Kumamoto Castle
Kumamoto Castle (熊本城, Kumamotojō) is one of the most impressive castles in Japan. With large castle grounds and a variety of buildings, Kumamoto Castle offers its visitors one of the most complete castle experiences in Japan.
Only a few structures have survived the centuries since the castle's construction in 1607 intact. The castle keep and most other buildings are modern reconstructions, but the reconstructions are mostly of a high quality and new buildings are continually being added. With about 800 cherry trees, the castle becomes a popular cherry blossom spot usually in late March and early April.
The construction of Kumamoto Castle in the early 1600s took seven years. It was designed by Kato Kiyomasa, the local feudal lord (daimyo), who was well known for his castle design skills. His fortifications were highly regarded for their strategic effectiveness. Less than 50 years after its construction, the castle and surrounding area were taken from the Kato clan and given to the Hosokawa clan which ruled the area from Kumamoto Castle for the next two centuries.
A few years after the Meiji Restoration (1868), the castle played a pivotal role in the Seinan Civil War, during which the famous samurai Saigo Takamori led an uprising in Kyushu against the new government. Kumamoto Castle was the main garrison of government troops in Kyushu, and Saigo attacked the castle in early 1877. Despite being outnumbered, the government forces were able to withstand Saigo's two-month siege, forcing the rebel forces to retreat.
Unfortunately, the original castle keep burnt down in 1877 just before the siege. In 1960 a ferro-concrete reconstruction was built that recreates the building's outward appearance. Inside the building, however, there is a modern museum with displays on the castle's history and construction rather than a reconstruction of the original interior. The castle keep consists of two towers, a main tower with six stories and a smaller tower with four stories. Nice views of the castle grounds and surrounding city can be enjoyed from the top floor of the main tower.
A unique attraction of Kumamoto Castle is the reconstructed Honmaru Goten Palace (currently closed due to the earthquake), which was created in celebration of the castle's 400th anniversary and was opened to the public in 2008. The original palace building was much larger and included the living quarters of the daimyo, but unfortunately it was one of the many buildings destroyed during the Seinan Civil War.
The current palace building was constructed with original materials and methods. Inside, visitors can see accurate recreations of the opulent surroundings in which the daimyo would receive guests. There are also interesting displays regarding the building's reconstruction.
Besides the castle keep and palace building, Kumamoto Castle features impressive stone walls and moats, as well as several turrets and storehouses, many of which can be entered (currently closed due to the earthquake). The Uto Turret is one of the few structures that survived the siege of 1877, and dates back to the period of the castle's construction. There is also a unique underground passage that leads to the palace building and a former residence of the Hosokawa clan about 500 meters northwest of the main castle grounds.
Getting there and around
Kumamoto Castle is located in the center of Kumamoto City, a 15 minute, 170 yen tram ride from JR Kumamoto Station. Get off at Kumamotojo-mae tram stop. You can also walk from Kumamoto Station to the castle in about 30 to 45 minutes.
Hours and Fees
Castle Keep Interior
Hours
Closed
Admission
Questions? Ask in our forum.
Links and Resources
Japanese
Hotels around Kumamoto
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Minshuku HiroshimayaLocated 1.8 km from Hosokawa Residence Gyobutei, Minshuku Hiroshimaya offers 2-star accommodation in Kumamoto and features a terrace. This guest house provides free private parking, a shared kitchen and free WiFi. Featuring family rooms, this property also provides guests with a picnic area. At the guest house, all units are equipped with a shared bathroom. There is a coffee shop, and packed lunches are also available. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Kumamoto Castle is 3.1 km from the guest house, while Suizenji Park is 7.2 km away. Kumamoto Airport is 17 km from the property.View on Booking.com
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THE BLOSSOM KUMAMOTOLocated 3.2 km from Hosokawa Residence Gyobutei, THE BLOSSOM KUMAMOTO offers 4-star accommodation in Kumamoto and features a fitness centre, a restaurant and a bar. The property is around 3.4 km from Kumamoto Castle, 6 km from Suizenji Park and 14 km from Egao Kenko Stadium Kumamoto. The hotel has a sauna, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi throughout the property. All guest rooms in the hotel are equipped with a kettle. All units will provide guests with air conditioning, a safety deposit box and a flat-screen TV. Guests at THE BLOSSOM KUMAMOTO can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Hirayama Hot Spring is 35 km from the accommodation, while Kumamoto Station is 200 metres away. Kumamoto Airport is 17 km from the property.View on Booking.com
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Dyeing and Hostel Nakashimaya - Female OnlyLocated in Kumamoto, Dyeing and Hostel Nakashimaya - Female Only provides 1-star accommodation with private terraces. Guests staying at this guest house have access to a balcony. The accommodation offers a shared kitchen, full-day security and luggage storage for guests. Each unit is fitted with air conditioning, a shared bathroom and a well-fitted kitchen including a microwave, toaster, fridge and kitchenware. The units include bed linen. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Popular points of interest near the guest house include Kumamoto Castle, Hosokawa Residence Gyobutei and Contemporary Art Museum Kumamoto. Kumamoto Airport is 16 km away.View on Booking.com
