【まち歩き】彦根城のそびえる城下町を散策した日のVlog。古い町屋の残る落ち着いた道を進む。【滋賀観光】/ Walking around Castle Town Hikone, Jpan.

【まち歩き】彦根城のそびえる城下町を散策した日のVlog。古い町屋の残る落ち着いた道を進む。【滋賀観光】/ Walking around Castle Town Hikone, Jpan.

A retro town watched over by a castle. With every step, old houses appear. Enjoy this charming walking journey. The sun shines from the side, and morning air drifts around. We’ve arrived in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture. A town with preserved old streets and a castle—I’m excited😊 “Kawaramachi-Serimachi-chiku” We’re walking through an area where traditional streets remain. On both sides, buildings steeped in time😶 They’re not homes but mostly shops, so it doesn’t feel deserted—it’s part of local life. Cute street lamps line the narrow road, creating a compact shopping street atmosphere. This winding narrow street seems to stretch far ahead, so I’ll walk all the way to the end. The calm morning air and old houses create a special mood😌 The morning sun makes the scenery sparkle—I already feel fulfilled. Today the sky is partly cloudy, but the forecast says it’ll clear up later. This uncertain moment might be something you can only feel now. This area used to be wetlands with ponds, but after the castle was built in early Edo period, the town developed. The river that once flowed here was diverted about 2 kilometers, and large-scale construction created the castle town. During the Showa era, modernization changed many buildings, but some areas escaped those changes, and this street is one of the preserved zones. This district was once home to merchants, with houses in shades of brown and white. The triangular rooftops, like open books, are called kirizuma-zukuri, and many houses here have tiled roofs in that style. On the second floor are vertical-barred windows called mushikago-mado, forming a classic traditional Japanese street view. Walking among these buildings, I feel calm, but strangely, also a bit excited. Because so many old buildings remain, this area is designated as an Important Preservation District for Traditional Buildings, and the well-maintained structures are truly beautiful😌 After the war, Japan prioritized economic recovery, and many old landscapes disappeared, but in some rural areas, streets like this remain, and I’m grateful to those who work to preserve them. The sunlight grows stronger, and the white walls shine brighter. The town slowly begins to wake. Many buildings radiate the warmth of wood, but there are also retro-modern structures. As time passes, urban functions and trends change, and historic districts often blend Japanese and Western elements, feeling the flow of time is one of the joys here. Feeling the different atmospheres of each area, I continue walking through this traditional street. Looks like we’re nearing the end of the street. A train passes by—some passengers are probably headed to Hikone Castle. Time for me to head toward the castle too. I’ve arrived at a wider street. Unlike earlier, this area feels like the Showa and Heisei eras. “Hikone Ginza Shopping Street” This street seems to be part of everyday life for locals. Old buildings are tightly packed together. Flags flutter gently in the wind. Some metal structures show rust, but the buildings and streets are clean and well-kept, I love this perfectly balanced retro vibe😌 Enjoying the fresh and quiet morning air, I head northwest. A Western-style building comes into view. “YONBANCHO SQUARE” Such an elegant place😶 This area was designed with a Taisho romantic theme, and its refined appearance is impressive. There are many cafés and restaurants—it must be lovely to eat here. They’re not open yet, but I might come back for lunch. Willows line the street, adding a Japanese touch. Each branch sways gently in the breeze. Their drooping shape is graceful and delicate. Whether cherry or peach, I find weeping trees so charming. There’s also a small pond with fallen leaves floating on it. Reflections of nearby buildings ripple across the surface—so beautiful. I’ve found the Hikonyan Museum too. I learned about Hikone Castle after getting into travel, but I’ve known Hikonyan since I was a kid. Its relaxed face is adorable and super popular, so Hikone’s branding strategy is clearly a success. I might buy a Hikonyan plush as a souvenir💭 Thinking about that, I’m nearing the exit. “Yumekyobashi Castle Road” Grand merchant houses stand proudly. Such an impressive sight… This street leads directly to Hikone Castle, and its name fits perfectly. There are lots of restaurants here too—just looking makes me hungry. Omurice, curry, shaved ice, and especially Omi beef. I don’t eat meat often—maybe once a week, sometimes not even once a month, but in this delicious atmosphere, even I feel like eating meat. Today’s lunch will be Omi beef🐄 This street was developed between late Showa and early Heisei eras, with buildings designed to evoke a castle town. A street magnificent enough to be the gateway to a national treasure. Finally arrived at the moat of Hikone Castle. It’s wide and reflects the blue sky—so refreshing. Hikone Castle originally had three moats, but the outer