Trip Moments Recommendations

Hikone Castle is designated as a national treasure of Japan and is one of the most famous castles in the world. It took about 20 years to build and was completed in the 8th year of Yuanhe (1622). The beautiful Hikone Castle under the moonlight is known as one of the eight scenic spots of Lake Biwa. This was once a "water castle" built adjacent to Lake Biwa and Neihu, and the moat was used as a waterway to transport supplies to the castle town. The place name of Funamachi, the remains of the wharf left by the moat, and the remains of houses of boatmen, etc., can give you a glimpse of the style of the time. Nowadays, there are still many yakata boats passing by, which is very lively, and the moat has become a part of the citizens' rest landscape.