Mini Travelogue | Hikone (3) Hikone Castle Yakatabune

I rode a Yakatabune (pleasure boat) that cruises the inner moat of Hikone Castle. It is said that Hikone Castle's Yakatabune were used by the feudal lord when inspecting his domain or falconry on the lake, or for entertaining daimyo and court nobles. I was able to enjoy the scenery of the inner moat on a boat that recreates this experience.

https://goo.gl/maps/ZbEAv92yCfG9mJvD6?g_st=ac

I rushed here so as not to be late, so I arrived at the boat landing more than 20 minutes early. I should not have skipped the matcha at Genkyuen Garden...

The previous boat has returned.

It is finally time to board.

At the stern, a boatman was operating the engine. At the bow, someone who appeared to be an assistant boatman was giving commentary over a microphone.

This commentary was excellent. It was an unexpected highlight. The history of the Hikone Domain, explanations of Hikone Castle and its stone walls, and more—it was like attending a high-quality paid seminar.
(Although I didn't take notes, so I've forgotten most of it...)

It is said that stone walls built by stacking natural stones as they are are called 'nozurazumi'.

There were also parts built in a more precise way, and I could feel the differences in personality depending on the team in charge at the time. Or perhaps it was a difference in budget.

There were also parts where the stone walls were covered in wild grass. I realize that maintenance costs must be significant even today.

What is the name of this bird? Its legs are thin like a crane's, though.

We pass under the Omotemon Bridge that I crossed in the morning.

Between the upper stone wall and the lower stone wall, there is an earthen rampart covered in grass, and I was told that this is also part of a three-tiered structure.

We are passing under the Otemon Bridge.

The stone walls are overgrown with trees, but I heard that the landscape changed after the Meiji era. It seems that during the Edo period, it was kept clear so that enemy incursions could be spotted.

A swan has approached the boat.

The castle keep has come into view. I am told that Osaka Castle is in that direction.

I wonder what this pedestal-like stone wall is. I heard the explanation, but I've forgotten it. I'll have to ride this boat again...

You can see the climbing stone walls on the slope behind the trees.

We have arrived at the turnaround point. There was a weir here. The water level on the other side, meaning Lake Biwa, is lower than the moat.

There was a time when typhoons caused the water level of Lake Biwa to rise, leading to flooding, so flood control work progressed after the Meiji era. Apparently, that caused the water level of Lake Biwa to drop. A weir was built so that the moat would not dry up.

On the way back, there was a Western-style building on the right. It was apparently a residence for foreign teachers at the former Hikone Higher Commercial School. It is a building designed by Vories, who left his mark in Omihachiman.

The castle keep is visible on the way back, too. I took this photo through the skylight of the boat.

A massive amount of stone was needed to build the stone walls, and it is said that some parts even used repurposed gravestones.

The outer wall of Genkyuen Garden has come into view. We will be docking soon.

I enjoyed the scenery at a leisurely pace during the approximately 50-minute boat trip. It was also a chance to rest my body. The commentary was excellent, and the experience was more satisfying than I had expected.

Next time, (4) Hikone Castle Museum.