Nagahama Castle & Lake Biwa Lakeside Park

Published: Jun 2, 2026

Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Nagahama CastleHideyoshiLake Biwalakefront parkcherry blossoms

Nagahama Castle & Lake Biwa Lakeside Park

Nagahama Castle (長浜城) was built by Toyotomi Hideyoshi in 1576 when he was still a rising warlord under Oda Nobunaga. The current structure is a 1983 concrete reconstruction (the original was dismantled in 1615), but the castle serves as a history museum covering Hideyoshi's early career and Nagahama's development. The fifth-floor observation deck provides views of northern Lake Biwa and the surrounding mountains.

The castle sits in Nagahama Castle Historical Museum Park, a lakefront green space with walking paths, cherry trees (400+ trees blooming early April), and direct access to Lake Biwa's shoreline. The combination of castle, lake views, and parkland makes this a pleasant stop when visiting Nagahama's Kurokabe Square (15-min walk away).

Getting There

Access Information

10-10 Konki-cho, Nagahama. 20-min walk from Nagahama Station or 10-min bicycle ride. Castle museum entry: ¥410. Hours: 9:00–17:00 (closed Dec 27–Jan 2). Park grounds: free 24/7. Visit duration: 45–60 minutes (museum 30 min, park walk 20 min). Cherry blossoms: early April.

Insider Guide

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**Museum content:** The five-floor museum focuses on Hideyoshi's Nagahama period (1576–1583) when he was still Hashiba Hideyoshi (before his surname change). Exhibits cover: his construction of Nagaha