Kumamoto Castle
Kumamoto Castle is the famous castle built by Kiyomasa Kato in 1607. It was built using the latest, cutting edge techniques at the time and was the setting of many important moments in Japan’s history.
Kumamoto in December was cool and refreshing. As soon as I left the station, I could see Kumamoto Castle towering in the distance. It looked exactly like it did in the photos—the entire castle was dark and imposing, with such a commanding presence that I couldn’t help but stop in my tracks.
What I wanted to see most on this visit was the legendary “Musha-gaeshi” stone walls. Seeing in person how the gently sloping walls suddenly became vertical, I couldn’t help but admire the castle-building craftsmanship of the Sengoku period. Just standing below and looking up, I could feel their overwhelming presence.
The inside of the castle keep has a modern exhibition style, documenting the battles the castle has endured and the reconstruction process following the major 2016 earthquake. The best part was reaching the top floor. The clear December air made the visibility incredibly good, with sweeping views of downtown Kumamoto and the distant Aso mountain range. The cool breeze was so relaxing.
After exploring the castle grounds, I stopped by Josaien, walking over a carpet of golden ginkgo leaves and buying some piping-hot local snacks to tide me over. Although it lacked the greenery of summer, the quiet, clear weather of early winter gave this castle visit a more serene atmosphere.
