Genkyuen Garden

Built in 1677 by the Ii clan lords of Hikone, Genkyuen is a classic Edo-period strolling garden designed around a large central pond with islands, stone bridges, and wooden pavilions. The garden was modeled after the famous Gengyuan garden at a Chinese imperial palace, using "borrowed scenery" to frame Hikone Castle's keep rising above the treetops. Walk the looping trail to see the composition shift with each step, particularly beautiful reflected in the still water on calm mornings. Autumn maples and spring cherry blossoms are the peak seasons, and evening illumination events add a magical dimension.