The common question among the Japanese was, "Where? What's there?" Or, "Why Hikone?" It was intentionally a "low key" mid-point to my 3-week trip to kind of chill out and relax/regroup a bit. The castle is actually pretty cool, and demonstrates how they utilize the natural resources available. And the inn I stayed in is hundreds of years old and a waypoint for merchants between Kyoto and Edo. Once I was in Hikone, however, I also discovered the Lake Biwa boat-cruise out to Chikabushima island, so I ended up doing that and seeing all the temples there as well - so it ended up being quite a full excursion after all, for only one full day! (Castle in the morning, island in the afternoon). The locals are incredibly friendly. Upon walking to the ryokan from the train-station, it was just barely spitting rain, and a woman ran out of her house holding and umbrella and tried to insist I take it. I explained in my limited Japanese where I was going (only another block or so) and thanked her, but it was incredibly sweet, and I use it to demonstrate how wonderful the Japanese people are, even to a complete stranger walking down the street dragging a suitcase.

Always a wonderful city. This particular trip there was 10 inches of snow that paralyzed the town. Didn't get to the castle or the lake. No taxi's available. But have visited too many times to count. Always a great place.

I came to Koka Ninjutsu Village, but it would be interesting if you come there with children, it is not a place for adult. The atmosphere was good, but it would be better if they add more attraction (practice or outbond activity as a real ninja maybe interesting). Unfortunately I only visited that place because I need to catch up the other place to go. I think I am going to visit Shiga again someday to see the other place ( I look into the map hanging in Guesthouse Muga and found that there are a lot of place seems interesting to be visited, like 500 Buddha statue, etc)

Hikone was chosen to be our base for three days, thought it was an ideal location for us to travel to wakasa/Fukui area and depart for Kyoto after. Unfortunately, the hotel we stayed in was less than ideal. Nevertheless, we enjoyed our walk to hikone castle and Yume Kyobashi castle road. Omi beef lunch and green tea ice cream were good.

It is nice to spend time in a smaller Japanese city as a contrast to the big ones. Hikone has a great castle, beautiful buildings, and local food culture that make it a great place to visit. Try the ohmi beef!

The Hikone Castle is wonderful - between the Hikone castle and the Hikone Castle Resort and Spa just across the street, it's very worth the trip from Kyoto. The castle property include a lovely small museum, beautiful grounds with several landscaped gardens and plateaus, and an amazing historic stone castle and fort -- all surrounded by a lovely moat and high stone walls that are gently illuminated at night. Lake Biwa is also very beautiful. Add a few days of luxury at the spa, amazing dinners and wonderful breakfasts, in gracious surroundings, and it's a wonderful way to take a break from the intensity of Japan's big cities. We speak no Japanese, but had enough people who guided us to manage very well. Take a fast train from Kyoto to Maibara, and any local one stop back towards Kyoto to Hikone. All the train personnel were extremely helpful, and gave us track numbers and times.