Category Archives: Japan

A city between Tokyo & Kyoto

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

Apparently 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

 Always worth the effort though. 🙂

My hotel to Starbucks

 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.

 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

 Also there are lots more photo opportunities when you walk.

A monster supermarket

 By far the biggest I have ever seen anywhere in the world.

The famous Castle

Five 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 Himejijo, Matsumotojo, Inuyamajo and Matsuejo. 

The other four.

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

Entry to the castle

After climbing about 800 steps the end is near. 🙂

The climb is worth it.

 I have seen so many castles in Japan yet the attraction is still there for me.

The city from the castle.

 As you can see it’s a very small city.

Spare a thought for this guy

 He is delivery goods to the shop, a long hard climb.

Take a boat ride on the moat.

 Everywhere you go in Japan there is a photo opportunity.

Apprenti restaurant

 Very good food & delightful owners.

Duck Confit for dinner

 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.

 I ate here two nights in a row. 🙂

Here I am with the owners of Apprenti restaurant.

 Masanori & his wife Hiromi are 2 delightful people who provide excellent French food & wine in their small French restaurant.

Uomaru

 So many restaurants as such little time.

Busy chef at Omaru

 Always great to watch the chef in action.

Avocado

 I’m always looking for this on the menu. 🙂

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

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