Pop Japan

Hailed as one of the only five National Treasures, in the castle category, the Hikone Castle is a significant historical architectural artifact in Shiga Prefecture. Considered as one of the only 12 castles still using their original keep, the Hikone Castle was said to be built in 1603 by Ii Naokatsu, the son of the daimyo Ii Naomasa. The keep was actually part of the Otsu Castle, which was constructed in 1575. This keep was then transferred to Hikone for the now castle of the Ii clan. The other parts of the Hikone Castle were said to be from another grand architectural monument, the Nagahama Castle.

Photo by Martin Falbisoner. Licensed under Creative Commons. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en)

Tags: national treasures, hikone castle, shiga prefecture, ii naokatsu, ii naomasa, otsu castle, nagahama castle