Shiga travel
Hikone Castle
Hikone Castle · 彦根城
At Hikone Castle, explore the keep before walking through Genkyuen Garden. Across the pond, you can see the castle from outside after looking around its interior.
Visitor information
Admission
Individual castle and Genkyuen tickets are JPY 1,000 general or JPY 300 for primary and junior secondary students. Separate museum tickets are JPY 700 general or JPY 350 for primary and junior secondary students. Same-day castle, garden and museum combined tickets are JPY 1,500 general or JPY 550 for primary and junior secondary students. General-rate visits on different days total JPY 1,700. Garden-only admission is JPY 400 general or JPY 150 for primary and junior secondary students. These fees took effect on 1 October 2024.
Opening hours
Hikone Castle opens 8:30 am–5 pm; last castle and Genkyuen entry is 4:30 pm. Major buildings inside the castle close at 4:45 pm. The castle opens year-round; the Kaikoku Memorial Hall closes 25–31 December. See below for the castle museum's seasonal hours.
What to see at Hikone Castle
Inside the keep and views across the pond
Look around the keep, then continue to Genkyuen. Walk through the garden with views of the castle across the pond.
How to get to Hikone Castle
Leave JR Hikone Station through the west exit and walk towards the castle, about 15 minutes away. On arrival, use the on-site map to find your entrance and ticket office. Allow extra time for ticket queues and the climb to the keep.
Official museum guidance Hikone Castle visitor guidance Hikone Castle access
Before you visit
Steps up to the keep
The approach to the keep has steps and slopes, and the stairs inside are steep. Allow time for ticket queues and the climb as well as the station-to-castle walk.
The museum opens later than the castle
Effective October 2026, Hikone Castle Museum opens 9 am–5 pm from March to November, with last entry at 4:30 pm. December–February hours are 9 am–4:30 pm, with last entry at 4 pm. Closures and exhibition changeovers can affect visits and combined-ticket sales.
Questions about Hikone Castle
Which ticket should I buy to include Hikone Castle Museum?
A combined ticket covers the castle, Genkyuen and museum on the same day: JPY 1,500 general or JPY 550 for primary and junior secondary students. Separate days require separate tickets, totalling JPY 1,700 at general rates. Check visits and combined-ticket sales during museum closures or exhibition changeovers.
Official sources
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