彦根城を英語で説明・紹介するための基本情報と、英会話に役立つ表現をシンプルでわかりやすい英語で紹介します。
英会話ダイアローグ・概要・10の質問を通して、彦根城に関する英語表現を学びます。
英語
英会話ダイアローグを読む前に知っておくと良い前提知識と情報です。
- 基本情報
- 琵琶湖の東側にあり、JR彦根駅から徒歩約15分
- 1622年に完成、井伊家が徳川家康の命で築いた
- 現存天守12城の一つで、国宝に指定されている
- ユネスコ世界遺産への登録を目指す活動が進行中
- 歴史と井伊家
- 井伊家：徳川家康に仕えた譜代大名ら彦根を約250年間治めた
- 井伊直弼（なおすけ）：幕末の大老、開国を進めたことで有名
- 彦根城は単なる観光地ではなく、日本の近世政治史とも関わる重要な舞台
- 主な特徴
- 天秤櫓：左右対称の珍しい櫓
- 太鼓門櫓：藩主が通った正門
- 玄宮園：池泉回遊式庭園で、天守を借景にした絶景が楽しめる
2人が彦根城について話しています。
城の歴史、現存天守や玄宮園といった見どころ、四季の美しさ、人気マスコットのひこにゃんなどを話題にしています。
会話 / dialogue
Hey Key, I’ve been reading about Japanese castles lately, and Hikone Castle really caught my attention.
Oh, Hikone Castle? That’s a great choice. It’s in Shiga Prefecture, near Lake Biwa.
Yes, that’s the one. I heard it’s one of the few castles with the original keep.
Exactly. Only twelve original keeps survive in Japan, and Hikone Castle is one of them. Its keep is a National Treasure.
Wow, that makes it really special. When was it built?
Construction started around 1604 and was finished in 1622. It was built by the Ii family, who were loyal to Tokugawa Ieyasu.
The Ii family… weren’t they important in Japanese history?
Yes. They ruled Hikone for more than 250 years. One famous figure was Ii Naosuke, who played a key role in opening Japan to the West in the 19th century.
That sounds fascinating. What are some unique features of the castle?
There’s the Tenbin Yagura, a turret that’s perfectly symmetrical, and the Taikomon Yagura, which was the main gate for the lords.
I’d love to see that. Does the castle also have gardens?
Yes, Genkyuen Garden. It’s a beautiful strolling garden with a pond. From there, you can see the castle keep as part of the view.
Sounds perfect for photography. Which season would you recommend for visiting?
Spring is amazing because about 1,100 cherry trees bloom. In autumn, the red leaves are stunning, and in winter the snow-covered keep looks magical.
I can imagine how beautiful it must be. No wonder it’s so popular.
Absolutely. Hikone Castle is one of the most visited spots in the region.
Is there anything modern that attracts people, apart from history and scenery?
Yes! The mascot “Hikonyan.” It’s a cute white cat wearing a samurai helmet, and visitors love meeting it.
That’s funny and unique. Do they have events at the castle too?
Of course. There’s the Hikone Castle Festival Parade in November, with samurai processions and traditional performances.
Great! How can I get there from Tokyo?
Take the Shinkansen to Maibara Station, then a local train to Hikone. The castle is about a 15-minute walk from the station.
That sounds easy. What about tickets?
Admission is around 1,000 yen for adults, and it includes entry to Genkyuen Garden as well.
Nice. I also heard it’s aiming to become a World Heritage Site. Is that true?
Yes, there’s an active campaign for UNESCO registration. It’s becoming more and more famous.
That makes me want to visit even more. I’d love to see the keep, the garden, and maybe even meet Hikonyan.
Great idea! Let’s plan a trip to Hikone soon.
概要（彦根城とは？歴史・特徴・魅力）
「彦根城」について、理解を深めるための「英語での概要」です。
彦根城
Location and History
Hikone Castle is located in Shiga Prefecture, near Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan. The castle was built by the Ii family, who were loyal to Tokugawa Ieyasu. Construction began in 1604 and was completed in 1622. The Ii clan ruled the area for more than 250 years, making the castle an important center of politics and culture during the Edo period.
