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.

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.