How to go from Nagoya to Kyoto ?

Published on : 28/01/2017
by : Japan Experience

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Hikone, Shiga
©IMBiblio,https://www.flickr.com/photos/tags/flicker/,CC BY-SA 2.0,https://www.flickr.com/photos/33750036@N05/17282663250/

The second part of the journey from Tokyo to Kyoto with a Japan Rail Pass

On the second part of the journey from Tokyo to Kyoto, the JR Tokaido Shinkansen does not hang around and stops only a couple of times. Do not miss the stop at Maibara Station if you wish to visit the beautiful area of Lake Biwa.

Travel on the shinkansen Tokaido

On the second part of the journey from Tokyo to Kyoto,the JR Tokaido shinkansen does not hang around and stops only a couple of times.

Do not miss the stop at Maibara Station if you wish to visit the beautiful area of Lake Biwa, Japan’s largest lake. Please note that Japan Rail Pass holders cannot take the Nozomi.

0 KM - Nagoya

30 KM - 0H10 - Gifu-Hashima station

This is the shinkansen station of Hashima City in Gifu Prefecture.

79 KM - 0H25 - Maibara station

Change here to reach Lake Biwa’s two largest cities, Otsu and Hikone, and the city of Gifu.

Hikone Station lies along the JR Tokaido Main Line (also locally referred to as the ‘BiwakoLine’) just one station south-west of Maibara Station. Hikone ismost famous for its authentic castle, designated as a national treasure. Stay on the Tokaido Main Line to reach the city of Otsu that was immortalized in the famous Hiroshige’s prints. Located on the south-western shore of Lake Biwa, Otsu once flourished as a post station along the Tokaido Road (between Tokyo and Kyoto) in the south-western part of the prefecture. Numerous historical sites and cultural riches are found in the city, such as Enryaku-ji Temple on Mt. Hiei, the birthplace of Japanese Buddhism. You can enjoy a cruise on Lake Biwa by takinga sightseeing boat from Nagisa-koen Park, at Hama-otsu.

Take the JR Tokaido Main Line in the opposite direction - heading to Tokyo - to reach Gifu. The city is famous for its traditional cormorant fishing, and you can watch the fishermen, as well as their bird colleagues, working on the Nagara River, from May 11th to October 15th every year. They have been used to catch ayu, a type of river trout, since the 8th century. Note that you can enjoy the show from viewing boats. The Nagara River is also the venue for Gifu City’s annual firework festivals, which boast the greatest number of fireworks in the country and attract large crowds every year.

147 KM - 0H36 - Kyoto

Discover Hikone

What to see ?

Hikone Castle (Hikone-Jo)

Hikone Castle is the oldest remaining medieval castle in Japan. It is one of four castles in Japan designated as National Treasures. Besides the castle’s main keep, most of the inner moats, guard houses and gates also remain intact. Hikone Castle is a 15-minute walk along the straight main road from Hikone Station. Open daily, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., ¥600 including the garden.

Genkyu-En Garden

The garden lies at the foot of the castle.It dates from 1677 and was modeled on the villa of Emperor Genso, a ruler during China’s Tang Period.

Hikone Castle Museum

At the base of the castle hill stands the Hikone Castle Museum, whose main attraction is a partial reconstruction of the former palace buildings. The buildings, which include multiple tatami rooms, corridors and gardens, served as the government offices of the lords and were reconstructed in the 1980s.Ordinary exhibition rooms display the clan’s family treasures, including arms and armor, kimonos, musical instruments and documents.

Open daily, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., ¥500.

Where to Stay ?

Sunroute Hotel Hikone ホテルサンルート彦根

9-14 Asahimachi, Hikone, Shiga, 522-0073

Tel : 07-4926-0123 / www.sunroute.jp/english/hotelinfo/kinki/hikone/index.html

Clean and spacious rooms a 1-minute walk from the west exit of Hikone Station.

Tobaya Ryokan とばや旅館

3-1-23 Kawara, Hikone, Shiga, 522-0083

Tel : 07-4922-0325 / www.tobaya.jp

A small ryokan with spacious roomsin an old, traditional house owned by a lovely family.

Where to eat ?

Hinai Jidori Hokkoriya 比内地鶏ほっこりや

Follow the road winding around the south-east end of the castle and cross the river. At the traffic light, continue straight on the right-hand side, crossing Nagahori Tozai-dori. The restaurant is on the righthand corner of the street after you pass the bus stop.

Open daily, 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Closed Wednesdays.

Tel 07-4921-3567/ http://ichien.jp/hokkoriya/

This restaurant is really well-known for its Oyako-don (chicken and egg on top of rice). Don’t worry - the line out the door moves really fast!

Taneya たねや

Taneya may only sell sweets, but it’s a must-see location just next to Hikone Castle.

Cross the river on the south end of Hikone Castle and turn right onto Nagahori Tozai-dori. Taneya will soon be on your right, set back from the street a little.

Open daily, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. / https://taneya.jp/shop/shiga_mihori.html