National Treasure Hikone Castle & Oda Nobunaga's Ambition "Ruins of Azuchi Castle" Tour
Joined 2019
Hikone Castle is a valuable castle that retains its original appearance from the Edo period, including the national treasure keep and four turrets and stables designated as important cultural assets. Why not visit this famous castle, which has been carved out of time over the past 400 years, while also enjoying the view of Lake Biwa?
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
At JR Hikone Station or designated place in Gifu, Aichi or Shiga
- If you have a preferred location, please discuss it at the time of booking.
Hikone Castle
A tour of the National Treasures and Important Cultural Properties, including the Tenbin Yagura (an Important Cultural Property), the castle tower, the Nishi-no-Maru (west wing) and the Taiko Yagura (drum tower), with detailed explanations.
Genkyuen Garden, Rakurakuen Garden
After Hikone Castle, you can also visit Genkyu-en (Genkyu Rakuraku Garden), which faces the inner moat. This is where the daimyo's garden with a pond and circular garden was built by Ii Naoki, who was the head of Hikone Castle, half a century after the completion of the castle. On a clear, windless day, you may be able to see the reflection of Hikone Castle's keep in the surface of the pond.
Lunch
Near Hikone castle area
Azuchi Castle Museum
The Castle Museum is a castle-like building in the south square of JR Azuchi Station. The museum houses a replica of Azuchi Castle, built by Oda Nobunaga, one-twentieth the size of the actual castle. Azuchi Castle was a grand and splendid castle with gilt tiles, five storeys on the exterior and seven storeys on the interior, and the interior was decorated with sliding door paintings by Kano Hyoutoku and furnishings from foreign cultures. Azuchi Castle is said to be the first castle to have a full-fledged tenshukaku (main building). It was introduced throughout Europe by the foreign teacher Luis Frois (1532-1597) in a letter he sent home. Its tenshukaku has been faithfully reproduced down to the smallest detail, and is a reminder of what Azuchi Castle looked like.
Ruins of Azuchi Castle
Ruins of the castle of Oda Nobunaga (1534-82), located in the area of Mount Azuchi, 198 m above sea level, north-east of JR Azuchi Station. It is a nationally designated Special Historic Site. It took Oda Nobunaga about three years from Tensho 4 (1576) to complete. The castle was built at the start of the Azuchi-Momoyama period, but after the Honnoji Incident in which Oda Nobunaga fell, it was burnt down and only the stone walls remain. A moat runs along the south side of Mt Azuchi, retaining vestiges of the old days. Cornerstones can be seen at the ruins of the Tenshukaku and Honmaru, while the mausoleum of Oda Nobunaga, built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, can be seen at the Ninomaru ruins. There is also a magnificent stone wall near the Kuroganemon-ato (Gate of Black Gold), a short distance down to the east from the Tenshukaku ruins. There are also the ruins of the vassal residences halfway up the mountain, and if you follow the mountain ridge to the north, you will find Hakkakudaira and Yakushidaira. Passages to the centre of the castle mountain include the Ote-michi road entering from the south front, as well as the Dongmon-do road, the Hyakunabashiguchi road and the Lente-do road.
Ruins of Azuchi Castle, entrance/exit at the foot of the mountain.
JR Azuchi station Dismissal or drop-off at a location of your choice
Please contact me in advance for your chosen location.
Ending Point
At JR Azuchi Station
Want to personalize this tour?
This tour can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Click below to send me a message with your requests.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Guide fee
Any Admission fee
Lunch and drink fee
*Some restaurants do not accept credit cards,
It is recommended to have cash ready in advance.
Estimated cost of lunch (Approx. USD 10-20 per person, for Guest and Guide)
*Taxi fee : Approx. USD 60-70 per car
Tour Important Information
* This tour involves a lot of walking, so make sure to wear comfortable shoes.
* This tour is not recommended for those with severe back/knee problems.
* This tour is wheelchair not accessible.