The Castle Keep and Structures
The castle has one of only twelve original keeps still standing in Japan. Its three-story keep is a National Treasure. Hikone Castle is also famous for its special buildings, such as the Tenbin Yagura, a perfectly symmetrical turret, and the Taikomon Yagura, which served as the main gate. These structures show the unique style and strength of Japanese castles.
Gardens and Scenery
Beside the castle, visitors can enjoy Genkyuen Garden, a strolling garden with a large pond. From the garden, the castle keep can be seen as part of the landscape. Hikone Castle is beautiful in every season. In spring, about 1,100 cherry trees bloom. In autumn, the red leaves are stunning. In winter, the snow-covered keep looks magical.
Culture and Popularity
Hikone Castle is also known for its mascot, “Hikonyan,” a white cat wearing a samurai helmet. This character has made the castle popular with people of all ages. Every November, the Hikone Castle Festival Parade takes place, with samurai processions and traditional performances. Today, the castle is aiming to be registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which shows its value not only in Japan but also to the world.
10の質問（彦根城の基本知識）
「彦根城」について、理解を深めるための「英語での10の質問」です。
1: What is Hikone Castle?
Hikone Castle is a Japanese castle in Shiga Prefecture. It is one of only twelve castles with an original keep still standing today.
2: When was Hikone Castle built?
Construction began in 1604 and was completed in 1622. It was built by the Ii family under the order of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
3: Who were the Ii family?
The Ii family were powerful lords who were loyal to the Tokugawa shogunate. They ruled Hikone for more than 250 years.
4: Why is Hikone Castle special?
It has an original three-story keep, which is a National Treasure of Japan, and many other historic buildings remain.
5: What are some famous structures in the castle?
The castle has the Tenbin Yagura, which is a rare symmetrical turret, and the Taikomon Yagura, which was the main gate for the lords.
6: Does Hikone Castle have a garden?
Yes, it has Genkyuen Garden, a beautiful strolling garden with a large pond where visitors can enjoy views of the castle keep.
7: What can visitors enjoy in each season?
In spring, about 1,100 cherry trees bloom. In autumn, red leaves color the grounds. In winter, the snow-covered keep looks magical.
8: Who is Hikonyan?
Hikonyan is the mascot of Hikone Castle. It is a cute white cat wearing a samurai helmet, and many visitors love it.
9: Are there events at Hikone Castle?
Yes, every November there is the Hikone Castle Festival Parade, with samurai processions and traditional performances.
10: Is Hikone Castle aiming for World Heritage status?
Yes, Hikone Castle is working toward UNESCO World Heritage registration to show its value to the world.
和訳付
会話 / dialogue
Hey Key, I’ve been reading about Japanese castles lately, and Hikone Castle really caught my attention.
ねえキー、最近日本のお城について読んでるんだけど、彦根城がすごく気になったんだ。
Oh, Hikone Castle? That’s a great choice. It’s in Shiga Prefecture, near Lake Biwa.
ああ、彦根城？いいところに目をつけたね。滋賀県にあって、琵琶湖のすぐ近くだよ。
Yes, that’s the one. I heard it’s one of the few castles with the original keep.
そうそう。それって現存天守が残ってる数少ないお城のひとつなんだろ？
Exactly. Only twelve original keeps survive in Japan, and Hikone Castle is one of them. Its keep is a National Treasure.
その通り。日本に現存する天守は12しかなくて、彦根城もそのひとつなんだ。天守は国宝に指定されてるよ。
Wow, that makes it really special. When was it built?
へえ、それはすごいな。いつ建てられたの？
Construction started around 1604 and was finished in 1622. It was built by the Ii family, who were loyal to Tokugawa Ieyasu.
1604年頃に工事が始まって、1622年に完成したんだ。徳川家康に忠実だった井伊家が築いたんだよ。
The Ii family… weren’t they important in Japanese history?
井伊家って…日本史で重要な家じゃなかったっけ？
Yes. They ruled Hikone for more than 250 years. One famous figure was Ii Naosuke, who played a key role in opening Japan to the West in the 19th century.
