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Coordinates: 35°16′N 136°16′E / 35.267°N 136.267°E / 35.267; 136.267
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{{Other uses|Hikone (disambiguation)}}
{{redirect|Hikone}}
{{Infobox settlement

| name = Hikone
{{Infobox city Japan
| official_name =
|name= Hikone
|JapaneseName= {{nobold|{{lang|ja|彦根市}}}}
| native_name = {{nobold|{{nobold|{{lang|ja|彦根市}}}}}}
| native_name_lang = ja
|settlement_type= [[Cities of Japan|City]]
| settlement_type = [[Cities of Japan|City]]
|image_skyline= View of hikone-jo from sawayama-jo ruins.JPG
| other_name =
|image_caption= City central, Lake Biwa and Hikone castle viewed from Sawayama castle ruin
<!-- images, nickname, motto -->
|image_flag = Flag of Hikone, Shiga.svg
| image_skyline = View of hikone-jo from sawayama-jo ruins.JPG
|image_symbol= Emblem of Hikone, Shiga.svg
| imagesize =
|image_map= Hikone in Shiga prefecture Ja.svg
| image_caption = City central, Lake Biwa and Hikone castle viewed from Sawayama castle ruin
|region= [[Kansai region|Kansai]]
| image_flag = Flag of Hikone, Shiga.svg
|prefecture= [[Shiga Prefecture|Shiga]]
| image_seal = Emblem of Hikone, Shiga.svg
|area_km2= 196.84
| seal_type = Emblem
|population_as_of= October 1, 2016
<!-- maps and coordinates -->
|population= 113,349
| image_map = Hikone in Shiga prefecture Ja.svg
|density_km2= auto
| map_alt =
|coordinates = {{coord|35|16|N|136|16|E|region:JP|display=inline,title}}
| map_caption = Location of Hikone in Shiga Prefecture
|tree= [[Orange (fruit)|Tachibana Orange]]
| pushpin_map = Japan
|flower= [[Iris (plant)|Iris]]
| pushpin_relief =
|mayor= Takashi Ōkubo (since May 2013)
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Japan
|city_hall_postal_code= 522-8501
| coordinates = {{coord|35|16|N|136|16|E|region:JP|display=inline,title}}
|city_hall_address= 4-2 Motomachi, Hikone-shi, Shiga-ken
| coordinates_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
|website= {{URL|http://www.city.hikone.shiga.jp}}
<!-- location -->
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = Japan
| subdivision_type1 = [[List of regions of Japan|Region]]
| subdivision_name1 = [[Kansai region|Kansai]]
| subdivision_type2 = [[Prefectures of Japan|Prefecture]]
| subdivision_name2 = [[Shiga Prefecture|Shiga]]
| subdivision_type3 = [[Districts of Japan|District]]
| subdivision_name3 =
<!-- established -->
| established_title = <!-- Settled -->
| established_date =
| extinct_title = Now part of
| extinct_date =
| founder =
| named_for =
<!-- seat, smaller parts -->
| seat_type = <!-- defaults to: Seat -->
| seat =
<!-- government type, leaders -->
| government_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| leader_party =
| leader_title = Mayor
| leader_name = Hiroyuki Wada (since May 2021)
| leader_title1 = Vice Mayor
| leader_name1 =
<!-- display settings -->
| total_type = <!-- to set a non-standard label for total area and population rows -->
| unit_pref = Metric
<!-- area -->
| area_magnitude = <!-- use only to set a special wikilink -->
| area_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| area_total_km2 = 196.84
| area_land_km2 =
| area_water_km2 =
| area_water_percent =
| area_note =
<!-- elevation -->
| elevation_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| elevation_m =
<!-- population -->
| population_footnotes = <!-- for references: use <ref> tags -->
| population_total = 111958
| population_as_of = August 31, 2021
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_est =
| pop_est_as_of =
<!-- time zone(s) -->
| timezone1 = [[Japan Standard Time|JST]]
| utc_offset1 = +09:00
<!-- postal codes, area code -->
| postal_code_type =
| postal_code =
| area_code_type = <!-- defaults to: Area code(s) -->
| area_code =
<!-- blank fields (section 1) -->
| blank1_name_sec1 = Phone&nbsp;number
| blank1_info_sec1 = 0749-30-6111
| blank_name_sec1 = City hall address
| blank_info_sec1 = 4-2 Motomachi, Hikone-shi, Shiga-ken 522-8501
<!-- blank fields (section 2) -->
| blank_name_sec2 = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank_info_sec2 = [[Humid subtropical climate|Cfa]]
<!-- website, footnotes -->
| website = {{Official homepage|https://www.city.hikone.lg.jp/}}
| footnotes =
| module = {{Infobox place symbols| embedded=yes
| tree = [[Tachibana orange|Tachibana Orange]]
| flower = [[Iris (plant)|Iris]]
| bird =
| flowering_tree =
| butterfly =
| fish =
| other_symbols =
}}
}}
}}


{{nihongo|'''Hikone'''|彦根市|Hikone-shi}} is a [[Cities of Japan|city]] located in [[Shiga Prefecture]], [[Japan]]. It is on the eastern shore of the [[Lake Biwa]]. The city was incorporated on February 11, 1937.
{{nihongo|'''Hikone'''|彦根市|Hikone-shi}} is a [[Cities of Japan|city]] located in [[Shiga Prefecture]], [[Japan]]. {{As of|2021|08|01}}, the city had an estimated [[population]] of 111,958 in 49066 households and a [[population density]] of 570 persons per km².<ref name="Hikone-hp">{{cite web |url=https://www.city.hikone.lg.jp/kakuka/shimin_kankyo/2/2/3132.html|title= Hikone city official statistics|location= Japan|language= ja}}</ref> The total area of the city is {{convert|196.84|sqkm|sqmi}}.


