How to go from Nagoya to Kyoto ?
The second part of the journey from Tokyo to Kyoto with a Japan Rail Pass
On the second part of the journey from Tokyo to Kyoto, the JR Tokaido Shinkansen does not hang around and stops only a couple of times. Do not miss the stop at Maibara Station if you wish to visit the beautiful area of Lake Biwa.
Travel on the shinkansen Tokaido
On the second part of the journey from Tokyo to Kyoto,the JR Tokaido shinkansen does not hang around and stops only a couple of times.
Do not miss the stop at Maibara Station if you wish to visit the beautiful area of Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest lake. Please note that Japan Rail Pass holders cannot take the Nozomi.
79 KM - 0H25 - Maibara station
147 KM - 0H36 - Kyoto
Discover Hikone
What to see ?
Hikone Castle (Hikone-Jo)
Hikone Castle is the oldest remaining medieval castle in Japan. It is one of four castles in Japan designated as National Treasures. Besides the castle’s main keep, most of the inner moats, guard houses and gates also remain intact. Hikone Castle is a 15-minute walk along the straight main road from Hikone Station. Open daily, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., ¥600 including the garden.
Genkyu-En Garden
The garden lies at the foot of the castle.It dates from 1677 and was modeled on the villa of Emperor Genso, a ruler during China’s Tang Period.
Hikone Castle Museum
At the base of the castle hill stands the Hikone Castle Museum, whose main attraction is a partial reconstruction of the former palace buildings. The buildings, which include multiple tatami rooms, corridors and gardens, served as the government offices of the lords and were reconstructed in the 1980s.Ordinary exhibition rooms display the clan’s family treasures, including arms and armor, kimonos, musical instruments and documents.
Open daily, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., ¥500.
Where to Stay ?
Sunroute Hotel Hikone ホテルサンルート彦根
9-14 Asahimachi, Hikone, Shiga, 522-0073
Tel : 07-4926-0123 / www.sunroute.jp/english/hotelinfo/kinki/hikone/index.html
Clean and spacious rooms a 1-minute walk from the west exit of Hikone Station.
Tobaya Ryokan とばや旅館
3-1-23 Kawara, Hikone, Shiga, 522-0083
Tel : 07-4922-0325 / www.tobaya.jp
A small ryokan with spacious roomsin an old, traditional house owned by a lovely family.
Where to eat ?
Hinai Jidori Hokkoriya 比内地鶏 ほっこりや
Follow the road winding around the south-east end of the castle and cross the river. At the traffic light, continue straight on the right-hand side, crossing Nagahori Tozai-dori. The restaurant is on the righthand corner of the street after you pass the bus stop.
Open daily, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Closed Wednesdays.
Tel 07-4921-3567/ http://ichien.jp/hokkoriya/
This restaurant is really well-known for its Oyako-don (chicken and egg on top of rice). Don’t worry - the line out the door moves really fast!
Taneya たねや
Taneya may only sell sweets, but it’s a must-see location just next to Hikone Castle.
Cross the river on the south end of Hikone Castle and turn right onto Nagahori Tozai-dori. Taneya will soon be on your right, set back from the street a little.
Open daily, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. / https://taneya.jp/shop/shiga_mihori.html