Photo of Kumamoto Castle in Kyusyu Japan Visited in late December 2015

I visited Kumamoto Castle at the end of December 2015. At the entrance is a sculpture of Kiyomasa Kato, who built the castle.

Unfortunately, the weather on this day was cloudy with occasional rain.

The inside seems to be an expansive park, but it’s cold and raining, so there are no crowds.

I wonder if the green color is vivid except in winter.

The height of the stone wall is about 20m in some places.

Kumamoto Castle had been extended, such as the addition of the towers through the Edo period after it was completed in 1610. It was called an impregnable castle, demonstrating its value in the Meiji era. Satsuma rebellion in the 10th year of the Meiji period (1877), the Saigo Army’s rebellion failed without being able to conquer Kumamoto Castle, where government forces defended in the siege. At this time, the defense forces had 4,000 soldiers, and the attack side was 14000 soldiers. The government forces protected them for 52 days of holding the castle.

It becomes steep gradually so that an enemy can’t climb.

Maybe you don’t know this. Stonewall, one by one, is greater than the person’s head.

This staircase is likely to be attacked from both sides at the time of the attack.

There are several corners before the Honmaru (castle keep), and you will be attacked from all sides to the garrison.

There is a passage across the underground named Kuragari Turo, rare in a Japanese castle.

There is a Japanese-style cafe; we can have warm Japanese tea and sweets.

View from the top of the Kumamoto Castle

The inside is like a museum, with various documents and exhibits.

Wooden model of Kumamoto castle.

A different view from the top floor of Kumamoto Castle.

You can see the center of the city, a Different view from the top floor of Kumamoto Castle.

It’s cold for a walk in midwinter.

You can see the square.

One of the giant towers. Kumamoto Castle is famous for having large battle towers lining up.

One of the rooms in Honmaru.

The inside of the third tower. It was cold walking around in socks. Even now, in Japan, any indoor home shoes are prohibited.

A large castle tower (Dai-Tensyu) and a small building (Sho-Tensyu).

From the opposite direction.

I think it is the third tower, inside is shown to the public.

As is expected, it is powerful as it is said to be Japan’s three fantastic castles. It’s an important historical and cultural asset, and it’s also a tourism resource. The damage is terrible from an earthquake disaster in the spring of 2016. I hope for reconstruction as soon as possible.
(04-June-2016)