==Geography==
As of October 1, 2016, the city has an estimated [[population]] of 113,349 and a [[population density]] of 580 persons per km². The total area is 196.84&nbsp;km².
Hikone is located in central Shiga Prefecture, on the eastern shore of [[Lake Biwa]], and extending inland to the Ibuki Mountains. Parts of the city are within the borders of the [[Biwako Quasi-National Park]].


The key industries of Hikone are the manufacturing of [[butsudan]], [[textile]]s, and [[valve]]s. [[Bridgestone]] has a tire manufacturing plant here. [[Fujitec]], [[Ohmi Railway]], and Heiwadō (the largest supermarket chain in Shiga) are headquartered in Hikone.

In 2003, meetings were held to discuss the merger of Hikone with the towns of [[Toyosato, Shiga|Toyosato]], [[Kōra, Shiga|Kōra]], and [[Taga, Shiga|Taga]] (all from [[Inukami District, Shiga|Inukami District]]). However, a survey conducted by the city in February 2004, revealed that most of the citizens opposed the merger, leading the city government to shelve the proposal for the time being{{Citation needed|date=January 2013}}.

Unlike in most parts of Japan, [[carrom]] is still popular here ever since it was introduced in the early 20th century.

==Geography==
===Neighboring municipalities===
===Neighboring municipalities===
*Shiga Prefecture
Shiga Prefecture
**[[Maibara, Shiga|Maibara]]
*[[Aishō, Shiga|Aishō]]
**[[Higashiōmi]]
*[[Higashiōmi]]
**[[Taga, Shiga|Taga]]
*[[Kōra, Shiga|Kōra]]
**[[Kōra, Shiga|Kōra]]
*[[Maibara, Shiga|Maibara]]
**[[Toyosato, Shiga|Toyosato]]
*[[Taga, Shiga|Taga]]
**[[Aishō, Shiga|Aishō]]
*[[Toyosato, Shiga|Toyosato]]

==History==
[[File:Hikone castle17s3200.jpg|thumb|left|[[Hikone Castle]]]]
[[File:Nakasendo in Tsuzuracho Hikone 20110809.jpg|thumb|left|Nakasendo]]
Hikone was originally a market town that developed around a Buddhist temple. The temple was called ''Hogon-ji'' and was said to have been founded in 1080.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=International Dictionary of Historic Places, Volume 5: Asia and Oceania|last=|first=|publisher=Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers|year=1996|isbn=1-884964-04-4|editor-last=Schellinger|editor-first=Paul|location=Chicago|pages=338, 339|editor-last2=Salkin|editor-first2=Robert}}</ref>

Hikone's most famous historical site is [[Hikone Castle]]. Its construction was begun in 1603 by Ii Naokatsu, son of the former lord, [[Ii Naomasa]], but was not completed until 1622. Naokatsu's lands had been taken from him in the interval by the [[Tokugawa shogunate]], and when his brother Naotake assumed control of [[Ōmi Province]], he was able to complete the [[Japanese castle|castle]] by collecting stones from the former [[Sawayama Castle]].

When the [[Meiji period]] began in 1868, many castles were scheduled to be dismantled and only a request from the [[Emperor Meiji]] himself, touring the area, kept Hikone Castle intact. Today it remains one of the oldest original-construction castles in Japan. In 1937, Hikone became a charter city and developed into a small center of light commerce and industry.<ref name=":0" /> In 1999, a small area south of the castle, called the Yume Kyōbashi Castle Road, was built in the old style and attracts visitors keen to see modern construction fused with traditional looks. Even the [[Kansai Urban Bank]] in this district has remodeled itself to fit in with the surrounding structures.

The [[Chōsenjin Kaidō]] and the [[Nakasendō]] were passed through Hikone. The Nakasendo was one of the most important trading routes during the [[Edo period]], and is home to two former [[shukuba|post stations]], [[Toriimoto-juku]] and [[Takamiya-juku]].


==Climate==
===Climate===
Hikone has a [[Humid subtropical climate]] (Köppen ''Cfa'') characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Hikone is 14.6&nbsp;°C. The average annual rainfall is 1810&nbsp;mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.4&nbsp;°C, and lowest in January, at around 3.6&nbsp;°C.<ref>[https://en.climate-data.org/asia/japan/shiga/hikone-4805/ Hikone climate data]</ref> The highest recorded temperature was 37.7&nbsp;°C (July 26, 2014) and the lowest was -11.3&nbsp;°C (January 23, 1904).
Hikone has a [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Cfa'') with hot, humid summers and cool winters. Precipitation is significant throughout the year, but is somewhat lower in winter.


