Written by Jane Pipkin
Ohmi Marine Hikone Port, also known as Hikone Harbor, is a harbor from which sightseeing boats to Chikubushima Island depart.
There are a variety of boat tours to choose from, some of which are seasonal. These include:
- Regular sightseeing boat (to Chikubushima Island)
- Touring Takeshima Island
- A mini cruise overlooking Hikone Castle
- Kaizu Osaki Cherry Blossom Viewing Boat
- Lake Biwa Sunset Beer Cruise
- Tsuruga Mizushima route
- First sunrise cruise
- New Year’s Shrine visit cruise
Keep in mind, all these boat tours have different prices, timings, and seasonal avaliability. We recommend looking on the website for more specific details.
The most popular is the regular sightseeing boat that takes you to Chikubushima Island. Costing ¥3,500 for a round-trip ticket for adults (¥1,750 for children), this scenic boat ride will get you to the island in around 40 minutes.
Note: The ticket price increased in March 2025 from ¥3,200 to ¥3,500.
From March to November, the cruise runs four times a day: 9 a.m., 10 a.m., 12 p.m., and 2 p.m. Although you can buy your tickets at the counter at the harbor, we recommend reserving or buying them online just to be sure. If you are going to buy your tickets there and then, make sure to do so no later than 15 minutes before departure.
Once on Chikubushima Island, you have betweenn 70 to 80 minutes to explore the island. Make sure to bring some cash with you, as you will need to pay ¥600 (¥300 for children) to enter the island.
How to get there
You can catch a free shuttle bus from the plaza outside Hikone Station, which takes you directly to the harbor. The timetable changes depending on the season, however, the regular schedule aligns with the cruise timetable (mostly running every hour or so).
If you miss the bus, you can walk from Hikone Station. It takes about 35 minutes, but it’s a pretty straightforward route, mostly along pedestrian-friendly streets.
- 2.0 km from Hikone Station Biwako Line (A13)