そうそう。彦根を250年以上治めた家だよ。有名なのは井伊直弼で、19世紀に日本を開国に導いた重要人物なんだ。
That sounds fascinating. What are some unique features of the castle?
面白いね。お城の特徴的な部分って何があるの？
There’s the Tenbin Yagura, a turret that’s perfectly symmetrical, and the Taikomon Yagura, which was the main gate for the lords.
天秤櫓っていう左右対称の珍しい櫓や、殿様が通る正門だった太鼓門櫓なんかがあるよ。
I’d love to see that. Does the castle also have gardens?
それは見てみたいな。お城には庭園もあるの？
Yes, Genkyuen Garden. It’s a beautiful strolling garden with a pond. From there, you can see the castle keep as part of the view.
あるよ、玄宮園っていう庭園だね。池のある回遊式庭園で、そこから天守を借景として眺められるんだ。
Sounds perfect for photography. Which season would you recommend for visiting?
写真にぴったりだね。どの季節に行くのがおすすめ？
Spring is amazing because about 1,100 cherry trees bloom. In autumn, the red leaves are stunning, and in winter the snow-covered keep looks magical.
春は桜が約1,100本も咲くから最高だよ。秋は紅葉が美しいし、冬は雪化粧した天守が幻想的なんだ。
I can imagine how beautiful it must be. No wonder it’s so popular.
すごくきれいなんだろうなあ。人気があるのも当然だね。
Absolutely. Hikone Castle is one of the most visited spots in the region.
うん、彦根城はこの地域で特に訪れる人が多い観光スポットなんだ。
Is there anything modern that attracts people, apart from history and scenery?
歴史とか景色以外で、現代的な魅力ってある？
Yes! The mascot “Hikonyan.” It’s a cute white cat wearing a samurai helmet, and visitors love meeting it.
あるよ！「ひこにゃん」っていうマスコット。兜をかぶった白い猫で、観光客に大人気なんだ。
That’s funny and unique. Do they have events at the castle too?
ユニークで面白いね。お城でイベントもあるの？
Of course. There’s the Hikone Castle Festival Parade in November, with samurai processions and traditional performances.
もちろん。11月には「彦根城まつりパレード」があって、武者行列や伝統芸能が見られるよ。
Great! How can I get there from Tokyo?
いいね！東京からだとどうやって行けばいい？
Take the Shinkansen to Maibara Station, then a local train to Hikone. The castle is about a 15-minute walk from the station.
新幹線で米原駅まで行って、そこから在来線で彦根駅へ。駅からお城までは徒歩15分くらいだよ。
That sounds easy. What about tickets?
それなら行きやすそうだね。入場料はどう？
Admission is around 1,000 yen for adults, and it includes entry to Genkyuen Garden as well.
大人は1,000円くらいで、玄宮園の入場もセットになってるよ。
Nice. I also heard it’s aiming to become a World Heritage Site. Is that true?
いいね。世界遺産を目指してるって聞いたけど本当？
Yes, there’s an active campaign for UNESCO registration. It’s becoming more and more famous.
うん、ユネスコの世界遺産登録を目指して活動してるんだ。だからますます有名になってきてるよ。
That makes me want to visit even more. I’d love to see the keep, the garden, and maybe even meet Hikonyan.
聞けば聞くほど行きたくなるな。天守も庭園も見たいし、ひこにゃんにも会ってみたい。
Great idea! Let’s plan a trip to Hikone soon.
いいね！近いうちに一緒に彦根に行こうよ。
概要（彦根城とは？歴史・特徴・魅力）
彦根城
Location and History
Hikone Castle is located in Shiga Prefecture, near Lake Biwa, the largest lake in Japan. The castle was built by the Ii family, who were loyal to Tokugawa Ieyasu. Construction began in 1604 and was completed in 1622. The Ii clan ruled the area for more than 250 years, making the castle an important center of politics and culture during the Edo period.
