Which Shiga attractions would you like to see?
Choose Hikone for the keep and garden, or Ishiyamadera for temple grounds. Visit Hachimanbori for canal-side historic streets, or the museum for Lake Biwa fish and lakeside life. Temple buses leave from Ishiyama; museum buses from Kusatsu. Check each museum’s official calendar for your date.
Attraction admission, hours and access
Hikone Castle
彦根城
Explore the keep and walk through Genkyuen, looking towards the castle across the pond. The approach and keep interior have steep stairs. Castle/Genkyuen and museum tickets have different fees, so decide what you want to see before checking admission below.
- AdmissionCastle and Genkyuen admission costs JPY 1,000 for general visitors or JPY 300 for primary and junior high school pupils. A same-day combination ticket with the museum costs JPY 1,500 for general visitors or JPY 550 for school pupils. Visiting the museum on another day requires a separate JPY 700 general ticket, making JPY 1,700 for both.
- Opening hoursThe castle opens from 08:30 to 17:00, with last admission at 16:30. Combination tickets may be unavailable during museum closures or exhibition changes.
- The museum has separate hoursFrom October 2026, the museum opens from 09:00 to 17:00 in March–November, with last admission at 16:30. In December–February, it opens from 09:00 to 16:30, with last admission at 16:00. The castle’s 08:30 opening does not apply to the museum. The official museum guide was checked on 2026-10-09.
- Getting thereThe official walk from JR Hikone Station to the castle takes about 15 minutes. Leave by the west exit and check the local map for the entrance and ticket desk. Admission queues and the climb to the keep take extra time; the approach has stairs and slopes.
- Additional visiting conditionsThe castle’s opening time does not apply to the museum. Museum closures and exhibition changes can affect access and combination ticket sales.
Official museum guideHikone Castle visitor guideHikone Castle access
Ishiyamadera
Ishiyamadera Temple石山寺
Explore Ishiyamadera, traditionally associated with Murasaki Shikibu and The Tale of Genji. See its national-treasure main hall and tahoto pagoda alongside large rocks in the grounds. The main hall’s inner area requires admission beyond general entry and may close during religious services.
- AdmissionGeneral entry costs JPY 600 for adults, JPY 350 for junior and senior high school students or JPY 250 for primary school pupils. General inner-hall admission costs an extra JPY 500 and Hojoden admission an extra JPY 300; seasonal combinations are also available.
- Opening hoursThe temple opens from 08:00 to 16:30, with last entry at 16:00. The inner hall opens from 09:00 to 16:00, subject to religious-service restrictions and closure days.
- Getting thereFrom JR Ishiyama stand 1, take Kojaku Bus Route 1, 4, 14, 52, 54 or 55 to Ishiyamadera Sanmon-mae. The ride takes about ten minutes and adult fare is JPY 250 one way. Return on an Ishiyama Station-bound bus from Sanmon-mae stop 2. Keihan Ishiyamadera Station is about ten minutes away on foot.
- Additional visiting conditionsCheck the Ishiyama Station-bound return at Sanmon-mae stop 2; it differs from Otsu-bound services. Check inner-hall closures during religious services too.
Current fees and exceptionsOfficial bus guideKojaku Bus fare table revised on 1 March 2026Sanmon-mae stop 2 timetable towards Ishiyama StationWalk from the station
Hachimanbori
Hachiman-bori Canal八幡堀
Follow the canal past warehouses, historic white-walled houses and stone-paved paths. Walk through the streets or choose a boat for views from the water. For a boat, check the operator’s landing point, operating times and fares separately.
- AdmissionAdult station–Hachimanbori return buses cost JPY 520. Boats and paid facilities cost extra; the basic walking course excludes boat tickets. Check each operator’s boarding point, fare and times if interested.
- Opening hoursThe canal walking area has no regular closure day, but shops and boats have individual operating days and hours.
- Getting thereTake the appropriate bus from Omihachiman’s north exit to Hachimanbori (Osugicho) Hachimanyama Ropeway-guchi. Walk from the stop to the nearby canal and historic streets. Boat landing points are separate from this walking guidance. The operator’s roughly seven-minute station–stop ride excludes waiting, walking and meals.
- Additional visiting conditionsCheck canal-bound and station-bound buses for your date. For boats, check the operator’s landing point, operating days, fares and reservation conditions separately.
Hachimanbori bus fares and return timetablesHachimanbori access
Lake Biwa Museum
滋賀県立琵琶湖博物館
Visit the museum to see fish living in Lake Biwa (琵琶湖) and learn about life around the lake. Explore freshwater tanks and exhibitions on daily life and history. Permanent and special exhibitions have separate admission. Check bus return journeys from Kusatsu and museum closures.
- AdmissionPermanent exhibitions cost JPY 840 for general visitors or JPY 470 for university students. Senior high school students and visitors under 18 enter free. General admission to special exhibitions costs an extra JPY 340.
- Opening hoursThe museum opens from 09:30 to 17:00, with last admission at 16:00. It closes on Mondays except public holidays. Check the calendar for temporary closures.
- Getting thereTake an Ohmi bus to the museum from JR Kusatsu west-exit stand 2 and alight after roughly 25 minutes, then walk into the museum. Adult bus fare is JPY 480 each way or JPY 960 return, separate from admission. Check outward and return services together for your date.
- Additional visiting conditionsCheck Monday public-holiday openings and temporary closures in your date’s calendar. Permanent exhibition admission, special exhibition admission and return bus fares are separate charges.
Official Ohmi Bus guideLake Biwa Museum admissionLake Biwa Museum opening calendarMuseum accessOutward journeyReturn journey
Frequently asked questions
Which ticket should I buy to include Hikone Castle Museum?
Choose JPY 1,000 general admission for the castle and Genkyuen only. The same-day combination with the museum costs JPY 1,500. On separate days, castle/Genkyuen JPY 1,000 plus museum JPY 700 totals JPY 1,700. Check museum access and combination ticket availability during closures or exhibition changes.
Does the Lake Biwa Museum open on Mondays?
It usually closes on Mondays but opens on public holidays. Check the official calendar for your date, including temporary closures.
Do I need a boat ticket to walk around Hachimanbori?
No boat ticket is needed for walking. Only check boat landing points, times, fares and reservations if you want to take one. The JPY 520 station–canal return bus fare excludes boats.
Hachimanbori accessHachimanbori bus fares and return timetables
Official sources and confirmation dates
- Museum access ·
- Hachimanbori access ·
- Hikone Castle access ·
- Kojaku Bus fare table revised on 1 March 2026 ·
- Sanmon-mae stop 2 timetable towards Ishiyama Station ·
- Hachimanbori bus fares and return timetables ·
- Hikone Castle visitor guide ·
- Official museum guide ·
- Current fees and exceptions ·
- Official bus guide ·
- Walk from the station ·
- Official Ohmi Bus guide ·
- Lake Biwa Museum admission ·
- Lake Biwa Museum opening calendar ·
- Outward journey ·
- Return journey ·