Items | Shiga: Explore Hikone Castle and Savor Premium Omi Beef
Shiga: Explore Hikone Castle and Savor Premium Omi Beef
Hikone
Important Information
•
Public transportation options are available nearby
•
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
•
For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
•
Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
•
If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
•
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
•
Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Become our Lokal Curator
Are you ready to turn your hobbies into a business?
Discover Hikone Castle, a National Treasure perched above Lake Biwa, on an insightful tour led by a knowledgeable local guide. Explore the castle's impressive architecture and learn about its historical significance as a military and political stronghold during the Tokugawa shogunate. After your castle exploration, savor the exquisite taste of Omi beef, one of Japan's premier wagyu varieties, at a nearby restaurant steeped in local tradition. Whether you choose the shorter or extended tour, this journey offers a deep dive into the cultural legacy of the Ii family and the rich flavors of Shiga.
- Explore Hikone Castle's stunning architecture and rich history - Choose between a short or exten...
Highlights
3 hours
Offered in English
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
3 hours
Offered in English
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
What's Included
Guided tour of Hikone Castle
Visit to Genkyuen Garden (optional)
Matcha tea experience
Culinary experience of Omi beef
Transportation to and from the castle
Personal expenses
Gratuities
Meeting Points
Departure
Hikonekanko Center
Meeting point: In front of the Hikone Tourist Information Center.
The guide will be waiting for you with a yellow sign.
For details, please refer to the map.
Return
Yume Kyōbashi Castle Road
The ending point is located close to Hikone Castle and Hikone Station, offering excellent accessibility.
Itinerary
1
Hikone Castle
Hikone Castle is one of Japan’s best-preserved feudal castles and a designated National Treasure. Built after the fall of nearby Sawayama Castle, it became the seat of the Ii family, loyal vassals of the Tokugawa shogunate. Its main keep, believed to have been relocated from Otsu Castle, represents both military strength and aesthetic refinement. Visitors can explore the original defensive moats, gates, and turrets, and from the top floor of the keep, enjoy sweeping views of Lake Biwa and the Ōmi region. The castle embodies the political and cultural role of the Ii clan, who governed Hikone for over 250 years and contributed greatly to the stability of the Edo period.
2 hours
2
Hikone
Hikone is renowned not only for its castle but also for Omi beef, one of Japan’s “Three Great Wagyu.” With over 400 years of history, Omi beef is famous for its fine marbling, tenderness, and rich flavor, nurtured by the pure waters of Lake Biwa. In Hikone, you can savor this tradition through sukiyaki, shabu-shabu, or steak, often paired with local sake. More than just a meal, it is a cultural experience that reflects the prosperity and refinement of the Ōmi region.
Shiga: Explore Hikone Castle and Savor Premium Omi Beef
Hikone
About
Discover Hikone Castle, a National Treasure perched above Lake Biwa, on an insightful tour led by a knowledgeable local guide. Explore the castle's impressive architecture and learn about its historical significance as a military and political stronghold during the Tokugawa shogunate. After your castle exploration, savor the exquisite taste of Omi beef, one of Japan's premier wagyu varieties, at a nearby restaurant steeped in local tradition. Whether you choose the shorter or extended tour, this journey offers a deep dive into the cultural legacy of the Ii family and the rich flavors of Shiga.
- Explore Hikone Castle's stunning architecture and rich history - Choose between a short or exten...
Highlights
3 hours
Offered in English
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
3 hours
Offered in English
Free Cancellation
Mobile Ticket
What's Included
Guided tour of Hikone Castle
Visit to Genkyuen Garden (optional)
Matcha tea experience
Culinary experience of Omi beef
Transportation to and from the castle
Personal expenses
Gratuities
Meeting Points
Departure
Hikonekanko Center
Meeting point: In front of the Hikone Tourist Information Center.
The guide will be waiting for you with a yellow sign.
For details, please refer to the map.
Return
Yume Kyōbashi Castle Road
The ending point is located close to Hikone Castle and Hikone Station, offering excellent accessibility.