Kumamoto Castle

Built by the warrior, Kiyomasa Kato, Kumamoto Castle, along with Osaka Castle and Nagoya Castle, ranks as one of the three most famous castles in Japan. It features spectacular, outward curving stone walls called“mushagaeshi” that repelled invaders. The Castle’s dark and majestic towers reflect Kato’s authority. Many castle buildings were destroyed by fire during the Seinan Civil War of 1877. The Main Tower was rebuilt in 1960, houses a collection of weapons, armor and furniture of the Edo Era, as well as items tracing Kumamoto’s history, that visitors are free to browse. Current reconstruction efforts to bring the Castle back to its original form are expected to be completed in 2007, the 400th anniversary of since the completion of Kumamoto Castle.

ZIP Code：860-0002
Address：1-1 Honmaru-machi, Kumamoto-shi
Tel：096-352-5900 (Kumamoto Castle General Office)
Admission：Adults and High School students ¥500; Elementary and Jr. High School students ¥200; Two-in-one ticket for the castle and former residence of Hosokawa Gyobu (Adults and High School students ¥640; Elementary and Jr. High School students ¥240)
Hours：Apr. ～ Oct. 8:30～17:30; Nov. ～ Mar. 8:30～16:30
Holiday：Dec.29 ～ 31
Parking information：Ninomaru Parking Lot (2 hours for ¥200)
Note：
A free tour with an English guide departs every 30 minutes.

Bus,JR：
5 minutes by Loop Bus from Kotsu Center (Bus Terminal Transportation Center)

City Tram：
10-minute walk from the Kumamotojo-mae tram stop