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Photo: コヲダ, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
A zen temple with a variety of gardens, each designed by temple priests as a form of worship and meditation. The temple itself houses some interesting artwork.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
佐和山城跡
彦根城博物館, Hikone-jō Hakubutsukan
An excellent museum of samurai artifacts and artwork.
彦根城 Hikone-jō
Hikone Castle is an original Japanese castle dating back to 1604, instead of the usual 1960s-era concrete reconstruction. The castle tower is an official National Treasure and a number of the turrets have been classified as Important Cultural Properties. Even the sound of the bell every three hours is preserved as a nationally important soundscape.
玄宮園
Hikone's number two attraction is the garden at the foot of the castle. The park contains a sprawling villa built in the Chinese Tang Dynasty style in 1677 for Naooki Ii, the fourth lord of Hikone. The best thing to do here is to pause at the teahouse for a cup of matcha (ceremonial green tea), a Japanese sweet and some quiet contemplation for ¥500.