{{Weather box
{{Weather box
|width=auto
|location = Hikone Local Meteorological Office. (Shiromachi Hikone, elevation {{convert|87|m|ft|abbr=on}})
|metric first = yes
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|single line = yes
|location = Hikone (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1893−present)

|Jan record high C = 17.2
|Jan record high C = 17.2
|Feb record high C = 19.9
|Feb record high C = 19.9
Line 72: Line 130:
|Jul record high C = 37.7
|Jul record high C = 37.7
|Aug record high C = 37.5
|Aug record high C = 37.5
|Sep record high C = 35.7
|Sep record high C = 36.5
|Oct record high C = 32.1
|Oct record high C = 32.1
|Nov record high C = 24.4
|Nov record high C = 26.1
|Dec record high C = 20.7
|Dec record high C = 21.4
|Jan high C = 7.1

|Jan high C = 6.8
|Feb high C = 7.7
|Feb high C = 7.3
|Mar high C = 11.6
|Mar high C = 11.0
|Apr high C = 17.4
|Apr high C = 17.3
|May high C = 22.6
|May high C = 22.1
|Jun high C = 26.0
|Jun high C = 25.7
|Jul high C = 30.2
|Jul high C = 29.7
|Aug high C = 32.1
|Aug high C = 31.6
|Sep high C = 27.6
|Sep high C = 27.3
|Oct high C = 21.8
|Oct high C = 21.3
|Nov high C = 15.6
|Nov high C = 15.3
|Dec high C = 9.8
|Dec high C = 9.8
|year high C = 18.8
|Jan mean C = 3.9
|Feb mean C = 4.2

|Jan mean C = 3.7
|Mar mean C = 7.2
|Feb mean C = 3.9
|Apr mean C = 12.4
|Mar mean C = 6.9
|May mean C = 17.6
|Apr mean C = 12.3
|Jun mean C = 21.8
|May mean C = 17.2
|Jul mean C = 26.1
|Jun mean C = 21.4
|Aug mean C = 27.5
|Jul mean C = 25.6
|Sep mean C = 23.6
|Aug mean C = 27.1
|Oct mean C = 17.7
|Sep mean C = 23.2
|Nov mean C = 11.7
|Oct mean C = 17.1
|Dec mean C = 6.5
|Nov mean C = 11.4
|Jan low C = 1.0
|Dec mean C = 6.3
|Feb low C = 1.0
|Mar low C = 3.5

|Jan low C = 0.7
|Apr low C = 8.1
|Feb low C = 0.8
|May low C = 13.5
|Mar low C = 3.3
|Jun low C = 18.4
|Apr low C = 8.0
|Jul low C = 22.9
|May low C = 13.1
|Aug low C = 24.1
|Jun low C = 18.0
|Sep low C = 20.2
|Jul low C = 22.4
|Oct low C = 14.0
|Aug low C = 23.6
|Nov low C = 8.0
|Sep low C = 19.9
|Dec low C = 3.2
|Oct low C = 13.4
|Nov low C = 7.6
|Dec low C = 2.9
|year low C = 11.1

|Jan record low C = -11.3
|Jan record low C = -11.3
|Feb record low C = -8.9
|Feb record low C = -8.9
Line 130: Line 182:
|Nov record low C = -2.4
|Nov record low C = -2.4
|Dec record low C = -8.7
|Dec record low C = -8.7
|precipitation colour = green

|Jan precipitation mm = 106.9
|Jan precipitation mm = 112.0
|Feb precipitation mm = 102.2
|Feb precipitation mm = 99.6
|Mar precipitation mm = 120.1
|Mar precipitation mm = 114.9
|Apr precipitation mm = 114.1
|Apr precipitation mm = 117.3
|May precipitation mm = 150.2
|May precipitation mm = 146.9
|Jun precipitation mm = 190.5
|Jun precipitation mm = 175.6
|Jul precipitation mm = 217.7
|Jul precipitation mm = 219.0
|Aug precipitation mm = 109.0
|Aug precipitation mm = 124.6
|Sep precipitation mm = 168.8
|Sep precipitation mm = 167.7
|Oct precipitation mm = 115.5
|Oct precipitation mm = 140.7
|Nov precipitation mm = 84.5
|Nov precipitation mm = 85.8
|Dec precipitation mm = 91.1
|Dec precipitation mm = 105.9
|year precipitation mm = 1570.9
|year precipitation mm = 1610.0

