Comparison

Hikone Castle Explorer! vs AR芥川城

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Hikone Castle Explorer!

Explore Japan's National Treasure, Hikone Castle, through engaging videos and interactive games. Learn about its history, design, and samurai culture with expert commentary. Experience a virtual siege and use AR to wear a historical helmet.

Highlights
  • Historical explanations via map
  • Secrets of Hikone Castle video
  • Interactive siege game
  • AR helmet experience
  • Multilingual support
Read full description

National Treasure Hikone Castle Explorer, is an an easy to understand video and game app allowing you to experience National Treasure designated Hikone Castle, in Hikone, Shiga Prefecture. Discover the castle and local areas’ story and historical culture. Why was a castle built here? Who built the castle, and how was it used? What samurai ingenuity and foresight can be found in its design? Samurai history and Japanese castle specialist Chris Glenn explains the wonders of Hikone Castle in these videos. It’s fun for all, and with a little understanding, the castle becomes even more enjoyable. Please download this app, and explore National Treasure, Hikone Castle. Main Functions ・Read explanations about Hikone Castle and Hikone Castle Museum from the map screen. ・See the Secrets of Hikone Castle Video. ・Experience the difficulty of attacking Hikone Castle in a 4 location siege game. ・Use AR to wear the helmet of Hikone’s first feudal lord, Ii Naomasa. (Supports Japanese / English / Simplified Chinese / Traditional Chinese) Production : Omi Tourism Board Supervision :Past Present Future Ltd. In collaboration with : Hikone City, S Corporation Video Production : Chiyoda Raft Inc. Application Development: xeen Inc.

About

AR芥川城

Features
Read full description

芥川城は、高槻市大字原の三好山(標高約183m)に所在する中世城郭です。 城域は東西約500m、南北約400mと大阪府下最大級の規模を誇り、曲輪や堀切、土塁などが今も良好な状態で残ります。 また、多くの文献史料により築城から廃城までの興亡が確認できる全国的にも稀有な城です。 摂津国を束ねた守護の細川高国が築城、天文22年(1553)には戦国大名の三好長慶が入り、ここを拠点として畿内に政治支配を及ぼしました。 長慶を「戦国最初の天下人」と評される所以です。城には武家をはじめ京都の寺社や公家、長慶の裁きを求める周辺の村の人々のほか、連歌師や儒学者といった多くの文化人も訪れました。 永禄11年(1568)、足利義昭を擁して上洛を目指す織田信長は、芥川城に籠る三好氏を破ると2週間ほど滞在して、天皇の勅使をはじめとする様々な人を迎えました。 その後、時代の趨勢とともに芥川城はその役目を終え、歴史の中に埋もれてきましたが、近年の研究により戦略的、政治的に重要な城郭であったと注目が高まっています。 続日本100名城。令和4年(2022)11月に史跡指定。

Screenshots

Hikone Castle Explorer!4 screens
AR芥川城4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is update cadence: AR芥川城 at fortnightly against Hikone Castle Explorer!'s every 11 months. AR芥川城 also leads on iOS requirement (12.0 vs 15.0). On price, ads, in-app purchases and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Hikone Castle Explorer! ships an update every 11 months, AR芥川城 fortnightly. The most recent releases landed on June 24, 2026 and September 12, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 6 level
Hikone Castle Explorer! versus AR芥川城: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterHikone Castle Explorer!AR芥川城
PriceFreeFree
Positive reviews50.0% of reviews—
Update frequencyEvery 11 monthsFortnightly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNoNo
MonetizationFree—
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod
Requires iOS15.012.0 — better
Further details — not scored
Size326 MB118 MB
Age rating12+4+
Developerxeen, Inc.USAC SYSTEM CO.,LTD.

In-app purchases

None

Hikone Castle Explorer!

No in-app purchases

None

AR芥川城

No in-app purchases

Questions

Is Hikone Castle Explorer! free?
Hikone Castle Explorer! is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is AR芥川城 free?
AR芥川城 is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Do Hikone Castle Explorer! or AR芥川城 have ads?
Neither Hikone Castle Explorer! nor AR芥川城 shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Hikone Castle Explorer! or AR芥川城?
Hikone Castle Explorer! ships an update every 11 months, and AR芥川城 fortnightly. Most recently, Hikone Castle Explorer! was updated on June 24, 2026 and AR芥川城 on September 12, 2026.

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