Type: Hill Top
Built in: 1622 by Ii Naotsugu
Class: One of 12 existed Castle and the National Treasure of Japan

Hikone Castle is originally stood on Mt. Sawa about 2 km to the northeast. Ishida Mitsunari, the lord of the castle, was defeated at the battle of Sekigahara and forfeited the castle in 1600. Ii Naomasa, a victor at that battle and one of the four most distinguished generals of the Tokugawa Allied Forces, was awarded the castle.

Naomasa left Takasaki castle in Kozuke and moved into Sawayama Castle the following year. Later that year he attemplted to moved the castle to Iso mountain, about 3km north of here. However, he died in 1602 without realizing his dream. His son Naotsugu changed his father's plan and with the permission of Tokugawa Ieyasu, began to construct the castle on this spot. Even thought Naotsugu received the cooperation of the Tokugawa Government and his fellow lords, the project took 20 years to complete.

The main tower has been designated Important Cultural Assets. The grounds have been designated a Special Place of Historical Interests.

The beauty of Hikone Castle in the moonlight is well-known as one of the eight seenic beauties of Lake Biaw.

Tensyu
Three-story main castle tower. Though comparatively small in scale, the structure demonstrates the superior design required of a castle during periods of war. With its artistic arrangement of different roof styles, "Kirizuma-Hafu," "Irimoya-Hafu,""Kara-Hafu," elaborately designed winders, "Katomado" on the second and the third floors, and the balustrades or railings that surround the verandas on third floor of the external appearance is spectacular. It is said to have originally the main tower of Otsu Castle which was moved and reconstructed.

Tsukimi Yagura
... was a two-storied tower called Tsukimi-yagura, keep, with the dimensions of 9.8m x 10.6m. It was used to watch the gates of the castle, such as Sawaguchi gate and Kyobashiguchi gate stretch below, for any visitors beside that it has a distant view of Kiritoshido which is the way, branch away from Nakasendo was and over Mt. Sawa, and the entrance to the castle. It was pulled down in 1868. Now it is the observatory, people enjoy beautiful views from here.

Nishinomaru Sanjyu Yagura
... is on the westnorth corner of Hisnihomaru which is next to Honmaru quarter. It has the turrets shaped an angle of obtuse on the east side and the north side each. Though this turret does not have decorative gables, whole of the building is plastered and simple grace.