|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 14.1
|Jan precipitation days = 14.1
|Feb precipitation days = 12.3
|Feb precipitation days = 12.1
|Mar precipitation days = 12.4
|Mar precipitation days = 12.2
|Apr precipitation days = 10.3
|Apr precipitation days = 10.6
|May precipitation days = 10.4
|May precipitation days = 9.8
|Jun precipitation days = 11.8
|Jun precipitation days = 11.6
|Jul precipitation days = 12.3
|Jul precipitation days = 12.0
|Aug precipitation days = 7.5
|Aug precipitation days = 8.0
|Sep precipitation days = 10.4
|Sep precipitation days = 10.3
|Oct precipitation days = 8.9
|Oct precipitation days = 9.0
|Nov precipitation days = 8.9
|Nov precipitation days = 8.6
|Dec precipitation days = 12.1
|Dec precipitation days = 13.2
|Jan snow cm = 36

|Jan snow cm = 44
|Feb snow cm = 29
|Feb snow cm = 40
|Mar snow cm = 6
|Mar snow cm = 6
|Apr snow cm = －
|Apr snow cm = 0
|May snow cm = －
|May snow cm = 0
|Jun snow cm = －
|Jun snow cm = 0
|Jul snow cm = －
|Jul snow cm = 0
|Aug snow cm = －
|Aug snow cm = 0
|Sep snow cm = －
|Sep snow cm = 0
|Oct snow cm = －
|Oct snow cm = 0
|Nov snow cm = 0
|Nov snow cm = 0
|Dec snow cm = 14
|Dec snow cm = 11
|year snow cm = 104
|year snow cm = 81
|unit snow days = 3 cm
|Jan snow days = 5.3
|Feb snow days = 4.8
|Mar snow days = 0.9
|Apr snow days = 0
|May snow days = 0
|Jun snow days = 0
|Jul snow days = 0
|Aug snow days = 0
|Sep snow days = 0
|Oct snow days = 0
|Nov snow days = 0
|Dec snow days = 1.8
|humidity colour= green
|Jan humidity = 75
|Feb humidity = 74
|Mar humidity = 72
|Apr humidity = 70
|May humidity = 71
|Jun humidity = 76
|Jul humidity = 77
|Aug humidity = 73
|Sep humidity = 75
|Oct humidity = 74
|Nov humidity = 74
|Dec humidity = 75
|Jan sun = 99.8
|Feb sun = 115.6
|Mar sun = 162.6
|Apr sun = 183.8
|May sun = 197.3
|Jun sun = 154.4
|Jul sun = 169.8
|Aug sun = 213.0
|Sep sun = 162.9
|Oct sun = 163.0
|Nov sun = 134.6
|Dec sun = 106.4
|year sun = 1863.3
|source 1 = [[Japan Meteorological Agency|JMA]]<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/rank_s.php?prec_no=60&block_no=47761&year=&month=&day=&view=h0
|script-title=ja:観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値）
| publisher = [[Japan Meteorological Agency|JMA]]
| access-date = February 26, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web
| url = https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/nml_sfc_ym.php?prec_no=60&block_no=47761&year=&month=&day=&view=h0
|script-title=ja:気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値）
| publisher = [[Japan Meteorological Agency|JMA]]
| access-date = February 26, 2022}}</ref>}}


==Demographics==
|Jan sun = 98.5
Per Japanese census data,<ref>[https://www.citypopulation.de/php/japan-shiga.php Hikone population statistics]</ref> the population of Hikone has increased steadily over the past 60 years.
|Feb sun = 110.9

|Mar sun = 153.3
{{Historical populations
|Apr sun = 182.1
|May sun = 191.6
| 1920 | 55,280
|Jun sun = 153.7
| 1930 | 62,877
|Jul sun = 167.6
| 1940 | 64,264
|Aug sun = 209.1
| 1950 | 77,606
|Sep sun = 156.5
| 1960 | 72,931
|Oct sun = 163.3
| 1970 | 78,753
|Nov sun = 130.1
| 1980 | 89,701
|Dec sun = 109.3
| 1990 | 99,519
| 2000 | 107,860
|year sun = 1825.8
| 2010 | 112,156
|source 1 = [[Japan Meteorological Agency]] (1981 - 2010)<ref>{{cite web
| 2020 | 113,647
| url = http://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/index.php?prec_no=60&block_no=47761&year=&month=&day=&view=
|align = none
|script-title =ja:彦根　1981-2010年 |language=Japanese| accessdate = 29 June 2018 | publisher = Japan Meteorological Agency
| footnote =
}}</ref>
|source 2 = Japan Meteorological Agency<ref>{{cite web
| url = http://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/view/rank_s.php?prec_no=60&block_no=47761&year=&month=&day=&view=
|script-title=ja:彦根　観測史上1～10位の値 | accessdate = 29 June 2018 | |language=Japanese| publisher = Japan Meteorological Agency}}</ref>
}}
}}

