Kato
Kumamoto Castle
熊本城
| Alternate Name | Ginnan-jo |
| Founder | Kato Kiyomasa |
| Year | 1607 |
| Reconstructed | 1960 |
| Type | Hilltop |
| Structure | 3 levels, 6 floors, 1 floor below ground |
| Condition | Reconstructed |
| Admin's Rating | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ |
| Historical Site | Special Historic Site |
| Historical Value | Top 100 Castles, Important Cultural Properties |
| Historical Artifacts |
Important Cultural Properties: 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 |
| Location | Kumamoto, Kumamoto Pref. |
| Map | Google Map |
| Access | Kumamoto Sta. (Kagoshima Line), city bus |
| Website | Kumamoto City Sightseeing |
| Notes | Not personally visited. Pictures donated by Pavel F. <p>This is currently the #1 castle I want to visit. While the donjon 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.</p> |
| 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 donjon and connected smaller donjon among other buildings were burned to ground during the Satsuma rebellion of 1877 |
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