Travel in Shiga
Hikone Castle
Hikone Castle · 彦根城
At Hikone Castle, explore inside the keep, then walk through Genkyuen Garden. Across the pond, you can view the castle from outside after seeing its interior.
Visitor information
Admission
Individual Hikone Castle and Genkyuen Garden admission is ¥1,000 ordinary or ¥300 for elementary and junior high school students. A separate museum ticket is ¥700 ordinary or ¥350 for those students. The same-day castle, garden and museum ticket is ¥1,500 ordinary or ¥550 for those students. Ordinary admission on separate days totals ¥1,700. Garden-only admission is ¥400 ordinary or ¥150 for elementary and junior high school students. Prices are as of October 1, 2024.
Opening hours
Hikone Castle opens 08:30–17:00, with last entry to the castle and Genkyuen Garden at 16:30. The main castle buildings close at 16:45. The castle opens year-round; Kaikoku Memorial Hall closes December 25–31. See below for the castle museum's seasonal hours.
What to see at Hikone Castle
Inside the keep and castle views across the pond
Explore the keep's interior, then continue to Genkyuen Garden. 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 site map to find your entrance and ticket office. Allow extra time for ticket queues and the climb to the keep.
Official museum guide Hikone Castle visitor guide Hikone Castle access
Visiting tips
Stairs up to the keep
The route to the keep has steps and slopes, and the interior stairs are steep. Beyond the station-to-castle walk, allow time for ticket queues and the climb to the keep.
The museum opens later than the castle
From October 2026, Hikone Castle Museum opens 09:00–17:00 in March–November, with last entry at 16:30. In December–February it opens 09:00–16:30, with last entry at 16:00. Closures and exhibition changeovers may affect access and combined-ticket sales.
Questions about Hikone Castle
Which ticket includes Hikone Castle Museum?
A combined ticket covers the castle, Genkyuen Garden and museum on the same day: ¥1,500 for ordinary admission or ¥550 for elementary and junior high school students. On separate days, buy separate tickets; ordinary admission totals ¥1,700. Check access and combined-ticket sales during museum closures or exhibition changeovers.
Official sources
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- Hikone Castle access ·
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- Official museum guide ·
- Hikone Castle visitor guide ·
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