Join a professional local guide on an in-depth journey through Hikone Castle, one of Japan’s finest surviving castles and deeply connected with the powerful Ii family, vassals of the Tokugawa shogunate. Rising above Lake Biwa, Hikone Castle was not merely a military stronghold but also a symbol of political stability in the Edo period. Built after the fall of Sawayama Castle, held by Ishida Mitsunari before his defeat at Sekigahara, it represented a new era of Tokugawa governance. Its tenshu, or main keep, is said to have been relocated from Otsu Castle, linking it to other historic sites in Shiga. For over 250 years the Ii clan ruled Hikone, serving loyally while providing some of the shogunate’s most capable administrators. Walking through the castle with your guide, you will see massive moats, defensive earthworks, the national treasure main keep, and elegant turrets and gates. From the top floor, enjoy sweeping views of Lake Biwa and the Ōmi region, where your guide points out landmarks tied to Sengoku and early Edo history, including Sawayama Castle ruins. Depending on the option chosen, the standard course highlights the main keep and core defenses, while the extended option adds turrets, Genkyuen Garden, Rakurakuen Palace, and a matcha tea experience in a daimyo garden inspired by Lake Biwa. Whichever you select, your expert guide ensures you understand how Hikone Castle and the Ii family shaped Tokugawa rule. This is more than sightseeing—it is a journey into the culture of a domain that stood at the crossroads of politics, war, and artistry, preserved today as one of the most authentic windows into Japan’s samurai age.