Hikone Castle 彦根城

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Hikone Castle 彦根城

Hikone Castle is famous as being only one of four castles in Japan designated as a National Treasure. The tenshu castle tower is original, and you can enter it to get a good idea of what a real castle looked like.

In front of Hikone Station, welcome banners for Hikone Castle's 400th anniversary in 2007 surround a statue of Ii Naomasa.

Hiko-nyan, the official mascot for Hikone Castle's 400th anniversary in 2007. He proven to be so popular that he has been retained as the city's official mascot. Basically a white cat with a horned samurai helmet. 彦にゃん

Hiko-nyan merchandise

Hikone Castle was the idea of Lord Ii Naomasa (井伊直政) (1561-1602 ). He was a general under Tokugawa Ieyasu whom he helped to win the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600. He was rewarded with the fief of Omi (now Shiga) and Sawayama Castle.

Naomasa disliked Sawayama Castle (former home of Ishida Mitsunari) and wanted to build a new castle. However, he never fully recovered from an old gunshot wound from the Sekigahara battle and died in 1602 before being able to start construction.

At the intersection, straight ahead is Gokoku Shrine (護国神社) dedicated to Shiga's war dead. You can go through the shrine or turn left toward Hikone Castle.

Come in the early morning and see Hikone Castle's moat water give a mirror reflection of the cherry blossoms. It's really beautiful on a sunny morning.

Naomasa's son Naokatsu was still an infant when Naomasa died. So Naomasa chief retainer consulted with Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu and it was decided to build a new castle at the present location. Construction started in 1603.

Hikone Castle moat and cherry blossoms.

Since the construction of Hikone Castle was designated as a national project by the Tokugawa government, as many as 12 daimyo lords were ordered to assist in the construction.

In 1606, the 1st and 2nd phases of Hikone Castle's construction were completed. The tenshu castle tower was also completed and Naokatsu moved in. This is the Castle moat and Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret.

In 1616, the construction's 3rd phase was begun to build the castle palace. Construction was henceforth carried out by local Hikone workers without outside help. The castle construction was completed in 1622.

Castle moat and Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret. Hikone Castle was home to a total of 14 Ii lords until Ii Naosuke. The Ii family remained close to the Tokugawa and the family head traditionally served as the Tokugawa government's Chief Ministe

Hikone Castle was built with many structures and materials transferred other Shiga castles such as Otsu Castle, Nagahama Castle, Odani Castle, Kannonji, and Sawayama Castle. This greatly reduced the cost and time required to complete the castle.

Iroha-matsu pine trees line the road to the castle. These are Tosa pines whose roots do not protrude above ground.

Iroha-matsu pine tree and banner.

Iroha-matsu pine tree and sakura

Cherry blossoms, castle moat, and Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret.

Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret. The first entrance you go through when arriving at the castle grounds.

This is Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret, but notice that the windows are open. This turret has finally been opened to the public from 2008.

Originally built in 1622, the Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret is designated as an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese government. Part of it was rebuilt in 1960.

Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret and cherry blossoms.

The right side of the turret is now a museum for the Ii Clan. Many items from the Ii clan were donated to the museum from the Ii family descendants.

Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret with windows open.

The rear of the left-side and original Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret, before being opened to the public.

Being open to the public from 2008, the Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret now has a stairway on the right.

Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret

Banner for the 150th anniversary of Lord Ii Naosuke opening Japan to the world.

Inside Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret.

Ceiling structure inside Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret.

View of the other side of the rebuilt Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret (now a museum).

View of the Iroha road as seen from Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret.

Moat as seen from Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret.

Moat as seen from Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret in spring.

View of castle grounds as seen from Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret. The Umaya Horse Stable is on the right.

Behind the Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret.

Behind the rebuilt Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret, now the Kaikoku Kinenkan museum.

Inside the museum housed in the Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret.

Photography is allowed only in this room of the museum.

Where Hiko-nyan's helmet design came from.

Cross section of Hikone Castle.

Umaya Horse Stable (Important Cultural Property).

Umaya Horse Stable

Entrance to Umaya Horse Stable. Open to the public, free admission.

About the Umaya Horse Stable in English, Korean, and Chinese.

Behind the horse stable and Ninomaru-Sawaguchi Tamon Yagura Turret in the background.

Behind the horse stable.

Inside Umaya Horse Stable, open to the public for the 400th anniversary onward in 2007.

Dummy horse in the horse stable.

The stable is in remarkable condition, and the only one in Japan existing within a castle grounds.

Souvenir shop

Hiko-nyan mascot goods in souvenir shop.

In one Tora-san movie (starring Atsumi Kiyoshi) made in 1982, this is where he sold his goods.

Sign says Hikone Castle is one of the "Omi Hakkei" or Eight Views of Omi in spring.

Sign says Hikone Castle is one of the "Omi Hakkei" or Eight Views of Omi.