==History==
[[File:Nakasendo in Tsuzuracho Hikone 20110809.jpg|thumb|left|180px|[[Nakasendō|Nakasendo]]]]
[[File:Hikone castle17s3200.jpg|thumb|left|180px|[[Hikone Castle]]]]
Hikone is part of ancient [[Ōmi Province]] and was originally a market town that developed around a Buddhist temple called Hogon-ji which was founded in the [[Heian period]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|title=International Dictionary of Historic Places, Volume 5: Asia and Oceania|publisher=Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers|year=1996|isbn=1-884964-04-4|editor-last=Schellinger|editor-first=Paul|location=Chicago|pages=338, 339|editor-last2=Salkin|editor-first2=Robert}}</ref> The site was a natural bottleneck on the route of the [[Tōsandō]] (later the [[Nakasendō]]) highway connecting [[Heian-kyō]] with the eastern provinces. Hikone is home to two former [[shukuba|post stations]], [[Toriimoto-juku]] and [[Takamiya-juku]] on the Nakasendō and the [[Chōsenjin Kaidō]] also passed through the area. Strategically, it was a vital point in protecting the capital from attack from the east. In the [[Sengoku period]], this area was controlled by the [[Azai clan]], who were based in northern Ōmi, and who built a castle called Sawayama Castle. The Azai were defeated by [[Oda Nobunaga]], who assigned Sawayama Castle to his general [[Niwa Nagahide]]. Under [[Toyotomi Hideyoshi]], this closest advisor, [[Ishida Mitsunari]] was entrusted with the castle. After Ishida Mitsunari was defeated at the [[Battle of Sekigahara]] in 1601, [[Tokugawa Ieyasu]] appointed his general [[Ii Naomasa]] as ''[[daimyō]]'' of a new domain centered at Sawayama Castle. Ii Naomasa began the construction of [[Hikone Castle]], which was completed by his son [[Ii Naokatsu]] in 1622. The area remained under the control of [[Hikone Domain]] through the end of the [[Edo Period]].<ref name="Shiseki">{{cite book |last1=Isomura |first1=Yukio |last2=Sakai |first2=Hideya |title=(国指定史跡事典) National Historic Site Encyclopedia |date=2012 |publisher=学生社 |isbn=4311750404}}{{in lang|ja}}</ref>

The town of Hikone was established on April 1, 1889 within [[Inukami District, Shiga]] with the creation of the modern municipalities system. It was raised to city status on February 11, 1937 by merging with the neighboring villages of Matsubara, Aonami, Kitaaoyagi, Fukumitsu and Chimoto. The city escaped major damage in [[World War II]].

In 2003, meetings were held to discuss the merger of Hikone with the towns of [[Toyosato, Shiga|Toyosato]], [[Kōra, Shiga|Kōra]], and [[Taga, Shiga|Taga]] (all from [[Inukami District, Shiga|Inukami District]]). However, a survey conducted by the city in February 2004, revealed that most citizens opposed the merger, leading the city government to shelve the proposal.{{Citation needed|date=January 2013}}

==Government==
[[file:Hikone City Hall.jpg|right|thumb|Hikone City Hall]]
Hikone has a [[mayor-council]] form of government with a directly elected mayor and a [[unicameral]] city council of 24 members. Hikone, collectively with the towns of Inukami District, contributes four members to the Shiga Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Shiga 2nd district of the [[House of Representatives of Japan|lower house]] of the [[Diet of Japan]].

==Economy==
[[File:Hikone Apples 07.jpg|thumb|Hikone apples, a local [[apple]] cultivar]]
The key industries of Hikone are the manufacturing of [[butsudan]], [[textile]]s, and [[valve]]s. [[Bridgestone]] has a tire manufacturing plant here. [[Fujitec]], [[Ohmi Railway]], and Heiwadō (the largest supermarket chain in Shiga) are headquartered in Hikone.<ref name=":0" />

In 1999, a small area south of the castle, called the Yume Kyōbashi Castle Road, was built in the old style and attracts visitors keen to see modern construction fused with traditional looks. Even the [[Kansai Urban Bank]] in this district has remodeled itself to fit in with the surrounding structures.


==Education==
==Education==
[[File:ShigaUniv Hikone AssemblyHall01.jpg|thumb|Shiga University]]
[[File:ShigaUniv Hikone AssemblyHall01.jpg|thumb|Shiga University]]
There are three universities in Hikone: [[Seisen University (Shiga)|Seisen University]], [[Shiga University]], and [[The University of Shiga Prefecture]] (USP).
There are three universities in Hikone: [[Seisen University (Shiga)|Seisen University]], [[Shiga University]], and [[The University of Shiga Prefecture]] (USP).

Hikone is also the home of the [[Japan Center for Michigan Universities]] (JCMU), a facility operated jointly by a consortium of the [[List of colleges and universities in Michigan|fifteen public universities]] in the [[Michigan|State of Michigan]] and the government of Shiga Prefecture (in coordination with USP) that offers programs for American university students and scholars for the study of [[Japanese language]] and [[Culture of Japan|culture]], as well as courses in English for the citizens of Shiga Prefecture. The Michigan Center, as it is known, was founded in 1989, under the auspices of the Michigan-Shiga Sister State Agreement, the oldest such relationship between a US state and Japanese prefectures.


Hikone has 17 public elementary schools and seven public middle schools operated by the city government and one middle school operated by the Shiga Prefectural Department of Education. The prefecture also operates six public high schools and two special education schools for the handicapped. There are also two private high schools.
The Hikone campus of Shiga University ([[List of national universities in Japan|National]]), the 1st [[Higher Education]] Institution in Hikone and also in [[Shiga Prefecture]] as a university, has its origin in the establishment of the {{Interlanguage link multi|Hikone Commercial College|2=ja|3=彦根高等商業学校|preserve=1}} in 1922.


