Kumamoto Castle

Not personally visited. Pictures donated by Pavel F.

This is currently the #1 castle I want to visit. While the main keep and several structures are modern reconstructions, there are also several original structures and the castle itself well preserves the layout and atmosphere of these old, big

History

After the battle of Sekigahara, Kato Kiyomasa built this incredible fortress in Kumamoto. The castle expertly utilizes the geography to make one of the most impregnable castles ever built in Japan.

The Kato reign ended after only two generations when Kiyomasa's son was replaced by Hosokawa Tadatoshi in 1632. The Hosokawa reigned for 240 years until the Meiji Period.

The main keep and connected smaller tower, among other buildings, were burned to the ground during the Satsuma rebellion of 1877

Field Notes

Not personally visited. Pictures donated by Pavel F.

This is currently the #1 castle I want to visit. While the main keep and several structures are modern reconstructions, there are also several original structures and the castle itself well preserves the layout and atmosphere of these old, big Edo Period castles. Particularly in the past few years they have been rebuilding and restoring many structures for the 400th anniversary in 2007. When the lord's inner palace is completed in 2007 Kumamoto castle will be a most impressive tourist destination.

Gallery

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  Kumamoto-jo Donjon
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  main keep
• 

  main keep
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  main keep and connected tower
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  kotenshu
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  Utoyagura
• 

  view from Utoyagura
• 

  Utoyagura
• 

  Utoyagura
• 

  Inui Yagura
• 

  stone walls
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  stone walls
• 

  stone wall, yagura
• 

  yagura, donjon
• 

  stone walls
• 

  stone walls, yagura
• 

  stone walls, yagura
• 

  stone walls, yagura
• 

  stone walls, yagura

Castle Profile
English Name	Kumamoto Castle
Japanese Name	熊本城
Alternate Names	Ginnan-jo
Founder	Kato Kiyomasa
Year Founded	1607
Castle Type	Hilltop
Castle Condition	Reconstructed main keep
Designations	Top 100 Castles, has Important Cultural Properties, Special Historic Site
Historical Period	Edo Period
Main Keep Structure	3 levels, 6 floors, 1 floor below ground
Year Reconstructed	1960
Artifacts	Utoyagura, East Juuhachiken Yagura, North Juuhachiken Yagura, Goken Yagura, Gennoshin Yagura, Juuyonken Yagura, Shichiken Yagura, Hirayagura, Kenmotsu Yagura, Nagabei, Tako Yagura, Yonken Yagura, Akazuno mon
Features	main keep, gates, turrets, palace, trenches, stone walls, walls
Visitor Information
Access	Kumamoto Sta. (Kagoshima Line), city bus
Hours
Time Required
URL	Castle Website
Location	Kumamoto, Kumamoto Prefecture
Coordinates	32.80617, 130.70573
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Admin
Added to Jcastle	2005
Admin Year Visited	Viewer Contributed
Friends of JCastle
Malcolm Fairman Photography - Kumamoto Castle

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(29 votes)

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