expedia
Skip to Main Content.
List your propertySupportTrips
Communication Center icon
Unlock instant savings with Member Prices
Sign in
Learn more
Feedback
One Key

Earn OneKeyCash when you sign in and book an activity

Sign in

Shiga: Explore Hikone Castle and Savor Premium Omi Beef

By DeepExperience
Free cancellation available
The previous price was $357 and current price is $250 per adult* *Get a lower price by selecting multiple adult tickets
See tickets
Features
  • Free cancellation available
  • 3h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation
Overview

Discover Hikone Castle, a National Treasure perched above Lake Biwa, on an insightful tour led by a knowledgeable local guide. Explore the castle's impressive architecture and learn about its historical significance as a military and political stronghold during the Tokugawa shogunate. After your castle exploration, savor the exquisite taste of Omi beef, one of Japan's premier wagyu varieties, at a nearby restaurant steeped in local tradition. Whether you choose the shorter or extended tour, this journey offers a deep dive into the cultural legacy of the Ii family and the rich flavors of Shiga.

  • Explore Hikone Castle's stunning architecture and rich history
  • Choose between a short or extended tour for varying depths of exploration
  • Enjoy a culinary experience featuring renowned Omi beef in an Edo-style setting
  • Gain insights from a local expert about the castle's significance and the Ii clan's influence

Activity location

  • Hikone Castle
    • 1-1 Konkicho,
    • 522-0061, Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, Japan

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • Hikonekanko Center
    • 51 1
    • 522-0001, Hikone, Shiga, Japan

Check availability

Hikone Castle Only
  • Activity duration is 3 hours3h
    3h
  • English

Hikone Castle Only

Language options: English
Price details
$356.91
$249.84 x 1 Adult$249.84
Total
The previous price was $356.91 and current price is $249.84
30% off
Until Fri, Nov 7
Hikone Castle + Garden
  • Activity duration is 3 hours3h
    3h
  • English

Hikone Castle + Garden

Language options: English
Price details
$493.19
$345.23 x 1 Adult$345.23
Total
The previous price was $493.19 and current price is $345.23
30% off
Until Fri, Nov 7

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's included
    Guided tour of Hikone Castle
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Visit to Genkyuen Garden (optional)
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Matcha tea experience
  • What's includedWhat's included
    Culinary experience of Omi beef
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Transportation to and from the castle
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Personal expenses
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Gratuities

Know before you book

  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

Activity itinerary

Hikone Castle
  • 2h
  • Admission ticket included
Hikone Castle is one of Japan’s best-preserved feudal castles and a designated National Treasure. Built after the fall of nearby Sawayama Castle, it became the seat of the Ii family, loyal vassals of the Tokugawa shogunate. Its main keep, believed to have been relocated from Otsu Castle, represents both military strength and aesthetic refinement. Visitors can explore the original defensive moats, gates, and turrets, and from the top floor of the keep, enjoy sweeping views of Lake Biwa and the Ōmi region. The castle embodies the political and cultural role of the Ii clan, who governed Hikone for over 250 years and contributed greatly to the stability of the Edo period.
Hikone
  • 1h
Hikone is renowned not only for its castle but also for Omi beef, one of Japan’s “Three Great Wagyu.” With over 400 years of history, Omi beef is famous for its fine marbling, tenderness, and rich flavor, nurtured by the pure waters of Lake Biwa. In Hikone, you can savor this tradition through sukiyaki, shabu-shabu, or steak, often paired with local sake. More than just a meal, it is a cultural experience that reflects the prosperity and refinement of the Ōmi region.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    Hikone Castle
    • 1-1 Konkicho,
    • 522-0061, Hikone, Shiga Prefecture, Japan

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    Hikonekanko Center
    • 51 1
    • 522-0001, Hikone, Shiga, Japan

Best Deals on Things to Do

Experience the wonders of the world up close with great deals on things to do near and far. Expedia offers one-of-a-kind activities that allow you to explore Hikone your way. Whether you love nature, culture, food, or a bit of adventure, we have the perfect activity for you.

Top Experiences in Hikone

With so many things to do in Hikone, planning the perfect day out may seem like a daunting task. Expedia is here to take the hassle out of finding the best attractions, tours, and activities in Hikone. Families, couples, and business travelers can all find the perfect activity in Hikone to create life-long memories with the help of Expedia.