Nagahama Castle & Hokoen Park 長浜城・豊公園
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Nagahama Castle (reconstructed) is a lakeside castle within Hokoen Park near Nagahama Station. This is the entrance to the park. 豊公園 MAP
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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.
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The current castle tower was reconstructed in 1983. It serves as a local history museum.
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In April, numerous cherry trees around the castle in Hokoen Park bloom spectacularly. The best time to visit Nagahama Castle.
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Nagahama Castle, Shiga
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Cherry Blossom Plaque and Nagahama Castle Honmaru marker.
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Plaque proclaiming Hokoen Park as one of Japan's 100 Best Cherry Blossom Spots.
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Plaque proclaiming Hokoen Park as one of Japan's 100 Best Cherry Blossom Places.
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Side view of Nagahama Castle
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I visited the park in April 2009 in the early morning before the crowds arrived. It truly was a peaceful beauty.
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Cherry blossoms in full bloom and no people. How wonderful. Like it was all for me only, at 7 am.
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Way to Nagahama Castle's main tower (donjon).
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Steps to Nagahama Castle's main tower (donjon).
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Nagahama Castle is a local history museum.
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Nagahama Castle tower, local history museum.
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Nagahama Castle History Museum, open 9 am - 5 pm (enter by 4:30 pm). Closed during the year end and New Year's period.
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Castle wall foundation rocks.
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Entrance to Nagahama Castle History Museum. Small admission charged.
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Inside Nagahama Castle, a local history museum.
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Model of castle construction.
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Old map of Nagahama Castle. There were many moats and canals.
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Top floor of castle.
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View of cherry blossoms from Nagahama Castle's lookout deck.
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Panorama from the top of Nagahama Castle, looking south.
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Panorama from the top of Nagahama Castle, looking west toward Lake Biwa.
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Panorama from the top of Nagahama Castle, looking north and west.
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In winter.
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In spring.
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In summer.
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In summer.
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In summer from Nagahama Castle.
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Lake Biwa and cherry blossoms as seen from Nagahama Castle.
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Mt. Yamamoto-yama as seen from Nagahama Castle.
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On the balcony, with Mt. Ibuki in the distance in winter.
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Back on the ground heading toward another bunch of cherry trees.
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Nagahama Castle and cherry blossoms.
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Nagahama Castle
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Water fountain and Nagahama Castle in spring.
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Stone foundation of original Nagahama castle tower. It is just slightly behind the current castle building is this small hill with stone walls.
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On the original site of the castle tower is a stone marker and statue of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
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Stone marker and statue of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
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Stone monument marking the site of the original Nagahama castle donjon.
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Statue of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Nagahama Castle, Shiga. He renamed the town from Imahama to "Nagahama" after his boss and mentor Oda Nobunaga.
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The old and new sites of the castle tower.
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Lake Biwa shore near the castle tower.
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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.
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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.
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The verse 3 lyrics are engraved on the middle of the glass bench.
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The glass bench is shaped like a boat with a few ripples. Made in Nagahama.
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Nagahama Castle as seen from Lake Biwa.
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Nagahama Castle in summer.
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Lake Biwa shore near Nagahama Castle.
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Shoreline near Nagahama Castle.
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Shoreline of Hokoen Park facing Lake Biwa.
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Athletic field in Hokoen Park. You can see the castle tower in the distance toward the right among the trees.
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Water fountain
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Marker indicating the location of Nagahama Castle's stone wall.
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Stone marker in central Nagahama marking the location of the castle's Sotobori outer moat.
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Stone marker near Otabisho marking the location of the castle's Otemon Gate.
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Another moat still exists here (red dot).
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Nagahama Castle's Sotobori outer moat still here.
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Nagahama Castle's Sotobori outer moat
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Nagahama Castle's Sotobori outer moat
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Sake from Shiga (Omi)
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Beer place next to the outer moat.
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Narita Art Museum
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Hokoen Park also has a good-size grove of plum blossoms which bloom in March.
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Nagahama Castle and plum blossoms.
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The plum blossoms are mainly red and white.
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Plum tree and Nagahama Castle.
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Plum blossoms and Nagahama Castle.
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Plum tree grove called "bairin."
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Plum blossoms, Hokoen Park, Nagahama, Shiga
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