Stroll Through a Grand Daimyo Garden Overlooking the Castle Keep Across the Pond. A Perfect Photo Spot
About this spot
A pond-strolling-style grand garden said to have been built during the time of Ii Naaoki, the fourth domain lord of Hikone, and jointly designated as a national scenic spot along with the adjacent Rakurakuen (楽々園). Following the garden path around the large pond, where bridges, earthen hills, and tea houses are arranged, the scenery transforms with each step. The view of Hikone Castle's keep across the pond, towering above the stone walls, is as picturesque as a postcard. It is the perfect photo spot on this course where you can capture both the keep and gardens in a single photograph. The garden path is mostly level and takes about 30 minutes to complete, making it ideal as a rest stop for the older generation after tackling the keep's stone stairs. The changing seasonal scenery adds color to three generations' commemorative photos.
Tips
Just a few minutes' walk along the inner moat of Hikone Castle. Don't forget to bring the ticket stub, as the admission ticket (general admission ¥800) includes entry to Genkyuen. The garden has many gravel paths making baby carriages somewhat difficult to push, so a baby sling is safer for small children. The garden path on the north side of the pond offers the classic view of the keep—the ideal photo spot.
Best time to visit
Allow approximately 1 hour. During daylight hours, the castle keep is beautifully reflected in the pond, making it optimal for commemorative photos.
Access & map
〒522-0061 Shiga Prefecture Hikone City Kanekumicho 3-3
Model course featuring this spot
Hikone: A Historical Walk Discovering the National Treasure Hikone Castle and Castle Town
Shiga
Explore features & model courses
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