Kumamoto Castle, one of Japan's three most famous castles, underwent extensive restoration after the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes and has now regained its original appearance. On this visit, although traces of the restoration were still visible in some places, it still felt very much like the castle it used to be, and walking through it was quite impressive.
Admission to Kumamoto Castle is JPY 800 for adults, and I personally think it's well worth visiting. Besides touring the castle tower, you can also see the progress of the post-earthquake restoration along the way, which gives you a better understanding of the castle's history.
I also highly recommend visiting the nearby Kumamoto Castle Museum Wakuwakuza. It has quite a few interactive activities that let you learn about Kumamoto Castle's history in different ways, along with some mini-games. You can even dress up in period costumes, which was surprisingly fun. A combined ticket for Kumamoto Castle and Wakuwakuza is currently only JPY 850, making it a much better deal than buying separate tickets.
After touring Kumamoto Castle, you can also stop by the nearby Sakura-no-baba Josaien. It has plenty of restaurants, souvenirs, and Kumamoto specialties, so it's a convenient place to eat and take a break after visiting the castle. It fits nicely into the itinerary.
Kumamoto Castle | Review by 王小鈞
Other Reviews by 王小鈞
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Teppanyaki Bisai
A teppanyaki restaurant where premium ingredients from the mountains and sea, including Okayama’s specialty black wagyu beef Chiya-gyu and carefully selected branded beef from around Japan, as well as exceptionally fresh seafood, are dynamically and fragrantly grilled right before your eyes. You can fully savor the chef’s skillful technique and the rich flavors that fill your mouth.
If you're in Okayama and looking for a restaurant with a view where you can enjoy teppanyaki, try Teppanyaki Bisai.
The restaurant is on the 19th floor of Hotel Granvia Okayama. From a window seat, you can look out over Okayama City. The daytime view is expansive, and the overall atmosphere feels quite refined.
The most interesting part is sitting in front of the grill and watching the chef skillfully cook everything right before your eyes. From the moment the ingredients hit the grill until each dish is served, you can experience the appeal of food cooked right in front of you. It was super delicious, and the pace of the meal was also very relaxed. -
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Okayama Orient Museum
The only public art museum in Japan specializing in the Orient region, from ancient Mesopotamian civilization to the Islamic era. Its collection of around 5,000 items includes relics from a wide range of civilizations, from stone tools dating back Approx. 500,000 years to ceramics, glassware, and metalwork. Among them, the Assyrian relief "Winged Eagle-Headed Protective Spirit" excavated from an ancient Mesopotamian royal palace is especially impressive, offering a chance to reflect on the distant world of West Asia.
Okayama Orient Museum looks understated from the outside, but stepping inside feels like being instantly transported to the ancient Eastern world. Its collection of precious artifacts from the Middle East, Iran, China, and other regions is quite extensive. Seeing the Buddha statue excavated in Iran and the replica of the Code of Hammurabi stele especially gives you a real sense of the depth of ancient civilizations.
Photography is prohibited inside, so I could only keep this one photo, but that also made it easier to focus on the exhibits. There weren't many visitors, and the overall atmosphere was very quiet and comfortable.
Admission is only JPY 310, and even the restrooms cleverly incorporate Eastern elements. Unassuming yet full of character, this is a small Okayama attraction well worth remembering! -
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Okayama Korakuen
Tsunamasa Ikeda, the feudal lord of Okayama ordered the creation of this garden as a spot of relaxation. In 1700, the garden was complete. As the years went by, the scenery of the garden changed. Once a relaxing spot, the garden gained kinetic energy with the creation of water streams, and lakes.
If you come to Okayama, I really recommend visiting **Okayama Korakuen and Okayama Castle** together!
Okayama Korakuen is one of Japan's three great gardens. Built in 1700, stepping into the garden immediately feels like you've suddenly gone back 300 years.
The entire garden has a strolling layout, with lawns, ponds, small bridges, and teahouses connected along the way. As you walk around, every angle looks like a classical Japanese painting. My favorite part was climbing Yuishinzan Hill for a view over the entire garden, with Okayama Castle visible in the distance. The scenery is really relaxing!
Sawa-no-ike Pond has artificial islands, and water actually flows through the middle of one of the buildings. It's easy to imagine the feudal lord cooling off and composing poetry here in the past—the scene really comes to life.
Each season has its own charm: cherry blossoms in spring, lotus flowers in summer, fall foliage in autumn, and plum blossoms in winter. Chishio-no-Mori Grove is especially unbelievably beautiful in the fall.
If I could visit only one attraction in Okayama, I'd choose this one. If you have enough time, visiting Korakuen and Okayama Castle together is ideal! -
