What other travelers are saying about Nagahama Castle Historical Museum
📍Nagahama Castle and Lake Biwa!! 🫶🏻
I swear this one’s really pretty too. 🥹🥹
No, we didn’t get to go inside the castle nor the museum that day but the garden of the castle was so pretty!!
Lots of trees, mostly Sakura tree; it would be so pretty druing spring season! 🌸🌸
And the best part is ーLake Biwa! It’s just there next to the garden (behind the castle ig). The view on the highest floor of the castle might be so pretty!! Ahhh
My favorite garden so far and 2nd best location after Gifu Castle. 🫶🏻 (Well Gifu Castle is more of like a “stragetic” location imo. It’s so cool! Nagahama Castle on the other hand, the garden and Lake Biwa, is just sooo ✨pretty✨).
I love. 🫶🏻🫶🏻🫶🏻
I’d probably revisit on spring, if I can. 🥹🥹
A nicely rebuilt tenshu. There is an elevator and the views are really nice!!!
Friendly staff as well, some cool souvenirs.
Gojoin is here. Castle memorial stamp too, But no '100 Best Castles' stamp.
The displays were intetesting and varied - 100% Japanese, so if you do not read Japanese you will need Google translate (or similar). With the translations we found it very informative and intetesting.
As always a really good 360deg views from the top.
Hidden gem. Castle that re-construction with elevator and nice air conditioner. Nice place for you who are travelling in summer. Very close to Nagahama station. If you want to go sightseeing in Shiga, going to Nagahama is the best choice. Not far from the castle, there are a lot of sightseeing spot that you can enjoy all day such as Kurokabe and Kaiyodo figure museum, etc. Enjoy Shiga, everyone!
A neat little museum with a cheap ticket cost. They do not cater to foreigners so if you don't read Japanese you're mostly just paying to look at some dioramas, archaeological finds from the surrounding area, and a 360 scenic view of the surrounding area. My Japanese is limited but I had a great time.
The museum is open from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with last admission at 4:30 PM. The museum is closed every Monday (though it opens if Monday is a national holiday, with closure the following weekday instead), during the New Year holiday period from December 27 to January 2, and occasionally for temporary closures during inspections and exhibit changes.
Photography is not allowed on the second and third floors where the exhibition rooms display scrolls and other artifacts. However, visitors can take photos from the fifth-floor observation deck, which offers panoramic views of Lake Biwa and the surrounding area. The photography restriction helps preserve the delicate historical materials on display.
Most visitors spend approximately one to two hours exploring the museum. This allows time to view the exhibitions on the second and third floors, learn about the castle's history and connection to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and enjoy the views from the fifth-floor observation deck. If you plan to explore the surrounding Ho Park with its cherry trees, excavated stone walls, and other historical features, you should allow additional time.
Yes, the museum accepts the Nagahama Excursion Passport. This pass costs ¥1,500 and provides two-day access to 13 tourist attractions throughout Nagahama City, including the castle museum, making it a cost-effective option if you plan to visit multiple sites. The regular admission fee for the museum alone is ¥500 for adults, so the passport offers good value for those exploring the wider area.
Volunteer guides are available on weekends and public holidays for visitors who understand Japanese. If you wish to arrange a guided tour on a weekday, you need to contact the museum by the 22nd of the previous month. While most exhibits are labeled primarily in Japanese, the guides can provide deeper insights into the castle's history and its connection to the unification of Japan under Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
