the pro-shogunate Ōgaki Domain, and in other locations. The new Meiji government confirmed him as imperial governor of Hikone. When the new government ordered the dismantling of all feudal-era fortification nationwide, Hikone Castle was spared by a direct request from the emperor himself, who was touring the area. This preserved Hikone Castle intact. Today it remains one of the oldest original-construction castles in Japan. In 1934, the grounds of the castle were planted with over 1,000 Yoshino cherry trees. The castle and its grounds were donated by the Ii clan to the city of Hikone in 1944. During World War II, the city of Hikone was scheduled for destruction by an air raid on the night of August 15, 1945, but the end of the war occurred at noon that same day and the bombing was not conducted. The main keep of Hikone Castle was designated a National Treasure by the Ministry of Education, Science, Sports and Culture in 1952. Several other structures have been accorded Important Cultural Property status: Major repairs were undertaken to the tenshu from 1957 to 1960, and on the various yagura from 1960 to 1968. In 1987, the daimyō palace was restored as the "Hikone Castle Museum". Further repairs to the castle were undertaken from 1993 to 1996. On April 6, 2006, Hikone Castle was selected as one of Japan's Top 100 Castles by the Japan Castle Foundation in 2006. The castle is about a 15-minute walk from Hikone Station on the JR West Biwako Line. Gallery See also List of Historic Sites of Japan (Shiga) List of National Treasures of Japan (castles) List of National Treasures of Japan (paintings) Hikonyan, mascot of Hikone Castle, based on the Maneki Neko folktale about Ii Naotaka. Literature External links Hikone City Hikone Castle Museum Hikone Castle Trip Report in English References 100 Fine Castles of Japan Castles in Shiga Prefecture Hikone, Shiga Ōmi Province History museums in Japan Ii clan Important Cultural Properties of Japan Museums in Shiga Prefecture National Treasures of Japan Special Historic Sites World Heritage Tentative List History of Shiga Prefecture