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Hikone Castle

 2011/08/03

 

  I was in Hikone of Shiga prefecture for over a week. It was a business trip so unfortunately we did not have enough time to enjoy the area. As the hotel was just kilometers away from the famous Hikone Castle, my friend and I took the free time on the way back after work to drop by the castle. It was past 5o`clock in the evening so the entrance was officially closed. But the in-charge personnel were kind enough to let us go up and enjoy the castle premises.


  This is one old fashioned gateway to the castle. There were several gates and entrances to the premises.


 This was the second entrance and the photo was taken from above. In the far end , the bell can be seen. This is yet being rung on occasions in Hikone.

The castle premises were joined by several bridges like this one. In early stages there had been a mechanism to raise the bridges when needed. But now they are supported bu some wooden pillars and always laid down.

 The top of the castle. It was closed for the day but still was standing majestically in the sinking sun. The castle belonged to Ii family and the times had been a very prosperous era.



 The great Biwa lake can be seen from the top of the mountain. It is said that the original castle grounds extended to the very banks of Biwa lake. As the area got urbanized the property was privatized and now only a very little are is originally owned by the castle.

This is a part of the palace garden which is still left to date. The old Japanese gardening techniques can be observed.

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