Kumamoto Castle is one of Japan's three great castles. It was built in 1607 by the famous warlord Kiyomasa Kato and became the Kato family's residence.
The castle is famous for its steep stone walls called 'Musha-gaeshi,' which were said to be impossible for even ninjas to climb. It also played a major role in the last civil war in Japan, the Satsuma Rebellion in 1877, where Saigo Takamori himself praised how difficult it was to capture.
Despite its strength, the castle has suffered from natural disasters like fires and earthquakes. The 2016 earthquakes caused significant damage, and full restoration is expected to take 20 years. Even during the pandemic, Kumamoto Castle has been working hard to recover, and by 2022, it reopened for visitors. The castle features both a large and small main keep, which is quite rare.
I've visited Kumamoto Castle several times (2013–2016) and really love the vibe of this city. It has the energy of a big city but still feels down-to-earth. Kyushu is great to visit year-round—cherry blossoms in spring, ginkgo trees in autumn.
If you're in Kyushu, don't miss the chance to see Kumamoto Castle up close. It's absolutely worth a visit! Also, check out Sakuranobaba Josaien nearby, a small castle town area where you can experience local food, history, and culture.
Highly recommended 👍
There's a centuries-old ginkgo tree in front of the main keep, known as 'Ginkgo Castle.' It's said that Kiyomasa Kato himself planted it. The original tree was burned during the Satsuma Rebellion, but the current one grew from new shoots after the fire.
Kumamoto Castle | Review by Claire Chang
Other Reviews by Claire Chang
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A peaceful and historic temple.
You can really feel the simple charm of the small alleys here.
Walking around, you get a sense of the dramatic history that took place here...
Try the Dokko-no-yu hot spring—it's legendary!
The Hojo era was full of drama (with Minamoto no Yoritomo and Hojo Masako's son).
The Five Bridges of Love are romantic and long-lasting.
There's Togetsu Bridge (Love at First Sight),
Kokei Bridge (Admiration),
Katsura Bridge (Connection),
Maple Bridge (Closeness),
and Takishita Bridge (Peace).
It's really worth taking a stroll here and even staying overnight at a hot spring.
On a midsummer night, check out the nearby Red Frog Park—you can see tons of natural LED lights (fireflies)!
On the right side of the temple, there's a pudding shop. I recommend grabbing a pudding and giving it a try! -
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Amanohashidate means 'Bridge to Heaven.' When you look down from the mountains on either side of the sandbar, it really does look like a pathway connecting heaven and earth.
Highly recommend these spots:
☆ Kasamatsu Park:
Take the cable car from Fuchu Station (about 4 minutes) to Kasamatsu Park for a great view of the sandbar. Don't just ride the cable car—be sure to stroll along the pine forest path too!
☆ Looking through your legs:
For over a thousand years, locals have bent over and looked at the bay between their legs to enjoy the most beautiful view. This pose is called 'Matanozoki.' When you're here, try this fun local tradition!
☆ Rotating Bridge:
This bright red bridge rotates 90 degrees to connect Amanohashidate Park. Whenever a boat needs to pass, the bridge turns, lets the boats through, and then rotates back so people can cross again. The whole process takes about 5 minutes—it's really interesting and worth seeing in person! -
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A peaceful mountain village.
Every visit here leaves me feeling refreshed and relaxed.
You can get here from Kyoto by train!
The unique architecture features wooden houses with thatched roofs. The walls, doors, and windows are all made from wooden planks—no nails or metal, just thick straw ropes holding everything together.
The sloped roofs help snow slide off easily, and the rooftops even use special shrine-style features to prevent snow from piling up.
Miyama's thatched village houses are of the Kitayama style, blending different traditional Japanese designs. They're built to withstand heavy winter snow and still show off Kyoto's delicate architectural beauty.
The countryside here is super simple and pure, with no commercial activity at all. These are real homes, so you really get a sense of the quiet, rustic lifestyle people used to have, living deep in the mountains, cut off from the world.
It's a different vibe compared to Shirakawa-go or Ouchi-juku.
☆ Scenery in all four seasons:
Spring: gentle breezes and fresh greenery
Summer: lush green mountains and sprouting rice
Autumn: cool winds and golden rice fields
Winter: snowflakes falling, peaceful and white
☆ There are a few cafés and small restaurants in the village:
Cafe Miran
Cafe & Gallery Saika
Sakaya Pizza Cafe
Kichinojo (sells bread)
Soba Restaurant Kitamura (next to the parking lot) -
