Construction of Hikone Castle began in 1604 by Naotsugu (later Naotaka), son of Ii Naomasa, one of the four great generals of the Tokugawa clan. It took about 20 years to complete, and is a flatland castle built on Mt. Konki overlooking Lake Biwa. It is also known as Konki Castle. The castle tower is a composite watchtower-type structure with three tiers, three floors and one basement, and features a complex combination of roof decorations and graceful curves. It is one of the five remaining national treasure castle towers (Himeji Castle, Matsumoto Castle, Inuyama Castle, Matsue Castle, and Hikone Castle), and its historical value and architectural beauty are highly regarded both in Japan and overseas.

Many of the towers and gates inside the castle, including the Tenbin Yagura and Taikomon Yagura, which are designated as important cultural properties of Japan, still remain in their original form. Inside the castle tower, there are many steep stairs, and you can feel the solid construction of the time. In addition, Genkyuen Garden, located northeast of the castle, is a stroll-style garden with a pond modeled after the Eight Views of Xiao-Xiang in China, and you can enjoy beautiful scenery with flowers and trees of all seasons and the castle in the background. Hikonyan, who appears at regular times every day, is also popular.

Compared to Inuyama Castle, a similar castle and national treasure in Aichi Prefecture, Inuyama Castle has more to see in the castle tower, but Hikone Castle has more to see in the castle as a whole, such as the stone walls and the moated Genkyuen Garden.

The admission fee includes access to Genkyuen Garden.

The Kyobashiguchi parking lot on the south side of the castle tower is a little far from the castle tower, but it is convenient as there are many souvenir shops and restaurants.