Hikone Castle, Genkyuen Garden and the canal town of Omihachiman are the best introduction to Shiga Prefecture, the lake country just east of Kyoto. Hikone has one of only five castle keeps in Japan designated a National Treasure, and in September 2026 it was chosen as Japan’s next World Heritage candidate. A short train ride away, Omihachiman preserves the willow-lined canal and merchant houses that made its traders famous across Japan. Both towns are on the JR line along Lake Biwa, so you can see all three highlights in one long day from Kyoto. This guide covers what to see, how to get there and where to stay.
1. Hikone Castle
Hikone Castle is one of Japan’s best-preserved castles, and its keep is an original Edo-period structure rather than a modern rebuild. Construction began in 1604 and took about 20 years, and the castle was home to the powerful Ii family for generations. The compact white keep, with its graceful layered roofs, sits on a hill surrounded by moats, stone walls and gates, and climbing its steep wooden stairs gives you a view over the town and Lake Biwa. A combined ticket for the castle and Genkyuen Garden costs 1,000 yen, or 1,500 yen with the Hikone Castle Museum, and the grounds open 8:30 to 17:00. Look out for Hikonyan, the castle’s samurai-cat mascot, who makes short appearances several times a day. The castle is about a 15-minute walk from Hikone Station. Spring cherry blossoms and autumn colors along the moat are especially beautiful.
2. Genkyuen Garden
Genkyuen Garden sits just below the castle hill and is included in the combined ticket, so do not skip it. This classic daimyo strolling garden was created for the Ii lords in the 17th century, with a large pond, little islands, stone bridges and carefully shaped pines arranged so that each turn of the path reveals a new view. The highlight is the view across the water to Hikone Castle’s keep, perched on the green hill above, one of the most photographed scenes in Shiga. The adjoining Rakurakuen, part of the lords’ former residence, adds a glimpse of how the family lived. Allow 30 to 45 minutes for a slow walk around the pond. Visit in the morning for calmer water and better reflections, or in late autumn when the maples turn red. Benches along the path make it a peaceful break after the castle stairs.
3. Hachiman-bori Canal in Omihachiman
Omihachiman grew rich as the home of the Omi merchants, traders who did business all over Japan, and its old town still feels like a film set. The Hachiman-bori canal was dug as a castle moat and as a shipping route to Lake Biwa, and today its stone embankments, storehouses and willows make it perfect for a slow walk. Traditional boat rides of about 35 minutes run from 10:00 to 16:00: a hand-rowed boat costs 1,300 yen and a motorboat 1,500 yen, and you take your shoes off before boarding. Nearby, Himure Hachimangu Shrine is free to visit, and the Hachimanyama Ropeway (950 yen round trip, about 4 minutes) climbs to the site of the old castle for views over the town and the lake. Try Omi beef, one of Japan’s top wagyu brands, at a restaurant along the canal. From Omi-Hachiman Station, take a bus of about 9 minutes to the old town.
Where to Stay Near Hikone
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Hikone is the most convenient base for this trip: the castle is a short walk from the station, and Omihachiman is only about 15 minutes away by JR train. Staying overnight lets you see the castle early, before the day-trippers arrive from Kyoto, and enjoy an Omi beef dinner without watching the clock. Most hotels are near Hikone Station or between the station and the castle.
Luxury
Hikone Castle Resort & Spa is the most stylish place to stay in town, a short walk from the castle grounds, with elegant rooms and a spa for relaxing after a day of sightseeing. It is the natural choice if you want to wake up near the castle and stroll its moats in the quiet early morning.
Upscale hotel close to the castle with a spa.
Mid-Range
Hotel Sunroute Hikone is a reliable mid-range hotel in central Hikone with comfortable rooms and easy access to both the station and the castle. It suits travelers who want good value and a convenient location for an early start.
Comfortable hotel between the station and the castle area.
Budget-Friendly
Toyoko Inn Hikone eki Higashi guchi offers the dependable, compact rooms of the Toyoko Inn chain right by the east exit of Hikone Station. It is ideal if you plan to catch early trains to Omihachiman or Nagahama.
Toyoko Inn Hikone eki Higashi guchi
Simple chain hotel at the station east exit.
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Hotels in Hikone on Booking.com
Stay in Hikone to visit the castle before the crowds and reach Omihachiman in about 15 minutes by train.
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Quick Tips for Visiting
- Buy the combined Hikone Castle and Genkyuen ticket (1,000 yen) so you can enter both without lining up twice.
- Wear shoes you can slip off easily: the castle keep’s wooden stairs are very steep, and you remove your shoes on the Omihachiman boats.
- The hand-rowed canal boats do not run on Wednesdays, at New Year and Obon, or Monday to Thursday in January and February, so check before you go.
- Nagahama, about 15 minutes beyond Hikone by train, makes a great extra stop for its Kurokabe glass shops and boats to Chikubu Island.
- Most JR trains on this route accept IC cards such as Suica and ICOCA, so you do not need to buy paper tickets.
Getting there by train: From Kyoto, JR special rapid trains on the Biwako Line reach Omi-Hachiman in about 35 minutes and Hikone in about 50 minutes. If you are coming from Tokyo or Nagoya, take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Maibara, then the JR line to Hikone, just 4 minutes away. Both JR lines and the Shinkansen to Maibara are covered by the Japan Rail Pass. Read our guide to riding trains in Japan, learn how to ride the Shinkansen, and check whether the JR Pass is worth it for your route.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to visit Hikone Castle?
A combined ticket for Hikone Castle and Genkyuen Garden costs 1,000 yen for adults, or 1,500 yen including the Hikone Castle Museum. The grounds open from 8:30 to 17:00.
Is Hikone Castle original?
Yes. Hikone Castle’s keep is an original structure from the early 1600s and is one of only five castle keeps in Japan designated a National Treasure.
How long are the Omihachiman canal boat rides?
The boat rides on the Hachiman-bori canal last about 35 minutes. A hand-rowed boat costs 1,300 yen and a motorboat costs 1,500 yen.
Can you visit Hikone and Omihachiman in one day from Kyoto?
Yes. Both are on the JR Biwako Line: Omi-Hachiman is about 35 minutes from Kyoto and Hikone about 50 minutes, so a full day covers both towns.
