One of Japan’s Three Great Castles! A Travel Guide to Kumamoto Castle, Where Defensive Design Meets Beauty

Kumamoto Castle was built across the Chausuyama Hills by Kato Kiyomasa, a retainer of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
After becoming lord of Higo Province, now Kumamoto Prefecture, in 1588, Kato Kiyomasa began construction of a highly defensive castle using the most advanced technology and labor of the time.
The castle keep was completed in 1601, the castle itself was completed in 1606, and in 1607 the name was changed from its former name, Kumamoto, to Kumamoto, becoming the Kumamoto Castle known today.
After Kiyomasa’s death, the Kato family was dispossessed by the Edo shogunate, and in 1632 Hosokawa Tadatoshi became lord of the castle.
From then until the end of the Edo period, the castle continued to develop under the rule of the Hosokawa family and prospered as the center of the Kumamoto Domain.
However, during the Seinan War in 1877, it was surrounded by the Satsuma army led by Saigo Takamori, and many buildings, including the castle keep and Honmaru Palace, were destroyed by fire.
It was designated a Special Historic Site of Japan in 1955, and the castle keep was reconstructed in 1960, bringing Kumamoto’s symbol back to life.

The route from Aso Kumamoto Airport to Kumamoto Castle is as follows.
Multiple routes operate from bus stop No. 4, so be careful not to board the wrong one.

There are three ways to get to Kumamoto Castle from Kumamoto Station.
All cost 180 yen, so choose the sightseeing loop bus if you want to get close to the castle, the streetcar if you want to enjoy a sightseeing atmosphere, or the local bus if you want to arrive quickly.

One of Kumamoto’s top cherry blossom spots, Kumamoto Castle bursts into bloom with Approx. 800 cherry trees in spring.
Centered around Somei Yoshino cherry trees, the entire castle grounds are tinted pale pink, making the black-and-white contrast of the castle keep look even more beautiful than usual.
The best viewing season is usually from late March to early April, and the sight of cherry blossoms in full bloom surrounding Kumamoto Castle, a symbol of recovery, is truly impressive.
This scenery can only be seen in spring and will surely remain a lasting travel memory.
There are also many excellent cherry blossom viewing spots nearby, and the lively atmosphere and warm spring weather create a relaxing mood.
At night, the cherry blossoms are illuminated, allowing you to enjoy a magical nighttime scene different from the daytime view.

In fall, Kumamoto Castle is wrapped in vibrant autumn leaves, and their beautiful harmony with the historic structures creates a stunning landscape.
Because many ginkgo trees were planted when the castle was first built by Kato Kiyomasa, Kumamoto Castle is also known by the nickname “Ginkgo Castle.”
The many trees planted throughout the grounds usually reach their best from mid-November to early December.
The sight of maples, ginkgo trees, and momiji turning red and yellow and setting off the castle keep even more is breathtaking.
The autumn leaves beside the stone walls and turrets create an atmospheric scene, making you feel as if you have wandered into a historical picture scroll.
Fallen leaves on the elegant stone pavement also evoke the quietness of autumn, while the foliage swaying in the evening breeze creates a memorable moment.

The castle keep of Kumamoto Castle, a symbol of recovery, is known for the sturdy structure and beautiful design created by Kato Kiyomasa.
The compound-style keep consists of a large keep with three exterior tiers, six interior floors, and one basement level, and a small keep with three exterior tiers and five floors, all showing a striking contrast between black lacquered board walls and white plaster walls that gives it an imposing presence.
Inside is a history museum displaying materials related to Kumamoto Castle and Kato Kiyomasa, as well as armor from the Sengoku period, from 1467 to 1573, and castle models.
There are many highlights inside, including the seismic reinforcement features that were intentionally left visible after the restoration was completed.
The panoramic view over Kumamoto City from the top-floor observation space is also a must-see attraction.
You can enjoy the blend of historic scenery and modern cityscape, and on clear days you can even see the mountains of Aso.

Honmaru Palace was built when Kumamoto Castle was first constructed as the residence and administrative center of the domain lord, but it was destroyed by fire during the Seinan War in 1877.
In 2008, it was faithfully restored using traditional techniques and the skills of artisans, bringing back its former appearance.
Its most notable features are its luxurious design and the beauty of its details.
Inside the palace are tatami-floored grand halls and dignified decorations that show the authority of the samurai, strongly conveying the atmosphere of the time.
In particular, the room called Shokun-no-Ma, used by the domain lord to entertain honored guests, stands out with its lavish gold-leaf sliding door paintings and intricate ceiling artwork.
Another highlight is the hidden passage at the rear known as the Kuragari Passage.
It offers a moving glimpse into Kato Kiyomasa’s focus on defense and functionality in castle design.

