Things to do in Hikone

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Shiga Prefecture

Lake Biwa

Lake Biwa is the largest inland lake in Japan, with an area of 674 square kilometers, equivalent to one-sixth of the total area of Shiga Prefecture. With the lake as the center, Lake Yuwu, Mt. Ibuki, Mt. Hira, Mt. Hiei, etc. together form Lake Biwa Quasi-National Park. Among them, the "Eight Views of Omi River" are similar to the "Eight Views of Xiaoxiang" of Dongting Lake in China.

No. 3 of Fall Viewing Attractions in Shiga Prefecture

Hikone Castle

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.

Taga Taisha

As the god of longevity and bond, Taga Taisha has been revered by believers all over Japan since ancient times. It is loved by the name of "Gotaga God", and there are many gift shops and so on on both sides of the pilgrimage route from the Otorii gate in front of the station to the shrine. In addition, there are weeping cherry blossoms in spring and autumn leaves at Oshoin in autumn. The scenery is fascinating. There are also famous places such as Hikone Castle, Koto Sanzan, and Lake Biwa. About 1.7 million visitors a year.

Rosa & Berry Tawada

Kurokabe Square

Kurokabe Square is a district in Nagahama, transformed from former merchant houses and warehouses. Because the building walls are mostly black, it earned the nickname "Kurokabe Square". Kurokabe Square is filled with shops selling local specialties, handicrafts, and food, making it a great place to spend some time.

The old halls of Toyosato Elementary School

This elementary school is located in Toyosato, has a clean and tidy environment, and is a filming location for a well-known TV series.

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Universal Studios Japan

Here you'll find not only heart-pounding attractions themed around Hollywood blockbuster movies, but also live shows featuring popular cartoon characters—fun for everyone from kids to adults! This is home to the world's first Nintendo theme park, where you can immerse yourself in the world of Super Mario! Here we have holiday-exclusive parades and float tours! Everyone here is the star—join the passionate parade, ignite your excitement together, and feel full of energy! Located in OsakaUniversal Studios Japan("Universal Studios Japan") is one of the Universal Studios theme parks. It opened in 2001 and is a classic and wonderful world of fun in the hearts of many visitors. Its design is similar to Universal Studios Orlando in the United States, and it features popular areas such as "Jurassic Park," "Hollywood," and "Waterworld." With more than 60 fun attractions, you can keep playing and exploring all day long. Universal Studios JapanThere are also much-loved themed IP areas such as "Super Nintendo World (Mario/Super Mario)", "Minions", and "The Wizarding World of Harry Potter". Whether you're having fun interacting with the Minions, racing through the Mario Kart adventure, or weaving through the magical world of Hogwarts, these are all wonderfully unforgettable experiences. △The Nintendo area is a collaboration between Nintendo andUniversal Studios JapanThe world's first Nintendo theme park, jointly built, features the globally popular Super Mario as its main character. It offers a 1:1 ultra-realistic recreation of Bowser's Castle, Princess Peach's Castle, and the Mushroom Kingdom from the game, allowing you to immerse yourself in the world of Super Mario! △"Despicable Me Minion Mayhem" and "Freeze Ray Sliders" pull you into the Minions' gigantic chaos and whip up a heatwave! A huge swarm of Minions is running wild and turning everything upside down in every street, alley, and corner! In the joyful and boisterous Minion Park, every visitor can't help but join in the mischievous mayhem! △Welcome to the magnificent area—The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, which faithfully recreates the world of the Harry Potter™ stories with overwhelming scale and meticulous attention to every detail. The towering Hogwarts™ castle stands tall, and in front of it lies the vast Hogsmeade™ where wizards live, along with many ride attractions and various shops. Here, you can step into "that world" from the films, as if everything is happening right before your eyes.

Genkyuen Garden

Genguen is a garden under the Hikone Castle. It was established in 1677 by Ii Naoki, the fourth lord of Hikone. The garden is drawn from Lake Biwa, and it is a migratory Japanese garden. Xuangong Garden imitated the Eight Views of Xiaoxiang in China, and produced Eight Views of Omijiang, including Linchi Pavilion, Fengxiang Terrace, and Bajing Pavilion. The highlight is sitting by the pond in the park, and you can enjoy the beautiful view of the pond reflecting the castle tower.

Hō Park

Feng Park was built in Meiji 42 (1909) on the ruins of Nagahama Castle, which was abandoned in the early Edo period. In spring, about 800 cherry blossoms are in full bloom, making it a popular cherry blossom viewing spot for tourists.

Roadside Station Seseragi-no-sato Kora