Sky Adventure is a hands-on leisure facility where children all the way to adults can challenge themselves. They can enjoy two types of activities: Aerial Athletics and Aerial Slider.
Aerial Athletics is a course that's eight meters above ground, offering 18 challenges including toboku nobori (climbing a fallen tree) and a climbing wall.
Aerial Slider is an activity in which challengers slide down a 200-meter-long wire that's suspended in the air. You can enjoy the thrill of flying through the air as you take in the stunning views of Lake Biwa, Hikone Castle and the townscape of Hikone City.
Please note that both courses require reservations.
Hikone Sky Adventure
Location: Shiga, Hikone, Furusawacho 278-9
Business Hours: 10:00 - 17:00 (Last admission is 16:00)
Closed: Open all year
Official Homepage: Hikone Sky Adventure (Japanese)
8. Ichishiro Kiln: Have a Koto-yaki Pottery Experience
Picture courtesy of Ichishiro Kiln (Japanese)
Ichishiro Kiln flourished as the official kiln of the Hikone domain at the end of the Edo Period. This studio was originally created with the intention of reviving Koto-yaki pottery which had once fallen out of fashion.
Koto-yaki is characterized by its unique light-blue color and intricate, luxurious painting. Its firing techniques were considered to be of the world's highest standard, not at all inferior to Imari-yaki pottery.
At the studio, earthenware and other items made from Hikone clay are on display and for sale. In addition, visitors can also enjoy making pottery and painting―by hand or with an electric potters wheel―in the pottery workshop (reservations required).
Ichishiro Kiln
Location: Shiga, Hikone, Seribashi 2-2-32
Business Hours: 10:00 - 17:00
Closed: Mondays and Sundays
Official Homepage: Ichishiro Kiln (Japanese)
Hikone Food Guide: Top 3 Restaurants
Hikone has many local specialties, including Omi beef. Next, among these, we introduce our three recommended local gourmet foods.
1. Sennaritei Restaurant: Enjoy Omi Beef to Your Heart's Content
Sennaritei Restaurant is a restaurant where you can savor plenty of Omi beef, one of Japan's Top 3 Wagyu Beef Brands, which is said to have its roots in Hikone beef.
Many items on the menu use Omi beef, including the Kaiseki-style lunch, shabu-shabu, sukiyaki, and steak.
The restaurant interior is a comfortable space and features recessed floor seating (horigotatsu) which can accommodate large groups, as well as relaxing private rooms. Let's enjoy Hikone's unique culinary offerings in this calm and soothing atmosphere.
Sennaritei Restaurant
Location: Shiga, Hikone, Toga-cho 120-4
Business Hours: 11:00 - 22:00 (Last order is 20:30)
Closed: Wednesdays
Official Homepage: Sennaritei Restaurant (Japanese)
Hot Pepper Gourmet: Sennaritei Restaurant (Japanese)
2. Soba Monzenya: 100% Buckwheat Noodles and Lake Biwa's Bounty
Soba Monzenya is a noodle shop located along Yume-Kyobashi Castle Road that serves up homemade 100% soba (buckwheat) and udon noodles.
Diners here can enjoy dishes that use plenty of local ingredients including Omi beef, Omi duck, and ayu tempura (small sweetfish from Lake Biwa).
The restaurant takes pride in their soba―an exquisite dish featuring noodles with a smooth texture and a rich-tasting broth.
Soba Monzenya
Location: Shiga, Hikone, Honmachi 1-6-26
Business Hours: 10:30 - 18:00 (Winter hours are 11:00 - 17:00), the shop closes when the noodles are sold out
Closed: Open all year
Hot Pepper Gourmet: Soba Monzenya (Japanese)
3. Kakuregura Fujii Honke: A Hideaway Restaurant in a Sake Brewery
Kakuregura Fujii Honke is a restaurant that sits inside Fujii Honke, a long-established sake brewery, where Omi's history and handmade traditions are faithfully preserved.
Here, they offer a la carte dishes that pair well with sake and use local ingredients. They are served together with Japanese sake and Hikone's locally brewed beer.
At Fujii Honke brewery, visitors can also enjoy brewery tours and sake / wine tasting.
Kakuregura Fujii Honke
Location: Shiga, Echi, Aisho, Nagano 601
Business Hours:
Monday to Thursday, Sunday 12:00 - 14:00 (Reservation menu only), 17:00 - 20:00.
Fridays, Saturdays 12:00 - 14:00 (Reservation menu only), 17:00 - 22:00.
Closed: Wednesdays
Official Homepage: Kakuregura Fujii Honke (Japanese)
Hot Pepper Gourmet: Kakuregura Fujii Honke (Japanese)
Experience Hikone's History, Nature, and Delicious Food
Hikone has countless highlights including Hikone Castle, a National Treasure, and Lake Biwa. We also recommend the gourmet cuisine that uses local ingredients such as Omi beef and fish from Lake Biwa.
By all means please enjoy the local history, nature, and gourmet as you visit all of Hikone's sightseeing spots!
Read also
Main image courtesy of Photo AC
Written by Cakutama editorial team
Written by
This is the official account of MATCHA's editorial department. Our articles feature useful travel information for visitors to Japan, from how-to guides to recommended places to visit.
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