Kumamoto Castle was built by the famous general Kato Kiyomasa over a period of about seven years, starting in 1601. Also known as Ginkgo Castle, it was known as an impregnable castle. In particular, the stone walls, called "Musha-gaeshi," which stretch around the castle for about 5.3 km, are not only beautifully curved, but also represent the pinnacle of castle-building techniques designed to make it difficult for enemies to climb. The inside of the castle tower is a museum, where you can learn about the history of Kato Kiyomasa, the construction process of Kumamoto Castle, and the turbulent history of Kumamoto Castle, including the Seinan War.

In the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, many of the stone walls collapsed and the castle tower was severely damaged, but the restoration of the castle tower was completed in 2021, and the special public area is gradually expanding. Currently, a corridor has been developed as a special public route, where you can get a close-up look at the stone walls and turrets that are currently being restored, allowing you to experience the restoration process firsthand. The angle from Kato Shrine is a popular photo spot, with a beautiful view of the castle tower and stone walls.

[Trivia]
Kumamoto Castle was also known as the "Ginkgo Castle" because so many ginkgo trees were planted within the castle. It is said that this was done to provide food for Kato Kiyomasa in preparation for a siege. The large ginkgo tree in front of the castle tower is said to be a remnant of this. In addition, Kumamoto Castle is home to many legends known as the "Seven Wonders," and it would be interesting to explore each one of them.

[Hidden gem]
Kato Shrine, located right next to Kumamoto Castle, is a shrine dedicated to Kato Kiyomasa as its main deity. From the grounds, you can get a close-up view of the Kumamoto Castle, which is currently under restoration, and the entire castle, making it a great photo spot. In particular, the angle of the castle tower with the stone walls built by Kiyomasa in the background symbolizes the image of Kumamoto Castle being powerfully restored.

[A point of concern]
Restoration work from the Kumamoto earthquake is still ongoing. Therefore, the area that can be visited may be limited and some areas may be off-limits.