Kumamoto Castle

Kumamoto Castle is considered one of Japan's three premier castles, originally built in 1607 by the legendary castle builder Kato Kiyomasa. The castle is famous for its distinctive curved stone walls (musha-gaeshi), designed to be unclimbable, and its massive scale with 49 turrets and 18 turret gates in its prime. The castle suffered severe damage during the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes, with stone walls collapsing and several structures destroyed. The main tower was restored and reopened, offering panoramic views from the observation deck. Ongoing restoration of the full castle complex is expected to continue for decades. A special elevated walkway allows visitors to observe the restoration work. The castle is accessible by streetcar from JR Kumamoto Station.