Getting Around Hikone
Hikone is a compact city on the eastern shore of Lake Biwa in Shiga Prefecture, and much of what a visitor wants to see sits within a short walk of the main rail station. The city's transport network is built around that station, with local trains, a private railway, buses, taxis, and rental bicycles filling in the gaps.
Rail
Hikone is served by two rail operators, and understanding the difference between them is the key to moving around the area.
- JR West – Biwako Line: This is the main line through the city, part of the Tokaido Main Line that runs between Osaka and Tokyo. Within Hikone it serves Hikone, Minami-Hikone, Kawase, and Inae stations. Hikone Station is the principal stop and the natural base for visitors.
- Ohmi Railway – Main Line: A private railway that also serves the city, with stations at Fujitec-mae, Toriimoto, Hikone, Hikone-Serikawa, and Hikoneguchi. Ohmi Railway is headquartered in Hikone.
For longer journeys, the Tokaido Main Line (Biwako Line) connects Hikone directly with Kyoto and Osaka. Rapid trains run through to both cities, making Hikone an easy stopover between them. Note that the Shinkansen does not stop at Hikone; the nearest Shinkansen station is Maibara, which is just one local train stop away, so travellers arriving by bullet train can transfer there for the short hop into Hikone.
Buses and Other Public Transport
Local buses supplement the rail network for reaching parts of the city away from the station and the castle area. There is no metro or tram system in Hikone; the rail lines and buses are the public transport options, along with ferries on Lake Biwa.
- Ferries: Ferries connect Hikone to the islands of Chikubu and Takeshima in Lake Biwa, which is the way to reach those island destinations.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Taxis are available in the city, typically found at the rail station, and are a straightforward option for short trips or when carrying luggage. For the castle and garden, however, walking is usually simpler than taking a taxi.
Walking
Hikone is a very walkable city for its main sights. Hikone Castle and Genkyu-en Garden are a 15- to 20-minute walk along the main road from Hikone Station, so a visitor arriving by train can reach the city's signature attractions on foot without any further transport.
Bicycle Rental
Cycling is a practical way to cover more ground, and there are two rental options in Hikone:
- Ekirin-kun: Basic fixed-gear bike rental located directly on the south side of the west exit of Hikone Station. Open daily, and charged by the day.
- Meguringo: Run by a non-profit organisation, offering multi-gear bikes, including road bikes and electric-assisted bikes, rented by the day. It has two locations: one near Hikone Station (head out the west gate, in the mall across the plaza on the south side of the street) and another at the NPO's own premises a short distance south-west of the station. The station location keeps daily hours and closes for the New Year period; the NPO location has its own hours and closes on Tuesdays.
Getting There from the Airport
Hikone does not have its own airport. The practical route in by air is to fly into one of the major Kansai-area airports and continue by rail. Because Hikone sits on the Tokaido Main Line (Biwako Line) between Osaka and Tokyo, the rail network is the natural way to reach the city from the region's airports. If you are arriving via the Shinkansen, remember that it does not stop at Hikone: get off at Maibara and take the one-stop local train to Hikone.
By Car
Driving is an option for reaching Hikone and for exploring the wider area. Hikone is an exit on the Meishin Expressway (a toll road) between Nagoya and Osaka. National Route 8 runs through the city, and National Route 306 from Mie Prefecture ends here.