Culture & History

Irohamatsu Pine Street

These pine trees line the central moat of Hikone Castle, an area that was referred to as "Matsu-no-shita" ("beneath the pine trees") during the Edo Period (1603-1868). This street would have been used by the castle lord and his entourage whenever he left for Edo for his official attendance, or returned to the castle. There were once 47 pine trees along this path, the same as the old Japanese alphabet ("iroha").