Lake Biwa Drive Plan ~ Kotou Course ~

Hikone Castle, a national treasure, is a symbol of the Kotou area, which extends to the east side of Lake Biwa. Starting from Hikone, you can see the museums and museums while traveling south on the Sazanami Highway on the eastern shore of Lake Biwa. The "Sazanami Kaido", which runs along the eastern shore of Lake Biwa, has few traffic lights and a comfortable drive, but it can also be crowded on holidays. The east coast has beautiful sunsets, so we recommend finishing off your trip by watching the sunset.

Total: 1 Day

Interchange

Start Meishin Expressway Hikone IC

Car Prefectural Road No. 25, etc.12 Minutes

Culture

9:30

Hikone Castle

At the order of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the Ii family, the Hikone feudal lord, took about 20 years from the year of 1604 to build a castle. In addition to the castle tower, four towers and horse houses that are designated as important cultural treasures remain in the castle, and you can see Lake Biwa from the castle tower and the Honmaru site. The biggest highlight is the beautiful castle tower whose expression changes depending on the angle of view.

Car Prefectural Road No. 25, etc.20 minutes

Shopping

12:30

vokko

Focusing on the Nordic vintage, it deals with clothing, food, and housing items that you will want to use for a long time, regardless of the country, brand, and fashion. The old building that was a villa has been renovated, and the sense of space is also attractive.

Address: 207-1 Yanagawa-cho, Hikone
Phone Number: 0749-43-7808
Transportation: 15 minutes by car from JR Inae Station
Opening hours: 11-18
Holidays: Thursday, 1st, 3rd, 5th Wednesday
Parking: 8 cars

Car prefectural road 323, etc.31 Minutes

Culture

14:00

Sagawa Art Museum

The museum was opened in 1998 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the founding of Sagawa Express. Permanent displays include works by Japanese painter Ikuo Hirayama, sculptor Churyō Sato , and Jiki Niyu Raku. A variety of exhibitions are also gaining popularity. The entrance is made by WEB reservation. Closed for facility maintenance from Monday, September 29, 2025 to the end of June, 2026.

(2nd photo) Sculpture by Meiji-born sculptor Churyō Sato
(3rd photo) Light through the water board depicts the arc of nature in the underground space

Food

Museum Cafe SAM

A little breather at the museum cafe. You can relax while looking at the water garden. Cake set 1000 yen. Coffee and cups and saucers are from Kyoto Inoda Coffee.

Car prefectural road 559, etc.8 Minutes

Culture

15:30

Lake Biwa Museum

A comprehensive museum where you can experience the history, nature, and people's lives, including the structure of Lake Biwa, and enjoy both adults and children. Pay attention to the black bass of exotic fish that can be enjoyed at the restaurant. Let's stop by the outdoor observation deck overlooking Lake Biwa.

(1st photo) Models of elephants and crocodiles that existed in ancient Lake Biwa 4 million years ago are also seen
(2nd photo) "Adult Discovery" displaying a wide variety of specimens including insects and birds

Car via Prefectural Road No. 3117 Minutes

Interchange

Goal Meishin Expressway Ritto IC

-This article is created based on the contents of "Rurubu information version" or "Rurubu & more." "Rurubu +".
· The data listed is as of March 2025. Prices, business hours, regular holidays, menus, etc. may change or may not be available due to temporary holidays. Please check in advance when using it, as the content may change.
· Closed stores and facilities, as a rule, the year-end holiday, Obon holiday, Golden Week, and temporary holidays are omitted.
· The published fees is the fee including the consumption tax that was confirmed at the time of the interview in principle, and the entrance fee is the adult fee if there is no special note.
-The time of use of the listing is, in principle, open (hall) to closed (hall). Please note that the last order or entrance (hall) time is usually 30 minutes to 1 hour before the closing (hall) time. The last order is written as LO.
・ The spring quality, efficacy, etc. of the hot springs in the list are prepared based on the answers from each facility.

Model Plan Nearby

Article

[National Treasure] Tourist guide of Hikone Castle! Introducing the highlights of the castle tower, castle owner, Hikonyan information, and sightseeing spots around the area

Article
2025-04-30

Lake Biwa Drive Plan ~ Kotou Course ~

Model Plan Nearby

Article

[National Treasure] Tourist guide of Hikone Castle! Introducing the highlights of the castle tower, castle owner, Hikonyan information, and sightseeing spots around the area

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