Omotemon Bridge and Gate 表門

Omotemon Bridge and cherry blossoms

Omotemon Bridge

Entrance to castle. The ticket office is where you pay castle admission of 600 yen for adults. You can also buy a ticket set which includes admission to Genkyuen Garden (recommended). Open 8:30 am to 5 pm.

Time when Hiko-nyan (Hikone's official mascot) will appear today.

Kadomatsu decoration for New Year's. Hikone Castle Museum is in the background. During New Year's, they served free hot ama-zake (sweet sake) to all visitors.

Entrance to Hikone Castle Museum. A reconstruction of the castle palace completed in 1987 to mark Hikone city's 50th anniversary. Admission charged.

Inside Hikone Castle Museum are samurai armor exhibits.

Ii clan samurai armor and helmet. Remember this helmet because it also appears on Hikone's official mascot Hiko-nyan (photos below).

About the Ii clan's samurai armor. It was all red.

Letter written by Ii Naosuke is also displayed in the Hikone Castle Museum.

Matchlock gun

Hikone Byobu folding screen is a National Treasure and exhibited during certain periods, usually in spring.

Close-up of Hikone Byobu's left half.

Close-up of Hikone Byobu. The woman on the lower right is writing a love letter.

Close-up of Hikone Byobu.

The Hikone Castle Museum also has a Noh stage where Noh plays are held occasionally.

Noh play on the Noh stage inside Hikone Castle Museum.

A tea room in Hikone Castle Museum.

Hikone Castle Museum garden.

Hikone's super popular official mascot Hiko-nyan appears every day outside Hikone Castle Museum (photo) or in front of the main castle tower. A large crowd gathers each time.

As of April 2013, Hiko-nyan appears three times daily for a 30-min. show: 10:30 am and 1:30 pm in front of the main castle tower (tenshu) and at 3:00 pm outside Hikone Castle Museum.

Hiko-nyan does not talk or even "meow." He speaks through a handler or translator. Basically, he (or it) just struts around and makes cute poses with or without a prop.

If it rains, Hiko-nyan appears at the Castle Museum. Hiko-nyan is a white cat wearing a red samurai helmet with horns, modeled after the one worn by Lord Ii Naomasa, the first lord of Hikone Castle.

"Hiko" refers to Hikone, and "nyan" is a baby word for cat. Hiko-nyan's appearance schedule is here.

Omotezaka Path to castle tower. Not good for wheel chairs or those who don't like to climb stairs.

Bridge to Tenbin Yagura turret

Under the bridge to Tenbin Yagura turret.

Bridge to Tenbin Yagura turret.

Tenbin Yagura turret on the left.

Left end of Tenbin Yagura turret.

The name Tenbin refers to its similarity to a tenbin shoulder pole for carrying a piece of luggage tied to each end. Both east (right) and west (left) ends of the building has a two-story watchtower turret. They look symmetrical, but are not identical.天

The tenbin Yagura turret is said to have come from Nagahama Castle. (Important Cultural Property) 天秤櫓

Tenbin Yagura turret in spring.

Right side of Tenbin Yagura turret in spring with cherry blossoms.

Right side of Tenbin Yagura turret in spring.

Inside Tenbin Yagura turret now open to the public since 2007.

Inside Tenbin Yagura turret

Under the right turret inside Tenbin Yagura. Stairway (closed to public) to 2nd floor of right turret.

Inside Tenbin Yagura turret, looking toward the left turret.

View of the bridge from Tenbin Yagura turret.

Rear view of Tenbin Yagura turret.

Rear view of Tenbin Yagura turret. The middle door also serves as an entrance.

Steps to Taikomon Gate.

Path to Taikomon Gate.

Steps leading to Taikomon Gate. Before that, you can pay to have tea under the red umbrella front of the tea house and Time-Keeping Bell.

Time-Keeping Bell or Jiho-sho. It is rung five times daily at 6:00, 9:00, 12:00 noon, 15:00, and 18:00. Also see my YouTube video here.

Time-Keeping Bell. The bell was recast in 1844. 時報鐘 - Jihosho. Next to the bell is a tea house called Choshoan. The 13th lord of the castle, Ii Naosuke was a diligent practitioner of the tea ceremony.

Steps to Taikomon Gate.

English information sign for Taikomon Gate.

The info sign also has a sticker with a QR code to be read by your compatible cell phone. You can then access the respective URL and see more information.

Taikomon Yagura Turret. This is the gate right before you reach the main castle tower. "Taikomon" means Taiko Drum Gate. It had a taiko drum that was beaten to convey signals to the inner castle. Important Cultural Property. 太鼓門

You can enter Taikomon Gate which is an exhibition room for photos of Japanese castles and a model of Hikone Castle.

Inside Taikomon Gate.

Sign outside the Taikomon Gate indicating the city's project to have Hikone Castle be designated as a World Heritage Site.

Finally you see the main castle tower or Tenshukaku. Hikone Castle was completed in 1622 after 20 years of construction by Lord Ii Naotsugu who started building the caslte in 1603 upon his deceased father Naomasa's wish.

