Shiga (Lake Biwa)

Hikone Castle is one of only twelve castles in Japan with its original Edo-period keep, and one of just five designated as a National Treasure. This complete guide covers everything first-time visitors need to know about Shiga Prefecture’s most beautiful castle on Lake Biwa — the history of the Ii clan, the main keep and Genkyu-en garden, how to get there from Kyoto, Osaka, Nagoya or Tokyo, where to eat Omi beef, when to visit for cherry blossoms or autumn colours, and how Hikone compares to Himeji and the other original castles.