Browse Souvenirs in a Shopping Street Brimming with Taisho-Era Charm. Rest at a Dessert Spot to Wrap Up Your Day
About this spot
A shopping district with a Taisho-era theme, revitalized from what was once called "Hikone's Kitchen"—a bustling market street. Along streets lined with retro Western-style buildings, shops selling Japanese sweets, pickled vegetables, and miscellaneous goods gather, including stores carrying merchandise of Hikonyan (ひこにゃん), Hikone's mascot character. With dessert street food and sweet refreshment spots available, it's perfect for a final rest and souvenir shopping after a full day of walking. The atmosphere is quite different from Yume Kyobashi Castle Road, which recreates Edo-period streets, making it enjoyable to compare the two different eras' townscapes back to back. As a compact shopping district, even tired feet can comfortably take all three generations around.
Tips
Just a short walk from Yume Kyobashi Castle Road, visiting both in sequence is the standard course. Dessert shops and cafes are scattered throughout, providing ideal rest stops for tired grandparents and grandchildren. Some shops accept cash only, so small change is helpful. Multiple coin parking lots are nearby; if traveling by car, using this area as a base for walking is also convenient.
Best time to visit
Allow approximately 1.5 hours. Visiting in the early afternoon before shops close allows leisurely souvenir selection.
Access & map
〒522-0064 Shiga Prefecture Hikone City Honcho 1-chome 7-34
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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