The 410th Anniversary Celebration of Hikone Castle, a National Treasure

the Legacy of the Ii Samurai Family and Beyond

Saturday, March 18th, 2017 - Sunday, December 10th, 2017
2017 marks the 410th anniversary of the completion of Hikone Castle’s main keep. On the same year of this anniversary is the broadcast of NHK’s 56th annual historical drama “Onna Joshu Naotara” (“Naotora: the Lady Warlord”), which tells the early story of the Ii family, who built and presided over Hikone Castle. Taking this opportunity to share its history, culture, and traditions with visitors from around Japan and the world, the City of Hikone is celebrating with a year-long festival: The 410th Anniversary Celebration of Hikone Castle, a National Treasure.

The Ii Family: Family Treasures &
the World of Edo Period Japan

Event Dates : Saturday, March 18th - Sunday, July, 2nd
Location : Hikone Castle Balance Turret (Tenbin yagura)

This event considers how Japan and Hikone itself were viewed by the outside world by examining their depiction in historically valuable globes and maps. In nearby Hikone Castle Museum, the secrets and history of Ii family heirlooms will be exhibited via an interactive media display.

Playback: Hikone Castletown Theater

Hikone Castle, National Treasure Part I: Construction of the Castle
Hikone Castle, National Treasure Part II: Making the Town

Event Dates : Saturday, March 18th - Sunday December 10th
Location : Hikone Castle Nishi-no-Maru Turret (Yagura)

At the close of the Warring States (Sengoku) Period, Japan was left splintered into dozens of rival domains after centuries of civil warfare. Hikone Castle was constructed at the very turning point of this violent point in Japan’s history, just as the decisive Battle of Sekigahara, and the Siege of Osaka determined the beginning of a new era.
At the Playback event, Hikone Castle will be recreated using high resolution photos of the castle keep, as well as illustrations from the castle’s historical records. Hikone Castle was a pivotal element in Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu’s eventual unification of the divided states of Japan. That history, and the story of its players will be screened in great spectacle with VR (virtual reality) technology.

Part I: Construction of the Castle (March 18th - July)

Part one of our VR screening event focuses on Hayakawa Wataru Sozaemon, who is said to have played a vital role in determining the boundaries of Hikone Castle grounds.

Part II: Making the Town(August-December 10th)

The second half of this feature traces the stories of Hikone’s ruler Ii Naosuke, and his son, Chokunori, and the culture that began to blossom in Hikone’s emerging castle town.

“Naotora: the Lady Warlord” Special Event

The Ii Family as seen in NHK Taiga dramas: From “Hana no Shogai” to “Onna Joshu Naotora (Naotora: the Lady Warlord)”

Event Dates : Saturday, March 18th - Sunday December 10th
Location : National Founding Memorial Hall (Kaikoku Kinenkan)

This event considers how Japan and Hikone itself were viewed by the outside world by examining their depiction in historically valuable globes and maps. In nearby Hikone Castle Museum, the secrets and history of Ii family heirlooms will be exhibited via an interactive media display.

Local Hikone Specialties
of the Lively Castle Town

Event Dates : Saturday, March 18th - Sunday, December 10th
Location : Hikone Castle Ni-no-Maru

Many Hikone specialities will be on sale at this particular event, including Omi Beef, and varieties of fish unique to Lake Biwa, served simmered in soy sauce and other ingredients. Additionally, Japanese sweets, pickled vegetables, local sake, and still more await you at the stalls here!