Hikone City on the east coast of Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture is a great destination for a historical, cultural, and scenic rich short trip away from the big cities. Even if you only have half a day, you can still have much fun at the national treasure Hikone Castle and the surrounding township. But …
Hikone – A City in Kansai Perfect for a Weekend Getaway Read More »
Towards the end of the Kyōbashi Castle Road, there is a temple with an unusual red gate. Sōan-ji Temple’s (宗安寺) gate stands out from its surroundings because it was moved from Sawayama castle’s (佐和山城) Ōtemon Gate (大手門). With the gate relocated in 1603, it was the only castle structure that survived the enormous fire of …
Sōan-ji: The Must-Visit Temple Close to Hikone Castle Read More »
Are you going to visit Hikone Castle soon? Don’t forget to stop by the Yume Kyōbashi Castle Road (夢京橋 キャッスル口一ド), which continues for 350 meters from the castle’s Kyōbashi Bridge. Traditional houses with white walls and black windows lining the sides of the road will almost make you feel like you have slipped back in …
Yume Kyōbashi Castle Road and its Mouthwatering Desserts Read More »
At the foot of Mt. Sawa (佐和山), not too far away from Hikone Station, there are three temples that have a deep connection with the Ii clan, which is in charge of the Hikone Domain. Because of their history, these temples are popular tourist destinations after visiting Hikone Castle. If you have more than half …
Ryōtan-ji and the Surrounding Temples Related to the Ii Clan Read More »
In the south of Hikone City in Shiga Prefecture, Taga Taisha (多賀大社) is one of the most prominent shrines in the region. It is one of those shrines that can still woo you even if you are tired of visiting Japanese shrines. With a history of more than 1,300 years, it is one of the …
Taga Taisha Shrine and the Parents of the Goddess of the Sun Read More »
You might have heard about the Former Nakasendō (旧中山道), one of the five major government routes of the Edo period (1603 – 1867). The once mountainous road of 534 km connected Kyoto to Tokyo and went through 7 prefectures (Tokyo, Saitama, Gunma, Nagano, Gifu, Shiga, and Kyoto). The route constructed in 1602 has 69 post …
The Old Post Towns on the Former Nakasendō in Hikone Read More »
On Japan’s biggest lake, Lake Biwa, there are a total of four islands, and one of them belongs to Hikone City‘s administrative area. Takei Island (多景島) is a small island with a circumference of about 600 meters, floating about 6.5 km off the city’s coast. Similar to Chikubu Island, which isn’t too far away, the …
Takei Island – The Small Sacred Island on Lake Biwa Read More »
One of the most famous attractions around Japan’s largest lake, Lake Biwa, is Hikone Castle (彦根城). The castle was never besieged and thus maintained its graceful appearance throughout the past 400 years. Because of its beautiful scenery, even those who aren’t interested in castles tend to pay it a visit when they travel to Shiga …
Hikone Castle – Hikone’s Best Cherry Blossom Destination Read More »