彦根城は滋賀県にあり、日本最大の湖・琵琶湖の近くに位置しています。お城は徳川家康に忠実だった井伊家によって築かれました。1604年に工事が始まり、1622年に完成しました。井伊家は250年以上にわたりこの地を治め、彦根城は江戸時代の政治と文化の重要な拠点となりました。
The Castle Keep and Structures
The castle has one of only twelve original keeps still standing in Japan. Its three-story keep is a National Treasure. Hikone Castle is also famous for its special buildings, such as the Tenbin Yagura, a perfectly symmetrical turret, and the Taikomon Yagura, which served as the main gate. These structures show the unique style and strength of Japanese castles.
彦根城には、日本に12しか残っていない現存天守のひとつがあります。その三重三階の天守は国宝に指定されています。また、左右対称の珍しい櫓である天秤櫓や、藩主の正門だった太鼓門櫓など、特別な建物でも有名です。これらの建築は、日本の城の独自の様式と堅固さを示しています。
Gardens and Scenery
Beside the castle, visitors can enjoy Genkyuen Garden, a strolling garden with a large pond. From the garden, the castle keep can be seen as part of the landscape. Hikone Castle is beautiful in every season. In spring, about 1,100 cherry trees bloom. In autumn, the red leaves are stunning. In winter, the snow-covered keep looks magical.
お城の隣には玄宮園という庭園があり、大きな池を中心とした回遊式庭園を楽しむことができます。庭園からは、景色の一部として天守を望むことができます。彦根城は四季を通じて美しい姿を見せます。春は約1,100本の桜が咲き、秋は紅葉が鮮やかに色づき、冬は雪をまとった天守が幻想的な姿になります。
Culture and Popularity
Hikone Castle is also known for its mascot, “Hikonyan,” a white cat wearing a samurai helmet. This character has made the castle popular with people of all ages. Every November, the Hikone Castle Festival Parade takes place, with samurai processions and traditional performances. Today, the castle is aiming to be registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which shows its value not only in Japan but also to the world.
彦根城はまた、兜をかぶった白い猫のマスコット「ひこにゃん」でも知られています。このキャラクターは子どもから大人まで幅広い人々に親しまれ、城の人気を高めました。毎年11月には彦根城まつりパレードが行われ、武者行列や伝統芸能が披露されます。現在、彦根城はユネスコの世界遺産登録を目指しており、日本国内だけでなく世界的にもその価値が認められつつあります。
10の質問（彦根城の基本知識）
1: What is Hikone Castle?
彦根城とは何ですか？
Hikone Castle is a Japanese castle in Shiga Prefecture. It is one of only twelve castles with an original keep still standing today.
彦根城は滋賀県にある日本の城です。現存する天守を持つ12の城のひとつです。
2: When was Hikone Castle built?
彦根城はいつ建てられましたか？
Construction began in 1604 and was completed in 1622. It was built by the Ii family under the order of Tokugawa Ieyasu.
1604年に築城が始まり、1622年に完成しました。徳川家康の命により井伊家によって建てられました。
3: Who were the Ii family?
井伊家とは誰ですか？
The Ii family were powerful lords who were loyal to the Tokugawa shogunate. They ruled Hikone for more than 250 years.
井伊家は徳川幕府に忠実な有力な大名で、250年以上にわたって彦根を治めました。
4: Why is Hikone Castle special?
なぜ彦根城は特別なのですか？
It has an original three-story keep, which is a National Treasure of Japan, and many other historic buildings remain.
三重三階の現存天守があり、日本の国宝に指定されています。また、他にも多くの歴史的建造物が残っています。
5: What are some famous structures in the castle?
城内の有名な建物には何がありますか？
The castle has the Tenbin Yagura, which is a rare symmetrical turret, and the Taikomon Yagura, which was the main gate for the lords.
天秤櫓という左右対称の珍しい櫓や、藩主の正門だった太鼓門櫓があります。
6: Does Hikone Castle have a garden?
彦根城には庭園がありますか？
Yes, it has Genkyuen Garden, a beautiful strolling garden with a large pond where visitors can enjoy views of the castle keep.
