Kumamoto Castle

熊本城

Built by Kato Kiyomasa, this is one of Japan's three great castles, famous for its curved Musha-gaeshi stone walls. The main keep reopened after restoration following the 2016 earthquake.

Kumamoto Castle was completed in 1607 by Sengoku-era general Kato Kiyomasa and is one of Japan's three great castles. Its best-known feature is the Musha-gaeshi stone wall, which is gently sloped at the base and becomes steeper toward the top, making it hard for attackers to climb. During the Satsuma Rebellion of 1877, Saigo Takamori's army besieged the castle for more than 50 days without taking it. The existing main keep is a reinforced concrete reconstruction completed in 1960. The 2016 Kumamoto earthquake caused extensive collapse of the stone walls and loss of roof tiles, and long-term restoration followed. The main keep and the small keep were fully restored and reopened in 2021. Inside, a museum presents the history of the castle and the earthquake restoration, and the top floor offers a 360-degree view of Kumamoto city. Other buildings, including Uto Yagura, and some of the stone walls are still under restoration, with completion expected around the 2050s. Visitors can walk along the elevated Special Viewing Route for a close look at the restoration work. Adult admission is about 800 yen, and there is a combined ticket with the Yuyuza hall at Sakura-no-baba Johsai. It is generally open 09:00 to 17:00. Sakura-no-baba Johsai, at the castle's foot, has many shops and restaurants selling Kumamoto food and local specialties. Getting there: it is about a 10-minute walk from the Kumamoto Castle–Shiyakusho-mae streetcar stop. Kumamon Square is in the East Building of Tsuruya Department Store nearby and is within walking distance.

Kumamoto Castle

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Places to eat nearby