==Transportation==
USP is known for its award-winning{{Citation needed|date=February 2013}} Schools of Engineering, Environmental Science, and Human Cultures. Recently, USP has begun its Department of Intercultural Communication where most students can study abroad for up to a year as their graduation requirement.
===Railway===
[[File:JR logo (west).svg|20px]] [[West Japan Railway Company|JR West]] – [[Biwako Line]]
* {{STN|Hikone}} - {{STN|Minami-Hikone}} - {{STN|Kawase}} - {{STN|Inae}}
[[File:Ohtetsu Logomark.svg|20px]] [[Ohmi Railway]] – [[Ohmi Railway Main Line|Main Line]]
* {{STN|Fujitec-mae}} - {{STN|Toriimoto}} - {{STN|Hikone}} - {{STN|Hikone-Serikawa}} - {{STN|Hikoneguchi}}


===Highway===
Hikone is also the home of the [[Japan Center for Michigan Universities]] (JCMU), a facility operated jointly by a consortium of the [[List of colleges and universities in Michigan|fifteen public universities]] in the [[Michigan|State of Michigan]] and the government of Shiga Prefecture (in coordination with USP) that offers programs for American university students and scholars for the study of [[Japanese language]] and [[Culture of Japan|culture]], as well as courses in English for the citizens of Shiga Prefecture. The Michigan Center, as it is known, was founded in 1989, under the auspices of the Michigan-Shiga Sister State Agreement, the oldest such relationship between a US state and Japanese prefecture.
* [[File:JP Expressway E1.svg|20px|link=|alt=]] [[Meishin Expressway]]
* {{jct|country=JPN|Route|8}}
* {{jct|country=JPN|Route|306}}


==Sister cities==
==Sister cities==
Hikone is [[town twinning|twinned]] with the following two cities.<ref>[http://www.city.hikone.shiga.jp/english/inter/index.html International relations] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121214050145/http://www.city.hikone.shiga.jp/english/inter/index.html |date=2012-12-14 }} Retrieved 7 November 2012</ref>
Hikone is [[town twinning|twinned]] with the following two cities:<ref>[http://www.city.hikone.shiga.jp/english/inter/index.html International relations] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121214050145/http://www.city.hikone.shiga.jp/english/inter/index.html |date=2012-12-14 }} Retrieved 7 November 2012</ref>
*{{flagicon|United States}} [[Ann Arbor, Michigan]], United States 1969
*{{flagicon|China}} [[Xiangtan]], [[Hunan]], China


==Local attractions==
* {{flagicon|United States}} [[Ann Arbor, Michigan]], USA
*[[Carrom]], unlike in most parts of Japan, carrom is still popular in Hikone ever since it was introduced in the early 20th century.
* {{flagicon|China}} [[Xiangtan]], China
*[[Hikone Castle]], National Treasure and Special National Historic Site
*[[Kōjinyama Kofun]], National Historic Site
*[[Lake Biwa]]
*[[Sawayama Castle]] ruins


== See also ==
== Noted people from Hikone ==
* [[Shiga University]]
* [[University of Shiga Prefecture]]
* [[Carrom]]
* [[Oniroku Dan]]
* [[Oniroku Dan]]
* [[Yoshihide Fukao]]
* [[Yoshihide Fukao]]
* [[Takanori Nishikawa]]
* [[Hikonyan]]
* [[Hikonyan]]
* [[Ii clan]]
* [[Yoshihide Kiryū]]
* [[Yoshihide Kiryū]]
* [[Ii Naokatsu]]
* [[Ii Naomasa]]
* [[Takanori Nishikawa]]
* [[Ippei Shimamura]]
* [[Ippei Shimamura]]
* [[Kizo Yasui]]


==References==
==References==
Line 227: Line 358:
==External links==
==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.city.hikone.shiga.jp/ Hikone City official website] {{ja icon}} / {{en icon}} / {{pt icon}}
* [http://www.city.hikone.shiga.jp/ Hikone City official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090802011517/http://www.city.hikone.shiga.jp/english/index.html |date=2009-08-02 }} {{in lang|ja|en|pt}}
{{wikivoyage|Hikone}}
{{wikivoyage|Hikone}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20041208054618/http://www.isp.msu.edu/jcmu/ Information on the Japan Center for Michigan Universities and its academic programs]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20041208054618/http://www.isp.msu.edu/jcmu/ Information on the Japan Center for Michigan Universities and its academic programs]


{{Shiga}}
{{Shiga}}

{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


[[Category:Cities in Shiga Prefecture]]
[[Category:Cities in Shiga Prefecture]]
[[Category:States and territories established in 1937]]
[[Category:Hikone, Shiga]]

