I was just at Hikone Castle a couple of weeks ago, checking to see if it would make a good alternative suggestion during the time Himeji is "under wraps." Hikone is much smaller but equally beautiful, and just as close to the station as Himeji but the station is not on the shinkansen line - not even close. Hikone has the advantage of an even better view from the top, out over Lake Biwa. I think that for those who wish to see an authentic feudal castle from the Kyoto area, Hikone makes a very fine choice.