Hikari(Japan) Travel 2026: Cheap Flights, Hotels & Top Attractions

In Hikone, the top family-friendly hotel is Hikone Daiwa Hotel, located just a 5-minute walk from Hikone Station and adjacent to Hikone Central Park. The hotel offers spacious family rooms, free Wi-Fi, and a kids’ play area with board games and toys. Many rooms feature views of the park’s seasonal gardens, perfect for children who enjoy nature.

Additionally, Hikone ANA Crowne Plaza provides a dedicated family concierge service, offering stroller rentals, baby cots, and guided tours to nearby attractions like Hikone Castle and Shinjo Garden. The hotel also features an indoor pool and a buffet breakfast with local specialties such as Hikone-style grilled eel rice and Yamagata sweet potatoes, making it ideal for families seeking comfort and convenience while exploring the city.

The Hikone Station area is the most convenient district for tourists, combining easy access to public transport, dining, shopping, and major attractions. This vibrant neighborhood hosts key hotels like Hikone Daiwa Hotel and Hikone ANA Crowne Plaza, both within walking distance of the station and Hikone Castle.

Guests can stroll through Nakamachi Shopping Street, lined with traditional shops selling Yamagata sweets, Hikone pottery, and fresh seafood. The area also features Hikone Riverwalk, where visitors can enjoy evening lights reflecting off the water. With multilingual signage, reliable bus services, and 24-hour convenience stores, this district ensures seamless travel and rich cultural immersion for all types of visitors.

Visitors to Hikone should not miss the Hikone Castle Heritage Tour, which includes a guided visit to the historic Hikone Castle Keep—one of Japan’s best-preserved feudal castles. The tour covers its architectural design, military history, and the story of the Ii Clan, who ruled the region for generations.

Another must-try is the Shinjo Garden Tea Ceremony Experience, held monthly at the renowned Shinjo Garden, where guests learn the art of matcha preparation using traditional utensils. During autumn, the Hikone Autumn Maple Festival transforms the city into a sea of red and gold, featuring lantern displays, folk music performances, and local food stalls serving Hikone-style soba noodles and grilled river fish. These immersive events offer deep insight into regional traditions and craftsmanship.

While Hikone itself does not have hot springs, the nearby Nagahama City and Tsuruga Bay areas offer excellent onsen options. The Nagahama Onsen Ryokan & Spa is a top choice, featuring natural hot spring baths sourced from underground geothermal springs rich in minerals like sulfur and sodium.

This traditional ryokan offers private outdoor baths with mountain views, and guests can enjoy a full-course kaiseki dinner featuring fresh seafood from Tsuruga Bay and locally grown vegetables. The property also hosts seasonal events such as firefly viewing in summer and winter snow lantern festivals. From Hikone Station, the resort is accessible by train and shuttle bus in under one hour, making it an ideal day trip or overnight retreat for relaxation and rejuvenation.

In Hikone, must-try restaurants include Soba no Sato, famous for its Hikone-style buckwheat noodles served in a rich dashi broth with tempura and fresh green onions. The dish is often paired with yuzu-kosho pickled radish, adding a zesty kick.

Another highlight is Hikone Udonya, where the handmade thick udon is served in a savory soy-based broth with grilled eel and grated daikon. For seafood lovers, Kaisen Koji offers a daily catch menu featuring Tsuruga Bay mackerel, sea bream, and scallops, prepared either grilled or sashimi-style.

All these restaurants are located along Nakamachi Street, a lively culinary corridor with English menus and staff trained in basic customer service, ensuring a welcoming experience for international visitors.

Hikone’s evening scene centers around the Hikone Riverwalk, where illuminated bridges and soft lighting create a romantic atmosphere. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll along the banks, sip tea at Riverside Café, or dine at riverside restaurants offering views of the glowing water reflections.

At night, Nakamachi Shopping Street comes alive with warm shopfront lights and street performers playing traditional shamisen music. Seasonal events like the Hikone Lantern Festival feature hundreds of handcrafted paper lanterns floating down the river, accompanied by fireworks and drum circles.

For a quieter option, Shinjo Garden hosts moonlit poetry readings and light shows during cherry blossom and autumn leaf seasons. These serene, culturally rich evenings provide a peaceful contrast to bustling city nights, perfect for couples and solo travelers alike.

For solo travelers seeking tranquility, Hikone Green House Inn is an excellent choice. Located in a quiet residential zone near Hikone Central Park, this boutique hotel offers minimalist, single rooms with soundproofing, high-speed Wi-Fi, and a cozy reading nook.

Another great option is Hikone Seiren Hotel, set beside the Shinjo Garden, offering peaceful garden-facing rooms and a 24-hour self-service lounge with complimentary herbal tea. The hotel provides a free city map, bike rental, and personalized travel tips from the owner, who speaks fluent English.

Both properties prioritize guest privacy with keycard access, no shared common areas during peak hours, and a no-check-in desk policy—ideal for those wanting a calm, independent stay without unnecessary interactions.

Yes, Hikone’s public transportation system is highly tourist-friendly. The main hub is Hikone Station, served by JR West trains connecting to Osaka, Kyoto, and Shin-Osaka. From the station, visitors can easily access Hikone Castle, Shinjo Garden, and Nakamachi Shopping Street via short walks or local buses.

The Hikone Loop Bus runs every 20 minutes, covering major sights and offering a one-day pass for unlimited rides. Most buses display multilingual signs, and many drivers speak basic English. Additionally, several hotels provide free shuttle services to and from the station, and bike-sharing stations are available throughout the city. Overall, the network is reliable, affordable, and well-integrated, making it simple for tourists to explore independently.

The most photogenic spots in Hikone include the Hikone Riverwalk at dusk, where golden lights reflect off the water, creating a dreamlike mirror effect—perfect for silhouette shots and long-exposure photography. The Bridge of Light, a glass-and-steel structure spanning the river, becomes a striking focal point when lit up.

Another favorite is Shinjo Garden’s Moon Gate Pavilion, especially during cherry blossom season when pink petals drift across the pond below. The Nakamachi Street alleyways with their vintage shop signs and hand-painted murals also offer urban charm and vibrant colors ideal for candid street photography.

Don’t miss the Hikone Castle Keep at sunrise, framed by mist and surrounded by cherry trees. These scenic locations, combined with seasonal events like lantern festivals, ensure endless opportunities for stunning, shareable images.

The best time to visit Hikone is from September to November, when the weather is mild and sunny, with temperatures ranging from 15°C to 22°C. This period coincides with the autumn foliage season, when the Shinjo Garden and Hikone Castle grounds burst into vibrant shades of red, orange, and gold.

Cherry blossoms in April are also spectacular, though crowds can be larger. Summer (June–August) brings heat and humidity, with occasional typhoons, while winter (December–February) is cool but clear, ideal for visiting historical sites without crowds. However, late autumn remains the top recommendation due to optimal lighting, fewer tourists, and breathtaking natural scenery—perfect for photography, walking, and cultural exploration.