Latest revision as of 23:02, 5 October 2024

"Hikone" redirects here. For other uses, see Hikone (disambiguation).
Hikone
彦根市
City
City central, Lake Biwa and Hikone castle viewed from Sawayama castle ruin
City central, Lake Biwa and Hikone castle viewed from Sawayama castle ruin
Flag of Hikone
Flag
Official seal of Hikone
Emblem
Location of Hikone in Shiga Prefecture
Location of Hikone in Shiga Prefecture
Hikone is located in Japan
Hikone
Hikone
Location in Japan
Coordinates: 35°16′N 136°16′E / 35.267°N 136.267°E / 35.267; 136.267
CountryJapan
RegionKansai
PrefectureShiga
Government
 • MayorHiroyuki Wada (since May 2021)
Area
 • Total
196.84 km2 (76.00 sq mi)
Population
 (August 31, 2021)
 • Total
111,958
 • Density570/km2 (1,500/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+09:00 (JST)
City hall address4-2 Motomachi, Hikone-shi, Shiga-ken 522-8501
Phone number0749-30-6111
ClimateCfa
WebsiteOfficial website
Symbols
FlowerIris
TreeTachibana Orange

Hikone (彦根市, Hikone-shi) is a city located in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. As of 1 August 2021, the city had an estimated population of 111,958 in 49066 households and a population density of 570 persons per km².[1] The total area of the city is 196.84 square kilometres (76.00 sq mi).

Geography

[edit]

Hikone is located in central Shiga Prefecture, on the eastern shore of Lake Biwa, and extending inland to the Ibuki Mountains. Parts of the city are within the borders of the Biwako Quasi-National Park.

Neighboring municipalities

[edit]

Shiga Prefecture

Climate

[edit]

Hikone has a Humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cfa) characterized by warm summers and cool winters with light to no snowfall. The average annual temperature in Hikone is 14.6 °C. The average annual rainfall is 1810 mm with September as the wettest month. The temperatures are highest on average in August, at around 26.4 °C, and lowest in January, at around 3.6 °C.[2] The highest recorded temperature was 37.7 °C (July 26, 2014) and the lowest was -11.3 °C (January 23, 1904).

Climate data for Hikone (1991−2020 normals, extremes 1893−present)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 17.2
(63.0) 		19.9
(67.8) 		24.5
(76.1) 		28.7
(83.7) 		31.6
(88.9) 		35.2
(95.4) 		37.7
(99.9) 		37.5
(99.5) 		36.5
(97.7) 		32.1
(89.8) 		26.1
(79.0) 		21.4
(70.5) 		37.7
(99.9)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 7.1
(44.8) 		7.7
(45.9) 		11.6
(52.9) 		17.4
(63.3) 		22.6
(72.7) 		26.0
(78.8) 		30.2
(86.4) 		32.1
(89.8) 		27.6
(81.7) 		21.8
(71.2) 		15.6
(60.1) 		9.8
(49.6) 		19.1
(66.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) 3.9
(39.0) 		4.2
(39.6) 		7.2
(45.0) 		12.4
(54.3) 		17.6
(63.7) 		21.8
(71.2) 		26.1
(79.0) 		27.5
(81.5) 		23.6
(74.5) 		17.7
(63.9) 		11.7
(53.1) 		6.5
(43.7) 		15.0
(59.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 1.0
(33.8) 		1.0
(33.8) 		3.5
(38.3) 		8.1
(46.6) 		13.5
(56.3) 		18.4
(65.1) 		22.9
(73.2) 		24.1
(75.4) 		20.2
(68.4) 		14.0
(57.2) 		8.0
(46.4) 		3.2
(37.8) 		11.5
(52.7)
Record low °C (°F) −11.3
(11.7) 		−8.9
(16.0) 		−7.9
(17.8) 		−2.1
(28.2) 		0.9
(33.6) 		6.9
(44.4) 		12.8
(55.0) 		14.0
(57.2) 		8.3
(46.9) 		1.5
(34.7) 		−2.4
(27.7) 		−8.7
(16.3) 		−11.3
(11.7)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 112.0
(4.41) 		99.6
(3.92) 		114.9
(4.52) 		117.3
(4.62) 		146.9
(5.78) 		175.6
(6.91) 		219.0
(8.62) 		124.6
(4.91) 		167.7
(6.60) 		140.7
(5.54) 		85.8
(3.38) 		105.9
(4.17) 		1,610
(63.39)
Average snowfall cm (inches) 36
(14) 		29
(11) 		6
(2.4) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		0
(0) 		11
(4.3) 		81
(32)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 14.1 12.1 12.2 10.6 9.8 11.6 12.0 8.0 10.3 9.0 8.6 13.2 131.5
Average snowy days (≥ 3 cm) 5.3 4.8 0.9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.8 12.8
Average relative humidity (%) 75 74 72 70 71 76 77 73 75 74 74 75 74
Mean monthly sunshine hours 99.8 115.6 162.6 183.8 197.3 154.4 169.8 213.0 162.9 163.0 134.6 106.4 1,863.3
Source: JMA[3][4]

Demographics

[edit]

Per Japanese census data,[5] the population of Hikone has increased steadily over the past 60 years.