Hikone Castle's main tower is said to be originally the castle tower for Otsu Castle whose lord was Kyogoku Takatsugu. It was moved here in 1606. This main tower is designated as a National Treasure.

Hikone Castle is one of four main castle towers in Japan designated as a National Treasure. The others are Himeji, Matsumoto, and Inuyama Castles.

During 1957 to 1960, this castle tower was disassembled and repaired.

Hikone Castle has bell-shaped windows at the top.

Hikone Castle

Hikone Castle in summer.

Front view of Hikone Castle tower 天守閣

The castle tower is not as large as Himeji or Matsumoto, but the construction on the inside is original.

The rear of the castle tower.

Entrance to castle tower

Entrance to tower. There are a few very steep staircases. Wearing high heels and miniskirts are not recommended.

Ceiling of Hikone Castle tower.

Corridor

View from Hikone Castle tower

Top floor. The windows are small and it's difficult to get a good shot of the view. There is also no balcony to go outside on the top floor.

Top floor ceiling.

View from castle tower

View from castle tower, looking toward Nishinomaru during cherry blossoms season.

View from castle tower, looking toward Lake Biwa.

View from castle tower, looking toward central Hikone with the castle museum in the foreground.

View from castle tower, Takeshima in Lake Biwa. Takeshima is a small island near Hikone. 多景島 Photos here.

In fall

Rear of castle tower

Behind the castle tower is Nishinomaru keep which is west of the castle tower.

Path to Nishinomaru in spring. This area is also good for pinicking.

If you walk further, you will see Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret.

Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret. This turret is usually closed to the public, but opened during the 400th anniversary in 2007.

Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret. This turret is said to have formerly been the tenshu castle tower of Odani Castle in Nagahama. 西の丸三重櫓

Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret. "Sanju" means three stories. You can see the 3-story turret. However, we are not allowed to see the 2nd and 3rd floors.

Inside Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret. (Important Cultural Property)

Inside Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret. Quite authentic.

Inside Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret.

Beam joint inside Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret.

No nails

You can walk further to go behind Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret and this is what you will see.

Behind Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret.

Rear view of Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret.

Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret.

Moat of Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret.

Nishinomaru Sanju-yagura turret.

Lake Biwa as seen from Nishinomaru.

Mt. Sawayama as seen from Nishinomaru.

After visiting the Hikone Castle Tower. There are a few ways to exit. One way is going through this Otemon Gate to Kyobashi Bridge.

Kyobashi Bridge 京橋

Hikone Castle moat in autumn from Kyobashi Bridge.

Kyobashi Bridge goes to Yume-Castle Road which is a street of local shops and restaurants. In the moat, you might see a few black swans which were gifts from Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture.

Another exit is this Kuromon Gate. This might be a better exit if you also want to visit Genkyuen Garden (recommended). 黒門

Moat as seen from Kuromon Gate.

Moat near Genkyuen Garden.

Moat and cherry trees next to Genkyuen Garden.

Boat landing for the moat boat.

Moat boat

You can also see a statue of Ii Naosuke near the Hikone Castle moat. Lord of the castle and also an important historical figure. 井伊直弼

Ii Naosuke (井伊直弼) (1815-1860) as the Tokugawa shogunate's Chief Minister (Tairo) who favored and concluded commercial treaties with the Western powers and thus broke Japan's isolation from the world.

Map of Hikone Castle as it is today.

Hikone Castle as seen from Genkyu-en Garden. Genkyu-en is a Japanese garden next to the castle.

See more pictures of Genkyuen at my Genkyu-en photo album.

Hikone Castle as seen from Genkyuen Garden during autumn at night.

Hikone Castle tower lit up at night.

Hikone Castle as seen from Matsubara Beach.

Across the moat from Hikone Castle is Umoregi-no-ya, a house where Lord Ii Naosuke lived and trained in various arts from age 17 to 32. 埋木舎

The house has a depressing name. "Umoregi" means petrified wood. Since he was far down the family line to succeed the lordship of his clan, Naosuke did not expect he his life would flower and thereby named this house. 埋木舎

Naosuke bided his time studying and practicing the tea ceremony, flower arrangement, Zen, poetry, martial arts, and other arts.

For tea ceremony, he was the one who coined the phrase "Ichigo Ichie," literally meaning one time, one meeting. It can mean, "happens only once." 一期一会

Palanquin. Did not say that Naosuke rode it.

Inside a palanquin.

Inside a palanquin. Seat back cushion.

Umoregi-no-ya was restored from 1985 to 1991, costing 200 million yen. Subsidized by the Cultural Affairs Agency, the prefecture, and city. It is a Special National Historic Site.

Tea ceremony room

We can peer inside the rooms from outside, but cannot actually enter the building.

Living quarters

The first NHK Taiga Drama series in 1963 was called "Flowering Life" 花の生涯, based on Naosuke's life here in Umoregi-no-ya. This room shows scenes from that TV series.

Two maids looked after Naosuke while he lived here.

Poems

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