Tour to the National Treasure Hikone Castle from Kyoto
Joined 2014
Hikone City is only an hour away from Kyoto by train and faces the largest lake in Japan.
Hikone Castle, a national treasure, and its castle town are located there.
There are also some old temples and shrines nearby.
You feel like you have slipped back into the Edo Period ( about 200~400 years ago).
This is a half-day tour where you can learn about Japan's medieval period.
Itinerary
This itinerary can be customized to meet your needs and preferences. Send me a message with your requests!
Meeting Point
JR Hikone Station or Kyoto city or Osaka city
Hikone Castle tower (A National Treasure), Genkyu-en Garden
Hikone Castle was built in the Edo period (1603-1867) as an important base for the Tokugawa Shogunate along with Nijo Castle and Himeji Castle in Kyoto. The castle is surrounded by turrets, stone walls, and moats, including the castle tower, which is a national treasure. From the top floor of the castle tower, we can see Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan. There is also a beautiful garden inside the castle complex called "Genkyu-en" Garden, from which the castle tower can be seen, making it an excellent photo spot.
Castle Town
The castle town of Hikone Castle was fortunately spared from war damage, and the old townscape remains. In this area, a watchhouse to watch against enemy invasion and old temples still remain, giving visitors a glimpse of the medieval townscape in Japan.
Lunch
The area called "Hikone Castle Road" is a recreation of Hikone Castle Town with souvenir shops and restaurants. One of the most famous meals in this area is a meat dish using Omi beef, which is as famous as Kobe beef. Omi beef is a specialty that was presented to the Tokugawa shoguns during the Edo period (1603-1867)
Ending Point
JR Hikone Station or Kyoto city or Osaka city
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
Tour guide fee
・Transportation fee (Kyoto→Hikone : 1,170 yen)
・Entrance fee （Hikone Castle : 800 yen, Hikone Castle ＋Genkyu-en Garden : 1,200 yen)
・Lunch fee
Tour Important Information
＊There are many beautiful temples and shrine near Hikone castle.
You can also visit there.
＊You will find following items.
・Architecture Style of Japanese Castle
・Japanese garden style
・Samurai's life
I will suit it to a guide starting time that is convenient for you.
Important message from the supplier
Please feel free to contact me!!
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 2014
About Tour Guide Kazuhiko G.
Hello, I’m Kazuhiko. Please call me “Kazu”. I'm a national-licensed tour guide. I have a wife and 4 children.
I was born in Osaka city near Kyoto, although I have lived in many places across Japan. I used to work for multinational electric company and I traveled to many countries (U.S., Thailand, Hong Kong etc.) on business.
I have enjoyed guiding many foreign tourists in Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hiroshima, Tokyo, Mt. Fuji etc. for many years.
During your tour, you can discover a rich Japanese history spanning about 2,000 years, learn about and experience profound Japanese arts (tea ceremony, flower arrangement etc.), feel the spiritual atmosphere of Buddhist temples or Shinto shrines, see a breathtakingly beautiful scenery of Mt. Fuji, bamboo forest, Japanese gardens etc..
Moreover, you can taste Japanese cuisine that each season has to offer (Sushi, Tempura, Soba or ramen noodle etc.).
You can get close to nature and feed wild deer or monkeys or even a build snowman in winter.
I’m sure that I can provide a splendid tour of Japan that will be a lasting memory for you to treasure.
Experience the mysteries of Japan with 5 senses !!
Your memorable tour awaits you.
Please feel free to contact me!!
Reviews
Don M.
“Fantastic Day in Nara”
Kazu was a great guide. He took his time and showed us some really hidden sites in Nara. Of course we hit the main attractions, but he also took us to this small serene garden that was just so peaceful. I would highly recommend him for any tour.
Kazuhiko G.
Thank you for your wonderful review. I also had a great time. I'm sorry I made you walk so much. I hope this tour will be a memorable one for you. Thank you!!
Ching ching O.
“Beautiful Kyoto”
Goto-san is very organized and leading a group of 13 people is no easy task. He is flexible and knowing that we are tired from walking for the past few days, he is flexible to accomodate our last minute change in itinerary. He has come prepared with illustrations on the places of interests and explanations in English. He took the trouble to book the restaurant for us by going there himself to ensure the booking is confirmed. He is very familiar with the route and knows very well on what buses or trains to take to avoid the crowd during this Cherry blossom season.
Kazuhiko G.
Thank you for the wonderful review. I also had a great time. I'm sorry that I made you a walk a lot in the busy cherry blossom season. Have you recovered from your fatigue? I hope this tour will be a memorable tour for everyone. Thank you!!
Ted C.
“Interesting sights.”
Nice gentleman and very accommodating, however, his English was hard to understand.
Kazuhiko G.
Thanks for the review. I apologize for making you walk a lot. I hope this tour was a memorable one for you. Thank you!!
$141/ per group
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