moat was filled in, leaving only the inner and middle ones. This might be my first time visiting a castle with double moats. Across the bridge stands Hikone Castle. “Hikone Castle” Climbing the gentle slope step by step. The massive stone walls come into view. Rough stones stacked high, with white plaster walls. So majestic—it stirs my romantic spirit😌 Finally, the main keep appears…!! This is what a national treasure looks like. White walls and layered black roofs, with golden ornaments adding a brilliant touch. No matter the angle, it’s a beautiful castle. Between the large stones, many small ones are tightly fitted, a subtle but impressive detail😶 I’ve entered the main keep. Heading to the third floor—the top level. Reached the top. The sky is clear—it feels great… Hikone is more developed than I imagined, with tall buildings, and behind them, majestic mountains. To the west, Lake Biwa stretches far and wide, so vast it’s hard to believe it’s a lake. The view from the castle rooftop is simply stunning. Over there is the triple turret of the western compound. I’ll walk over there next. The path to the turret is covered in fallen leaves—autumn is here. Green is nice, but castles look best in autumn. Retro buildings pair well with warm, slightly melancholic tones😌 Now I’m in front of the triple turret of the western compound. As the name suggests, it looks like it has three levels. Inside, it’s dark, lit only by small windows. You can still see gun ports used in the past. Climbing while observing the wartime architecture. From here too, you can see Lake Biwa clearly. With such a view, spotting enemies would’ve been easy. Hikone Castle was built by order of Tokugawa Ieyasu after the Battle of Sekigahara, to monitor the western lords. As a hilltop castle, it had excellent visibility, and its panoramic view was used for defense in all directions. Leaving the castle, the moat sparkles in the sun. Tall trees sway vigorously in the wind. The castle is beautiful, but its grand proportions are also captivating😌 From the main keep, I spotted a lovely garden, so I’m heading there now. “Genkyu-en Garden” A shallow, clear pond surrounded by vibrant maples and pines. Like a Japanese garden fit for a painting. To the west, there’s a sand garden and a grand manor. The brown-toned scenery is deeply calming. The maples in front of the manor have already begun to change color. I thought autumn in Shiga was still far off, but it’s lovely to feel it early😊 I’d love to sit on the tatami and gaze at the foliage. Back at the pond, the landscape is still lush and green. A beautiful Japanese house with a thatched roof stands by the water. There are floating islands and wooden bridges in the pond, making it a famous scenic spot. Beyond the island, the silhouette of the castle overlooks the town. Everywhere I look, it’s perfect… The garden is walkable in a loop, and it’s designed to be interesting from every angle. Indeed, different details emerge depending on your viewpoint. Right now, the water sparkles like a mirror—it’s stunning. Whoever designed this garden must’ve been a genius. Not just the pond—the gravel paths around it are also charming. There’s a wooden bridge ahead. It’s sturdy, and I can feel a pleasant springiness underfoot. Wooden bridges aren’t just beautiful—they feel great to walk on😌 But they must be harder to maintain than metal ones💭 Colorful leaves float along the edge of the pond. Seeing autumn leaves mixed with green ones is rare, so I’d love to take more walks like this in the coming season. I’ve exited the garden. I came to Hikone just to see the castle and the old streets, and now that I’ve done that, I have no further plans. While walking toward the castle, I saw many retro alleys, so I’ll wander through the narrow streets and head toward Lake Biwa. Living in a town where old buildings remain would be a dream. Especially in Hikone, where you can see the castle from everyday streets, having a castle nearby would surely boost your quality of life😇 I heard Hikone Castle isn’t just a national treasure, it’s also aiming for World Heritage status. There are still many hurdles to clear for registration, but with such a charming townscape preserved, and the dignity of Edo-period stability felt from the main keep, I’m sure they’ll succeed. I’m now close to Lake Biwa. The journey is nearly over. Today I walked through Hikone, and the nostalgic old streets, along with the dignified presence of Hikone Castle towering above them, deeply moved my heart. Especially Hikone Castle, which is striving for World Heritage status, I hope this beautiful scenery will be preserved for future generations. I’m tired from walking—time to grab a bite. That’s all for today. See you next time. If you enjoyed this, please subscribe, give a like, and send some hype.

彦根城下町を散策してきました。
彦根城の天守閣は堂々として美しく、江戸時代に整備された町並みも一部残っており、歴史を感じる素晴らしい町でした。

0:00 オープニング / Opening
1:00 河原町芹町地区 / Kawaramachi-Serimachi-chiku
8:10 四番町スクエア / YONBANCHO SQUARE
10:22 夢京橋 キャッスルロード / Yumekyobashi Castle Road
12:47 彦根城 / Hikone Castle
17:41 玄宮園 / Genkyu-en Garden

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