Nagahama Castle & Hokoen Park 長浜城・豊公園

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Nagahama Castle & Hokoen Park 長浜城・豊公園

Nagahama Castle (reconstructed) is a lakeside castle within Hokoen Park near Nagahama Station. This is the entrance to the park. 豊公園 MAP

The original castle was built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in the 16th century who lived in Nagahama Castle until 1582. Lord Yamauchi Kazutoyo later lived in Nagahama Castle.

The current castle tower was reconstructed in 1983. It serves as a local history museum.

In April, numerous cherry trees around the castle in Hokoen Park bloom spectacularly. The best time to visit Nagahama Castle.

Nagahama Castle, Shiga

Cherry Blossom Plaque and Nagahama Castle Honmaru marker.

Plaque proclaiming Hokoen Park as one of Japan's 100 Best Cherry Blossom Spots.

Plaque proclaiming Hokoen Park as one of Japan's 100 Best Cherry Blossom Places.

Side view of Nagahama Castle

I visited the park in April 2009 in the early morning before the crowds arrived. It truly was a peaceful beauty.

Cherry blossoms in full bloom and no people. How wonderful. Like it was all for me only, at 7 am.

Way to Nagahama Castle's main tower (donjon).

Steps to Nagahama Castle's main tower (donjon).

Nagahama Castle is a local history museum.

Nagahama Castle tower, local history museum.

Nagahama Castle History Museum, open 9 am - 5 pm (enter by 4:30 pm). Closed during the year end and New Year's period.

Castle wall foundation rocks.

Entrance to Nagahama Castle History Museum. Small admission charged.

Inside Nagahama Castle, a local history museum.

Model of castle construction.

Old map of Nagahama Castle. There were many moats and canals.

Top floor of castle.

View of cherry blossoms from Nagahama Castle's lookout deck.

Panorama from the top of Nagahama Castle, looking south.

Panorama from the top of Nagahama Castle, looking west toward Lake Biwa.

Panorama from the top of Nagahama Castle, looking north and west.

In winter.

In spring.

In summer.

In summer from Nagahama Castle.

Lake Biwa and cherry blossoms as seen from Nagahama Castle.

Mt. Yamamoto-yama as seen from Nagahama Castle.

On the balcony, with Mt. Ibuki in the distance in winter.

Back on the ground heading toward another bunch of cherry trees.

Nagahama Castle and cherry blossoms.

Nagahama Castle

Water fountain and Nagahama Castle in spring.

Stone foundation of original Nagahama castle tower. It is just slightly behind the current castle building is this small hill with stone walls.

On the original site of the castle tower is a stone marker and statue of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

Stone marker and statue of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

Stone monument marking the site of the original Nagahama castle donjon.

Statue of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Nagahama Castle, Shiga. He renamed the town from Imahama to "Nagahama" after his boss and mentor Oda Nobunaga.

The old and new sites of the castle tower.

Lake Biwa shore near the castle tower.

Toward the lake shore next to Nagahama castle is this glass bench. It's a monument for Biwako Shuko no Uta (Lake Biwa Rowing Song) verse 3 where Nagahama is mentioned.

Built and unveiled on June 25, 2017 by a non-profit citizens group in Nagahama for the song's 100th anniversary. You can sit on Japan's most expensive public park bench.