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 |
| 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. 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. |
| 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 |
Viewer Comments
(5) | Post CommentI went there during March this year. What an amazing place. :)
August 04, 2008 at 11:00 PM
i've been here years ago, back when i was around 14. my ancestor on my grandma's mom's side is Kato Kiyomasa , so i feel kinda connected to it. on my grandma's mom's side im realted to Kato Kiyomasa and on my grandma's father's side im related to Oda Nobunaga
June 18, 2008 at 11:59 AM
i have been to the castle and it is terrific.
May 31, 2008 at 06:11 AM
i love japan and i think this castle is a beauty of architecture. i did't know that mhyst
May 08, 2008 at 12:49 AM
This castle is cool. You could add that the famous samurai Miyamoto Musashi was hosted in this castle invited by Hosokawa Tadatoshi and lived there some time. I'm an assiduous reader of this website since I discovered some years ago. Thank you for your work
April 12, 2008 at 02:38 AM