Hikone Castle
彦根城35°17′ N 136°15′ ECastleEdo; built 1604–1622 by the Ii clan
Hikone Castle suits anyone who wants to stand inside one of Japan's original keeps, though the keep's stairs climb at 60 degrees and holiday crowds mean a queue to get in.
Photo Hyppolyte de Saint-Rambert · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 and others, credited in the gallery
Visiting with care · Open to visitors
Queues for the keep form on holidays and long weekends.
- The keep's stairs climb at 60 to 62 degrees, so carry bags on your back and keep a hand on the rail.
- Some paths close while herons nest on the Yamazaki enclosure, and the castle posts each closure.
- The castle grounds are a special wildlife protection zone, so leave the birds and plants alone.
- Drivers should use the city's tourist car parks around the castle.
Work on the castle began in 1604 and took about 20 years, and the Ii family held it through the Edo period. Its three-tier keep is one of the few left standing from that age, and it became a national treasure on 29 March 1952. The keep stands 20.5 m including its 5 m stone base. Inside, the stairs climb at 62 degrees to the second floor and 60 degrees to the third.
Getting there is a climb too. About 140 stone steps rise some 50 m from each gate to the inner citadel, and the grounds inside the middle moat cover about 500,000 square metres. The ticket includes Genkyu-en, the garden on the castle's north side. On 3 September 2026 the Agency for Cultural Affairs' council recommended that Japan nominate the castle for World Heritage, and the city is aiming for inscription in 2028.
Adults pay ¥1,000 and children ¥300 since October 2024. The castle opens every day from 8:30 to 17:00, with last entry at 16:30 and the keep and turrets shutting at 16:45. The castle office warns that the keep fills on long weekends and runs a night opening on some of them.
Worth knowing
- Arrive at opening on a holiday weekend, when the castle office expects queues for the keep.
- The combined ticket with the Hikone Castle Museum costs ¥1,500 for adults.
- The castle grounds are about 13 minutes on foot from JR Hikone Station.
Quick answers about Hikone Castleよくある質問
How much is Hikone Castle?
¥1,000 for adults and ¥300 for elementary and junior high students, including Genkyu-en garden. Groups of 30 or more get 20 percent off.
Is Hikone Castle a World Heritage Site?
Not yet. In September 2026 the Agency for Cultural Affairs' council backed it as Japan's nomination, and Hikone is aiming for inscription in 2028.
Can you visit Hikone Castle?
Open to visitors. The keep's stairs climb at 60 to 62 degrees, so carry bags on your back and keep a hand on the rail. Some paths close while herons nest on the Yamazaki enclosure, and the castle posts each closure.
What are the opening hours of Hikone Castle?
Hikone Castle keeps these hours: Mon–Sun 08:30–17:00.
How should you behave at Hikone Castle?
At Hikone Castle: The castle grounds are a special wildlife protection zone, so leave the birds and plants alone. Drivers should use the city's tourist car parks around the castle.
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