* Please let me know in advance if you have any food allergies or other dietary restrictions.
*Admission fee
Hikone Castle (including Genkyu-en)
Adults : JPY1,000.-
Elementary and junior high school students JPY300.-
Hikone Castle Museum
Adults : JPY700.-
Elementary and junior high school students JPY350.-
Azuchi Castle Museum
Adults : JPY200.-
Students: JPY150.-
Children: JPY100.-
Infants (under primary school age): JPY0.-
Ruins of Azuchi Castle
Adults : JPY700.-
Children : JPY200.- (under high school age)
No group discounts or discounts for the disabled or others.
A separate fee of 500 yen is required for special visits to Soumi-ji Temple (irregular) (with green tea and sweets).
Matcha green tea and sweets included).
Important message from the supplier
Hi. I'm a member of The Japanese ancient castle study group of Tokai in Nagoya.
I'm traveling a lot in Japanese castle, garden, temple, shrine and nice feeling spot so far.
If you do not see the tour you are looking for or want to add or subtract something, let me know what you want to do and where you go soon!
Very welcome in always!
Cancellation Policy
- Free cancellation - 8 days prior to meeting time
- 50% Refund - 3 to 7 days prior to meeting time
- No Refund - Within 2 day(s) prior to meeting time
Joined 2019
About Tour Guide Koki N.
Hello!
My name is Koki.
I'm English speakinig tour guide living in Gifu city.
I already visited more than 60 nations so far.
I can speak some Manderin & Cantonese too.
Let's enjoy real Japanese culture & history with me.
I would enjoy with you real Samurai history, Kimono culture, local traditional festival, temple,shrine,Japanese tea ceremony, food and Sake.
If you would like to more understand Japanese castle,
I can attend you and teach you about how appreciation point of Japanese castle and garden with beautiful meal and sweets.
Let's travel with me!
Reviews
“Kyoto with Koki”
Kyoto with Koki was a rewarding experience. He explained what we were going to see and how we were going to get there.Buses ,train and subway.He took us to many temples ,shrines and japanese gardens and gave us a brief knowledge of what we we had come to see with little extras along the way.we had lunch a traditional japanese restaurant and he explained what we were eating which made the experience more enjoyable. If you book Koki as your guide you will not be disappointed,he can tailor it to your needs. We wish to thank him again for a memorable day in kyoto we will never forget.
Koki N.
Hi Andrew Thank you very much for taking part in my tour today. I am very grateful for your kind words of praise. Today's tour was a bit rushed, but I hope I was able to show you some of Kyoto's wonderful places. Kyoto is a place where you can enjoy different aspects of spring, summer, autumn and winter. I hope you will have the opportunity to visit us in the cherry blossom season. Looking forward to seeing you again in the near future. Thanks & Regards Koki
Chris J.
One day customized tour in Kyoto for Chris's Family
Customized
“Great guide”
Thanks Koki for a great day
Koki N.
Thanks a lot! Koki
“Expert local knowledge and thoughtful planning”
Mr Koki did an outstanding job planning out one-day tour at Kyoto with key sights per my request, not only the sequence of location, but also the time spent at each site and the efficient logistics traveling from one site to another. We were very impressed with his in-depth knowledge and story-telling about the historical and cultural background of those famous sites at Kyoto as well as the local traditions. He also introduced us to the delicious local food and drinks. It was definitely the highlight of our Japan trip.
Koki N.
Hi Yunshu Thank you very much for your very excellent feedback and evaluation. It was a day trip from Tokyo, so the itinerary was a bit hectic, I was able to show you the points you wanted to see without any problems. I was very surprised at you and Cary deep knowledge of history. I hope you will continue to deepen you and his love of history. I'm look forward to seeing you again in Kyoto or somewhere else in Japan in the near future. Next time. Please stay in Kyoto for a few days and enjoy in all seasons. Thank you very much. Koki
$255/ per group
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