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.
Kumamoto Castle | Review by Mei
Other Reviews by Mei
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Sensoji Temple
This iconic destination in Asakusa sees as many as 30 million visitors each year. It stands as a well-loved mainstay in Tokyo, all while hosting a number of annual traditions like the first temple visit at New Years, Setsubun and more across the year.
I had excitedly planned to take a photo with the huge lantern at Sensoji Temple's Kaminarimon Gate, but the crowd was absolutely overflowing. After waiting forever without finding an opening, I finally decided to give up!
I was a little disappointed that I couldn't get the photo, but then I realized that casually taking pictures of the scenery around the temple was wonderful too. The vermilion buildings stood out against the blue sky, and every quick shot of the details in the eaves and lanterns was so beautiful and calming. Looking at the serene, elegant atmosphere in the photos made me feel completely relaxed and at ease. That's travel—going with the flow can be a wonderful reward in itself! -
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Ameyoko Shopping Street
The Ameyoko Shopping Street, affectionately known as "Ameyoko," stretches approximately 500m between JR Ueno Station and JR Okachimachi Station, with around 400 shops lining the street. It features a variety of businesses, including food and confectionery, clothing, general goods, and jewelry stores.
It seems like everyone usually visits Ameyoko at night, but this time I got up extra early and headed straight there. I never expected Ameyoko to be so much fun to explore in the morning!
I was amazed by all the inexpensive fruit, and there were so many souvenirs to choose from that I didn't know where to look. Best of all, the prices were genuinely great, and nothing was disappointing. I couldn't resist grabbing a box of strawberries. They were sweet, tart, juicy, and super fresh. I also picked up a few bags of dried seafood snacks. They were full of flavor and aroma, and tasted better the more I chewed—seriously delicious!
By avoiding the crowded nighttime rush, I could stroll around and hunt for bargains in the morning. I had so much fun shopping and eating. I really recommend trying Ameyoko in the morning. Coming away with bags full of finds felt so great! -
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Narita International Airport
The international airport and gateway to Tokyo, visited by 44 million travelers each year (as of 2019). Opened in 1978, this world-famous airport (airport code NRT) has ferried over 6 million flights both in and out of Japan. The airport grounds include 3 different passenger terminals, a freight terminal and is currently planning to open a new runaway in addition to its two runways currently open.
Don’t want to spend your time at Narita Airport waiting around bored? Head to the food court on the fourth floor of Terminal 1 or 2 for one last stop before departure! You can enjoy authentic Japanese ramen, sushi, or tempura to satisfy your appetite. After your meal, browse the shops on the same floor, where you’ll find everything from famous souvenir stores and anime merchandise to all kinds of general goods. Once you’ve eaten your fill and stocked up on souvenirs, you can go through departure procedures at your leisure, turning your wait into the ultimate Japanese food and shopping experience!
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