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Sotetsu Grand Fresa KumamotoSotetsu Grand Fresa Kumamoto is located in Kumamoto, within 3.2 km of Hosokawa Residence Gyobutei and 3.8 km of Suizenji Park. Featuring a restaurant, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The property is non-smoking and is situated 1.5 km from Kumamoto Castle. All rooms in the hotel are fitted with a flat-screen TV. At Sotetsu Grand Fresa Kumamoto the rooms come with bed linen and towels. A buffet breakfast is available each morning at the accommodation. Speaking English and Japanese at the 24-hour front desk, staff are always on hand to help. Popular points of interest near Sotetsu Grand Fresa Kumamoto include Contemporary Art Museum Kumamoto, Minami Kumamoto Station and Kumamoto City Museum. Kumamoto Airport is 15 km from the property.View on Booking.com
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fav KUMAMOTOLocated in Kumamoto, within 1.9 km of Kumamoto Castle and 2.2 km of Hosokawa Residence Gyobutei, fav KUMAMOTO provides accommodation with a bar. With a terrace, the 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. Private parking is available on site. Guest rooms are equipped with a fridge, microwave, a kettle, a bidet, free toiletries and a desk. At the hotel each room is equipped with bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near fav KUMAMOTO include Contemporary Art Museum Kumamoto, Kumamoto Station and Kumamoto City Museum. Kumamoto Airport is 16 km away.View on Booking.com
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Hotel Nikko KumamotoLocated in the heart of the city, Hotel Nikko Kumamoto features accommodations with free wired internet access and views of Kumamoto Castle. Torichosuji Train Station is a 1-minute walk, and the JR Kumamoto Train Station is a 10-minute drive away. Guests can choose among 5 dining options and relaxing massages can be requested as well. The air-conditioned rooms feature carpeted floors and a flat-screen TV. An electric kettle and nightwear are provided for guests. The en suite bathroom comes with slippers and a hairdryer. Laundry and photocopying services are available at the 24-hour front desk. Room service and newspapers are also provided. Les Celebrites serves French dishes, and Tao-Li offers Cantonese specialities. Benkei serves Japanese cuisines with nice views and drinks are available at Fountain bar lounge. Breakfast is served at AsoShed. Kumamoto Hotel Nikko is a 10-minute walk from Kumamoto Castle, and the Contemporary Art Museum is only a 1-minute walk away.View on Booking.com
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Tamaki RyokanSituated within 1.5 km of Suizenji Park and 2.5 km of Kumamoto Castle, Tamaki Ryokan features rooms with air conditioning and a private bathroom in Kumamoto. This 3-star ryokan offers free shuttle service and full-day security. Free WiFi is available and private parking can be arranged at an extra charge. At the ryokan, each unit has a desk, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, bed linen and towels. A toaster and kettle are also available. At the ryokan, all units are allergy-free. Guests can also relax in the shared lounge area. Hosokawa Residence Gyobutei is 3.5 km from the ryokan, while Egao Kenko Stadium Kumamoto is 9.1 km from the property. The nearest airport is Kumamoto Airport, 13 km from Tamaki Ryokan.View on Booking.com
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&and COMFY HOTEL Kumamoto Jo View&and COMFY HOTEL Kumamoto Jo View is set in Kumamoto, within 3.7 km of Suizenji Park and 11 km of Egao Kenko Stadium Kumamoto. With a restaurant, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The property is non-smoking and is situated 1.3 km from Kumamoto Castle. At the hotel, all rooms are fitted with a desk and a flat-screen TV. At &and COMFY HOTEL Kumamoto Jo View the rooms include bed linen and towels. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy an ? la carte breakfast. &and COMFY HOTEL Kumamoto Jo View can conveniently provide information at the reception to help guests to get around the area. Popular points of interest near the hotel include Hosokawa Residence Gyobutei, Contemporary Art Museum Kumamoto and Former Residence of Natsume Soseki. Kumamoto Airport is 15 km from the property.View on Booking.com
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REF Kumamoto by VESSEL HOTELSSet in Kumamoto, within 1.2 km of Kumamoto Castle and 2.6 km of Hosokawa Residence Gyobutei, REF Kumamoto by VESSEL HOTELS offers accommodation with a spa and wellness centre and free WiFi throughout the property. Featuring a 24-hour front desk, this property also provides guests with a restaurant. Attractions in the area include Suizenji Park, 4.2 km away, or Shimada Museum of Art, located 2.9 km from the property. A continental breakfast is available every morning at the hotel. REF Kumamoto by VESSEL HOTELS offers a sauna. Children's amenities are available at the front desk free of charge. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Contemporary Art Museum Kumamoto, Former Residence of Natsume Soseki and Kumamoto City Museum. The nearest airport is Kumamoto Airport, 18 km from REF Kumamoto by VESSEL HOTELS.View on Booking.com
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KOKO HOTEL Premier KumamotoKOKO HOTEL Premier Kumamoto is located in Kumamoto, within 4.4 km of Suizenji Park and 12 km of Egao Kenko Stadium Kumamoto. The 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is set 1.3 km from Kumamoto Castle. At the hotel, all rooms include a desk. All guest rooms in KOKO HOTEL Premier Kumamoto are fitted with a flat-screen TV and free toiletries. A buffet breakfast is available every morning at the accommodation. Languages spoken at the reception include English and Japanese. Popular points of interest near KOKO HOTEL Premier Kumamoto include Hosokawa Residence Gyobutei, Contemporary Art Museum Kumamoto and Kumamoto City Museum. Kumamoto Airport is 15 km from the property.View on Booking.com
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