🗺️ Hikone Castle特別史跡彦根城跡

Hikone Castle, also known as Kinmune Castle, was constructed after Tokugawa Ieyasu's victory at the Battle of Sekigahara in 1600, which led to his ascension as shogun and the establishment of the Edo Shogunate in 1603. One of the Four Generals of Tokugawa, Ii Naomasa, was ordered by Ieyasu to begin the construction of Hikone Castle. After approximately 20 years of work starting in 1604, the castle was finally completed in 1622 by Naomasa's heir, Ii Naotaka. Hikone Castle is famous as an "eco-friendly castle," primarily using materials sourced from the dismantling of nearby castles. For example, it utilized timber and stone walls from the ruins of castles such as Sawayama Castle (Hikone City), Azuchi Castle (Omihachiman City), and Nagahama Castle (Nagahama City). The three-story, three-tiered tenshu (main keep) was relocated from Otsu Castle (Otsu City). The tenshu, standing on Hikone Mountain, is one of the "12 existing tenshu in Japan," and the castle's auxiliary structures, "Tsuzuki Yagura" and "Tamon Yagura," were designated as national treasures in 1952. Visitors can enter the tenshu, where the view of Lake Biwa from the top is spectacular, considered a breathtaking sight. Particularly, the scene of the tenshu illuminated by moonlight reflecting on Lake Biwa is listed as one of the "Eight Views of Lake Biwa." For those wishing to admire the picturesque Hikone Castle from the moat, a paid tour called "Hikone Castle Moat Cruise" is available. Guests can sit in a traditional boat modeled after those used by feudal lords in the past, enjoying the seasonal riverside scenery, including cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves in fall. Additionally, there are many attractions around Hikone Castle that can be visited. These include the nationally designated scenic spots "Rakurakuen" and "Genbuen," the "Umemuki House" where the 13th lord of Hikone, Ii Naosuke, spent his childhood, and the "Hikone Castle History Museum." The history museum showcases artifacts such as the vermilion armor and tea ceremony utensils used by the Ii family throughout their military campaigns.

In addition to the national treasure of the tenshu (main keep), there are many important cultural properties such as the tenshu turret architecture. It is a famous eco-friendly city, with most of the building materials sourced from some ruined castles like the Sawa Castle. The castle under the moonlight is beautiful and enchanting, and it is praised as one of the "Eight Views of Lake Biwa."