Uto Turret is one of the few Important Cultural Properties still standing at Kumamoto Castle.
It is a precious structure that has remained since its original construction in 1607.
This three-tier, five-story turret rivals the castle keep in both structure and scale, and its robust construction and stately appearance have earned it the nickname “the third castle keep.”
Its highlight is the architectural beauty that still conveys the appearance of the castle when it was first built.
Though simple in appearance, it has a powerful presence, and inside, its thick beams and pillars create a heavy wooden structure that speaks to Kumamoto Castle’s long history.
Unfortunately, it suffered serious damage in the Kumamoto Earthquake, so full dismantling began in December 2024.
It is now only the frame, but you can still view valuable details from outside, such as traces of past repairs and damage from the earthquake.
Dismantling is scheduled to continue until the end of 2025, with restoration expected to be completed in 2032.

The stone wall complex of Kumamoto Castle, known as one of the finest in Japan for its scale and craftsmanship, symbolizes the “impregnable famous castle” built by Kato Kiyomasa.
The stone walls supporting the castle keep were built with steep slopes, making them look simple but extremely difficult to climb.
The intricate construction combines defensive strength and beauty, creating a dynamic yet delicate impression that surprises visitors.
Because of its power to repel enemies, it is also known by the nickname Musha-gaeshi.
The distinctive color and texture of the stone materials that bring unity to the whole are also noteworthy, and it is interesting to take a close look at each one.
Restoration work is currently underway, but the stone walls around areas such as Inui Turret and Iidamaru Five-Story Turret each have their own character, so it is also interesting to compare them.

The Long Wall, a nationally designated Important Cultural Property, is a defensive structure with a total length of Approx. 242 meters.
It is known as one of the longest surviving castle walls in Japan, with various features designed to prevent enemy intrusion.
Its grand scale, the beauty of its well-balanced wooden architecture, and its harmony with the surrounding scenery make it well worth seeing, so take your time walking along it and experience its length for yourself.
There are also many benches, making it a nice place to relax midway while enjoying the pleasant breeze.
The view from Ninomaru Square, where you can take in the Long Wall as a whole, is also recommended.
In spring and fall, the castle grounds are colored by cherry blossoms or autumn leaves, creating an atmospheric scene woven by nature.

Located on the north side of Kumamoto Castle, this facility lets you deepen your knowledge of Kumamoto Prefecture’s traditional crafts. It opened in 1982 with the aim of connecting everyday life and traditional crafts through exhibitions, sales, and hands-on events.
The permanent exhibition room on the second floor displays a variety of traditional crafts passed down in different parts of Kumamoto. Kumamoto Prefecture is home to Approx. 90 traditional crafts, including nationally designated traditional crafts such as Higo Zogan, Shodai Ware, Amakusa Pottery, and Yamaga Lanterns.

An open-air tourist exchange facility at the foot of Kumamoto Castle that recreates a castle town from the Edo period.
It features restaurants where you can enjoy Kumamoto’s local cuisine, shops where you can find local specialties, and facilities where you can learn about Kumamoto’s history in a fun way.
At Sakura no Koji, where more than 20 restaurants and shops line the street, you can enjoy local specialties from across Kumamoto Prefecture, including horse meat sashimi, Akaushi beef from Aso, and seafood from Amakusa.

This strolling garden uses natural spring water and originated when Lord Tadatoshi, the first lord of the Hosokawa clan, built a teahouse on this site, where underground water from Aso springs up.
Later, the third lord of the domain, Lord Tsunatoshi, carried out large-scale garden construction, and the garden came to be called Jojuen after a poem by Tao Yuanming.
Within the garden stand Izumi Shrine, which enshrines the Hosokawa family, a Noh theater, and Kokindenju-no-Ma, which was relocated from the Kyoto Imperial Palace. Garden trees including cherry and pine, stepping stones floating in the pond, and an artificial hill modeled after Mt. Fuji all convey the atmosphere of the Edo period to the present day.

A specialty restaurant serving horse meat dishes made with horse meat carefully raised on the company’s vast private farm of Approx. 900,000 tsubo in the great natural surroundings of Kumamoto and Aso. Raised with nutritious pasture grass, pure famous spring water, and carefully prepared in-house fertilizer, the horses produce tender meat with rich flavor.
With a spirit of gratitude for “using every part” of these precious horses, which give birth to only one foal a year, the restaurant serves almost every cut, including rare parts.

Komurasaki in Kumamoto Prefecture is a long-established ramen restaurant that cannot be left out when talking about Kumamoto ramen.
Since opening in 1954, it has attracted not only locals but also ramen fans from all over Japan, and is often called the original Kumamoto ramen shop.
The menu is extensive, featuring the standard Ousama Ramen, the hearty Special Chashu Ramen, and unique options such as Pizza Ramen and Natto Ramen.
You can also add toppings and customize your bowl to suit your taste.

Located in Shimotori, one of the leading shopping districts in central Kumamoto City, Korantei Shimotori Main Branch is a long-established Chinese restaurant founded in 1934.
It is a popular restaurant loved by both locals and tourists, and its Kumamoto specialty Taipien is especially a must-try.
The cloudy soup, made with a chicken and pork bone base, is filled with 100% mung bean glass noodles as well as several kinds of seafood and vegetables.