はい、玄宮園という大きな池を持つ美しい回遊式庭園があり、そこから天守を眺めることができます。
7: What can visitors enjoy in each season?
観光客は各季節に何を楽しめますか？
In spring, about 1,100 cherry trees bloom. In autumn, red leaves color the grounds. In winter, the snow-covered keep looks magical.
春には約1,100本の桜が咲き、秋には紅葉が城を彩り、冬には雪をまとった天守が幻想的な姿を見せます。
8: Who is Hikonyan?
ひこにゃんとは誰ですか？
Hikonyan is the mascot of Hikone Castle. It is a cute white cat wearing a samurai helmet, and many visitors love it.
ひこにゃんは彦根城のマスコットです。兜をかぶった白い猫で、多くの観光客に人気があります。
9: Are there events at Hikone Castle?
彦根城ではイベントはありますか？
Yes, every November there is the Hikone Castle Festival Parade, with samurai processions and traditional performances.
はい、毎年11月には彦根城まつりパレードが行われ、武者行列や伝統芸能が披露されます。
10: Is Hikone Castle aiming for World Heritage status?
彦根城は世界遺産を目指していますか？
Yes, Hikone Castle is working toward UNESCO World Heritage registration to show its value to the world.
はい、彦根城はユネスコ世界遺産登録を目指しており、その価値を世界に示そうとしています。
words & phrases
英会話ダイアローグと関連情報に出てきた単語・フレーズです（例文は各３つ）。
keep : 名詞 /kiːp/
意味: 城の中心となる主塔・天守。The strongest central tower of a castle, used for defense and residence.
（彦根城の「現存天守」を指す）
例文：
- Hikone Castle has an original keep that is a National Treasure.
「彦根城には国宝の現存天守があります。」 - The keep was used as a last place of defense.
「天守は最後の防御拠点として使われました。」 - Visitors can climb up to the keep and enjoy the view.
「観光客は天守に登って景色を楽しめます。」
loyal : 形容詞 /ˈlɔɪ.əl/
意味: 忠実な、誠実な。Faithful and showing strong support to someone or something.
（井伊家が徳川家康に忠実であったことを指す）
例文：
- The Ii family was very loyal to Tokugawa Ieyasu.
「井伊家は徳川家康にとても忠実でした。」 - A guide should be loyal to the truth when explaining history.
「ガイドは歴史を説明するとき真実に忠実であるべきです。」 - Dogs are known to be loyal animals.
「犬は忠実な動物として知られています。」
rule : 動詞 /ruːl/
意味: 支配する、統治する。To control or govern a country, region, or people.
（井伊家が彦根を250年以上治めたことを指す）
例文：
- The Ii clan ruled Hikone for more than 250 years.
「井伊家は250年以上彦根を治めました。」 - The shogunate ruled Japan during the Edo period.
「江戸時代、日本は幕府によって支配されていました。」 - A king should rule with fairness and wisdom.
「王は公正さと知恵をもって統治すべきです。」
**turret **: 名詞 /ˈtʌr.ɪt/ または /ˈtɜː.rɪt/
意味: 城の小塔、櫓。A small tower on top of a castle wall, used for defense.
（彦根城の天秤櫓や三重櫓を指す）
例文：
- Hikone Castle has a rare symmetrical turret called the Tenbin Yagura.
「彦根城には天秤櫓という珍しい左右対称の櫓があります。」 - The soldiers guarded the castle from the turrets.
「兵士たちは櫓から城を守りました。」 - Visitors can still see the old turrets around the castle grounds.
「観光客は城内に今も残る櫓を見ることができます。」
admission : 名詞 /ədˈmɪʃ.ən/
意味: 入場、入場料。The act of being allowed to enter, or the fee paid to enter.
（彦根城の入場料を指す）
例文：
- The admission to Hikone Castle is about 1,000 yen for adults.
「彦根城の入場料は大人で約1,000円です。」 - Children under six get free admission.
「6歳未満の子どもは入場無料です。」 - Admission to the event will start at 9 a.m.
「イベントへの入場は午前9時に始まります。」
詳細情報 / Further Info
関連記事（日本の城）
