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
Bernard B.
“Valuable Guide in Kyoto”
Kazuhiko is a very kind man who was a valuable guide in Kyoto. Since we arrived via cruise ship, we were relieved that he could meet us at the Osaka cruise port, and then brought us to Kyoto by train. He had a lot of printed material at the sites explaining what we were seeing. His English comprehension and written English were very, very good. And although he speaks with a Japanese accent, we were able to understand him. Communication was excellent before our tour, with quick responses to our questions and requests, and he tried his best to accommodate them all in the tour. Alas, we were a bit too ambitious in our goals, and Kyoto was insanely crowded, which made it too difficult. Not to mention the many steps at the shrines and temples, which a few in our party had a problem with after a while. The only problem we encountered is that we were a party of four, which made 5 with Kazuhiko-san. To make the most of our time, we agreed to take taxis from one stop to the other. Almost all taxis could only take 4 passengers, so it meant either waiting a long time for an Uber Taxi that could handle 5 passengers, or having to take 2 taxis. So we had to either sacrifice money or time. In our time in Japan, Kyoto was definitely the most expensive place (by far) in terms of taxis, drinks, food, etc. But it was still a great day immersing ourselves in the culture of the city.
Kazuhiko G.
Thank you for the great review. I apologize for making you walk so much; I imagine the slope were quite challenging. I'm also sorry for not providing enough time for lunch. Regarding the taxi situation, it took longer to arrange a large taxi due to the student school trip season. I had a wonderful time, and I hope this tour becomes a cherished memory of your time in Japan. Thank you!!
Agus J.
“Very prepared and well organized ”
There are 8 of us for an 8 hour tour of Nara and Osaka. Kazuhiko met us at the Tempozan Osaka cruise terminal and we all enjoyed our guided tour with Kazuhiko. He was very well informed and knew his way thru the tricky railway and bus systems. Nara was beautiful, Toudaiji temple was breathtaking and Kasuga shrine was magical and of course Osaka Dotombori district was a nice way to end the day. A definite 5 out of 5 and we will definitely calm upon Kazuhiko on our next trip to Osaka again.
Kazuhiko G.
Hello, Thank you for the nice review. I apologize for making you walk so much. Did you get over the fatigue? I went to Nara today again on another tour and it reminded me of my tour with your group. I also enjoyed the tour with your group. I hope your tour will be a memorable one. And, I hope you will come back to Japan again soon. Thank you !!
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!!
$139/ per group
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