February 2026 was my first trip to Japan. I chose to visit Kumamoto because I wanted to see Japan's three great castles: Kumamoto Castle, Osaka Castle, and Nagoya Castle. I wanted to take my time visiting each one on foot and see their grandeur for myself. While walking uphill, you can see Kumamoto Castle undergoing repairs due to the Kumamoto earthquake that occurred in April 2016. According to the explanation, the stones are returned to their original positions rather than simply being used to fill any available hole. I guess this is what they call the spirit of Japanese craftsmanship!! Everyone is welcome to visit Kumamoto too, witness this historic engineering marvel, and experience its powerful impact in person!~~
Kumamoto Castle | Review by 禎禎
Other Reviews by 禎禎
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Manai Falls
Takachiho Gorge, designated as a National Scenic Beauty and Natural Monument, is a stunning landscape formed by the erosion of pyroclastic flows from Mount Aso's eruption. The result is a unique gorge with striking columnar cliffs, known as columnar jointing.
Although I didn’t get to see it lush, green, and full of life when I visited, I could still see that in early spring, everything seemed to be starting to come alive. Even so, nothing could hide the incredible work of nature that carved out this gorge. What I looked forward to most was going down and rowing a boat!! Seeing the gods’ creation up close.
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The Aso Nakadake Caldera
Nakadake (1506 m) in the center of Mt. Aso is a volcano that continues to be active. You can see the volcanic crater up close. There are seven craters in Nakadake, and the first crater is currently active and can be seen. It can be reached near a huge crater with a circumference of about 4 km. When the gas clears, you can see the emerald green lake at the bottom of the crater, which is filled with 50 ~ 60 °C hot water.
Unfortunately, due to the plane crash in 2026, helicopter rides were unavailable, so I couldn't get a glimpse of this natural wonder from above. But the volcano still didn't disappoint me that day. As you can see in the photo, it was billowing thick smoke, as if letting us feel its breath. This was also the first time in my life that I had been so close to an active volcano and seen such an extraordinary natural sight with my own eyes!!!
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Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine
A shrine famous on social media as a “Spiritual Place” and a “Gateway to another world”. This shrine worships Izanagi-no-Mikoto, Izanami-no-Mikoto, and Iwagimitai-Shogun as its deities. It is known by locals as “Gongen-San”. On the temple grounds, there is the “Nagi” for good luck in marriage and “Ugeto-Iwa” (Ugeto Stone) which is good for passing tests and winning things.
Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine is located on the outskirts of Kumamoto. It’s a little far for those who don’t have a chartered car or aren’t on a tour, but distance can’t dampen my enthusiasm for shrines!! Before reaching Kamishikimi Kumanoimasu Shrine, you have to make your way through dense woods and climb many steps. It’s one of the few shrines that’s somewhat difficult to reach, but without enduring the bitter cold, how can one enjoy the fragrance of plum blossoms? I’m sure you won’t regret the climb. It’s well worth visiting and looking around.
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