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Hikone Small City Near Kyoto Japan

June 19, 2018 by David Herd

A city between Tokyo & Kyoto

Hikone Small City Near Kyoto Japan

Hikone Small City Near Kyoto Japan

Hikone Small City Near Kyoto Japan sits by the shore of Lake Biwa the largest lake in Japan. In previous blogs I have been a little harsh when writing about Hikone, however the Castle was interesting & I dined at two very good restaurants. Above is Castle Road which as you can guess leads to the famous Castle.

Hikone Small City Near Kyoto Japan

Hikone Small City Near Kyoto JapanApparently the buildings along Castle road have been designed like town houses from the Edo Period with white walls.

It was a long walk to Starbucks

Hikone Small City Near Kyoto Japan Always worth the effort though. 🙂

My hotel to Starbucks

Hikone Small City Near Kyoto Japan I’m sure it took me longer than 31 minutes. 🙂 Hotel Sunroute Hikone is also only 4 minutes walk from the station, you can get a room for around $30 AUD if you book through THIS LINK.

I stopped for an ice cream on the way back to my hotel.

Hikone Small City Near Kyoto Japan I tend to walk as much as possible to help my fitness, plus you see more of the local environment. Most days I was walking more than 10,000 steps.

Cute coffee shop

Hikone Small City Near Kyoto Japan Also there are lots more photo opportunities when you walk.

A monster supermarket

Hikone Small City Near Kyoto Japan By far the biggest I have ever seen anywhere in the world.

The famous Castle

Hikone Small City Near Kyoto JapanFive castles in Japan are national treasures, this is one of them. Hikone Castle’s three storied castle keep is relatively small but displays a unique design that combines multiple different architecture styles. This is one reason why the castle keep has been designated a national treasure, the highest designation for cultural properties in Japan, held by only four other castle keeps, namely HimejijoMatsumotojoInuyamajo and Matsuejo. 

The other four.

Hikone Castle Japanese National Treasure Hikone Castle is a 15 minute walk along the straight main road from Hikone Station.

Entry to the castle

Hikone Small City Near Kyoto JapanAfter climbing about 800 steps the end is near. 🙂

The climb is worth it.

Hikone Small City Near Kyoto Japan I have seen so many castles in Japan yet the attraction is still there for me.

The city from the castle.

Hikone Small City Near Kyoto Japan As you can see it’s a very small city.

Spare a thought for this guy

Hikone Small City Near Kyoto Japan He is delivery goods to the shop, a long hard climb.

Take a boat ride on the moat.

Hikone Small City Near Kyoto Japan Everywhere you go in Japan there is a photo opportunity.

Apprenti restaurant

Hikone Small City Near Kyoto Japan Very good food & delightful owners.

Duck Confit for dinner

Hikone Small City Near Kyoto Japan Very French, here is the recipe. Pour the melted fat over the duck (the duck pieces should be covered by fat) and place the confit in the oven. Cook the confit slowly at a very slow simmer — just an occasional bubble — until the duck is tender and can be easily pulled from the bone, 2-3 hours. Remove the confit from the oven.

Followed by desert of course.

Hikone Small City Near Kyoto Japan I ate here two nights in a row. 🙂

Here I am with the owners of Apprenti restaurant.

Hikone Small City Near Kyoto Japan Masanori & his wife Hiromi are 2 delightful people who provide excellent French food & wine in their small French restaurant.

Uomaru

Hikone Small City Near Kyoto Japan So many restaurants as such little time.

Busy chef at Omaru

Hikone Small City Near Kyoto Japan Always great to watch the chef in action.

Avocado

Hikone Small City Near Kyoto Japan I’m always looking for this on the menu. 🙂

Thanks for visiting my Hikone Small City Near Kyoto Japan photo blog.

A-One hotel on Beach Road

Seven deadly Songkran days

For a great room rate at the A-One hotel opposite the beach just book through THIS LINK.               

 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

 

This gallery contains 2 photos

Hikone Castle Japanese National Treasure

June 18, 2018 by David Herd

It was a long hot climb to the Castle.

Hikone Castle National Treasure

Hikone Castle National Treasure

Hikone Castle National Treasure is one of five in the whole country. It is regarded as one of Japan’s most beautiful and historic castles.

It was close to 1000 steps to get to the Castle.

Hikone Castle Japanese National TreasureExcellent views of the city once I got to the top.

Here is the entrance.

Hikone Castle Japanese National Treasure It was a very hot day & when I got to the top I really needed needed some liquid refreshment.

This is just what the doctor ordered. 🙂

Hikone Castle National Treasure

An ice cold Asahi is my favourite beer.

As you can see it’s a rather spectacular building.

Hikone Castle National Treasure Hikone Castle Japanese National Treasure was worth the effort to take on all those steps.

Good view of Hikone

Hikone Castle National TreasureThat’s Japan’s largest lake – Biwako – and is an easy day trip from Osaka, Kyoto or Nagoya.

Looking down on the city centre. 

Hikone Castle Japanese National TreasureIt was a 30 minute walk from my hotel near the station. Then you had to climb to the top. Hotel Sunroute Hikone is also only 4 minutes walk from the station, you can get a room for around $30 AUD if you book through THIS LINK.

Spare a thought for the poor delivery man. 🙂

Hikone Castle National Treasure Supplies for the shops etc have to be delivered the hard way. 

 Hikone Castle  National Treasure

Hikone Castle National TreasureThe castle is certainly impressive & the view of the surrounding city is worth seeing.

Here is a good example of the sloping stone walls.

Hikone Castle National TreasureAs you can see there are lots of photo opportunities.

Work in progress

Hikone Castle Japanese National TreasureI’m guessing work never stops on these ancient buildings.

Take a boat around the moat.

Hikone Castle National TreasureNot a bad idea.

You gotta love the coolie hats.

Hikone Castle National TreasureEqual opportunity exists in Hikone, a male & a female.

The gardeners are hard at work.

Hikone Castle National Treasure

As I said before work never stops at Hikone Castle  National Treasure.

Japanese treasures.

Hikone Castle National TreasureHere are the location of the five treasures.

A-One hotel on Beach Road

Seven deadly Songkran days

For a great room rate at the A-One hotel opposite the beach just book through THIS LINK.               

 

 Soi Cowboy                  Nana Plaza                    Patpong

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 That’s all folks

1g Duck

 

 
Counter only started February 16 2020.

 

 

This gallery contains 2 photos