Kumamoto Castle

Kumamoto Castle is a castle in Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture. It is said to be one of Japan’s three great castles, and was built by Kato Kiyomasa. In the Meiji era, it became a stage for the Satsuma Rebellion. Thirteen structures within Kumamoto Castle are designated Important Cultural Properties. A must-see feature is the steep, defensive stone walls known as “Musha-gaeshi.” The castle grounds cover about 980,000 m² and are packed with highlights. It is also part of the “100 Famous Castles” stamp collection, and you can get the stamp here. There is also the Sukiyamaru Nikaigohiro-ma, where Noh and tea gatherings were held; the Sukiyamaru area is open to visitors and displays items such as armor, preserving an Edo-period atmosphere. From the reconstructed main keep (6 stories above ground, 1 below), you can view Kumamoto City and Mt. Aso. The Honmaru Palace is also impressive, with ornate paintings and designs. There is so much to see that exploring both outside and inside can easily take a full day. To get there, take a tram from Kumamoto Station to Hanabatacho, then walk about 5 minutes.