Historical population
YearPop.±%
1920 55,280—    
1930 62,877+13.7%
1940 64,264+2.2%
1950 77,606+20.8%
1960 72,931−6.0%
1970 78,753+8.0%
1980 89,701+13.9%
1990 99,519+10.9%
2000 107,860+8.4%
2010 112,156+4.0%
2020 113,647+1.3%

History

[edit]
Nakasendo
Hikone Castle

Hikone is part of ancient Ōmi Province and was originally a market town that developed around a Buddhist temple called Hogon-ji which was founded in the Heian period.[6] The site was a natural bottleneck on the route of the Tōsandō (later the Nakasendō) highway connecting Heian-kyō with the eastern provinces. Hikone is home to two former post stations, Toriimoto-juku and Takamiya-juku on the Nakasendō and the Chōsenjin Kaidō also passed through the area. Strategically, it was a vital point in protecting the capital from attack from the east. In the Sengoku period, this area was controlled by the Azai clan, who were based in northern Ōmi, and who built a castle called Sawayama Castle. The Azai were defeated by Oda Nobunaga, who assigned Sawayama Castle to his general Niwa Nagahide. Under Toyotomi Hideyoshi, this closest advisor, Ishida Mitsunari was entrusted with the castle. After Ishida Mitsunari was defeated at the Battle of Sekigahara in 1601, Tokugawa Ieyasu appointed his general Ii Naomasa as daimyō of a new domain centered at Sawayama Castle. Ii Naomasa began the construction of Hikone Castle, which was completed by his son Ii Naokatsu in 1622. The area remained under the control of Hikone Domain through the end of the Edo Period.[7]

The town of Hikone was established on April 1, 1889 within Inukami District, Shiga with the creation of the modern municipalities system. It was raised to city status on February 11, 1937 by merging with the neighboring villages of Matsubara, Aonami, Kitaaoyagi, Fukumitsu and Chimoto. The city escaped major damage in World War II.

In 2003, meetings were held to discuss the merger of Hikone with the towns of Toyosato, Kōra, and Taga (all from Inukami District). However, a survey conducted by the city in February 2004, revealed that most citizens opposed the merger, leading the city government to shelve the proposal.[citation needed]

Government

[edit]
Hikone City Hall

Hikone has a mayor-council form of government with a directly elected mayor and a unicameral city council of 24 members. Hikone, collectively with the towns of Inukami District, contributes four members to the Shiga Prefectural Assembly. In terms of national politics, the city is part of Shiga 2nd district of the lower house of the Diet of Japan.

Economy

[edit]
Hikone apples, a local apple cultivar

The key industries of Hikone are the manufacturing of butsudan, textiles, and valves. Bridgestone has a tire manufacturing plant here. Fujitec, Ohmi Railway, and Heiwadō (the largest supermarket chain in Shiga) are headquartered in Hikone.[6]

In 1999, a small area south of the castle, called the Yume Kyōbashi Castle Road, was built in the old style and attracts visitors keen to see modern construction fused with traditional looks. Even the Kansai Urban Bank in this district has remodeled itself to fit in with the surrounding structures.

Education

[edit]
Shiga University

There are three universities in Hikone: Seisen University, Shiga University, and The University of Shiga Prefecture (USP).

Hikone is also the home of the Japan Center for Michigan Universities (JCMU), a facility operated jointly by a consortium of the fifteen public universities in the State of Michigan and the government of Shiga Prefecture (in coordination with USP) that offers programs for American university students and scholars for the study of Japanese language and culture, as well as courses in English for the citizens of Shiga Prefecture. The Michigan Center, as it is known, was founded in 1989, under the auspices of the Michigan-Shiga Sister State Agreement, the oldest such relationship between a US state and Japanese prefectures.

Hikone has 17 public elementary schools and seven public middle schools operated by the city government and one middle school operated by the Shiga Prefectural Department of Education. The prefecture also operates six public high schools and two special education schools for the handicapped. There are also two private high schools.

Transportation

[edit]

Railway

[edit]

JR West – Biwako Line

Ohmi Railway – Main Line

Highway

[edit]

Sister cities

[edit]

Hikone is twinned with the following two cities:[8]

Local attractions

[edit]

Noted people from Hikone

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Hikone city official statistics" (in Japanese). Japan.
  2. ^ Hikone climate data
  3. ^ 観測史上1～10位の値（年間を通じての値）. JMA. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
  4. ^ 気象庁 / 平年値（年・月ごとの値）. JMA. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
  5. ^ Hikone population statistics
  6. ^ a b Schellinger, Paul; Salkin, Robert, eds. (1996). International Dictionary of Historic Places, Volume 5: Asia and Oceania. Chicago: Fitzroy Dearborn Publishers. pp. 338, 339. ISBN 1-884964-04-4.
  7. ^ Isomura, Yukio; Sakai, Hideya (2012). (国指定史跡事典) National Historic Site Encyclopedia. 学生社. ISBN 4311750404.(in Japanese)
  8. ^ International relations Archived 2012-12-14 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 7 November 2012
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hikone, Shiga.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Hikone.
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