- Progress is being made on the reconstruction of Kumamoto Castle that was damaged in the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake. A tour route has been established within the walkable area, and you may view images from before the earthquake and current reconstruction conditions on the explanation boards installed at the numbered areas listed on the map below. We encourage you to experience this rare state of Kumamoto Castle available only now.
04
Iidamaru Gokai Yagura
The area of Iidamaru was said to have been constructed by Kakubei Iida, a vassal of Kiyomasa Kato who was often referred to as master castle builder. A five-story turrent was built at the southwest corner of the area. The turret was later removed by the military during the Meiji Period but was reconstructed with wood in 2005. Much of the lower sections of the stone walls collapsed during the earthquake in 2016; however, the turret remained supported by its corner stones and became a symbol of hope to the people who suffered from the earthquake.
08
Dai-Tenshu and
Sho-Tenshu・Utoyagura
Dai-Tenshu seen at the front-right was built by Kiyomasa Kato in 1600. Sho-Tenshu is located in the front-center and was built as a separate building after the construction of Dai-Tenshu. They are connected via a corridor. Dai-Tenshu and Sho-Tenshu burned down just before the Satsuma Rebellion in 1877, and were rebuilt with a reinforced concrete structure in 1960. At the front left is Uto-yagura which is called the "San-no-Tenshu (the Third Tenshu)," following both Dai-Tenshu and Sho-Tenshu. Uto-yagura has remained since the Edo Period and is designated as an important cultural property.
11
Inui Yagura
Inui-yagura is a three-story turret located in the northwest corner of Nishidemaru and was named for "Inui", indicating northwest. Nishidemaru is a part extending into the northwest area of Honmaru. The turret had been dismantled during the Meiji Period and was reconstructed with wood in 2003. As a result of the earthquake in 2016, the stone walls under the turret largely collapsed and the turret was supported only by its corner stones. In addition, most of the stone walls extending to the east also collapsed.
16
Tenshukaku
Dai-Tenshu is a six-story building above ground with one basement and Sho-Tenshu is a four story building above ground also with one basement. They both burned down just before the Satsuma Rebellion in 1877, and the current Tenshu was reconstructed in 1960 based on old photos and other reference materials. There is a strong harmony between the white plaster and black siding. In the oriel window at the top of Dai-Tenshu, there are curved decorations called Karahafu (tang gable) and on the lower floors, there are decorations called Chidorihafu (Plover gable) with beautiful curvature. This is a building that can be called the pride of Kumamoto, even today.
19
Kita Juhachiken Yagura
National designation important
cultural property
Kita-Juhachiken Yagura is a one-story turret with a length of approximately 40m built on the stone walls at a height of approximately 20m. It is bent into a hooked shape and connected to Higashi-Juhachiken Yagura on the south side. This is an important cultural property that remains to this day as a result of several repairs performed since the Edo Period. The turret and the foundation stone walls collapsed as a result of the earthquake in 2016. The structural parts and collapsed stone materials of the collapsed turret have been collected and are being organized and stored in preparation for repair work.
20
Higashi Juhachiken Yagura
National designation important
cultural property
Higashi-Juhachiken Yagura is a one-story turret with a length of approximately 34m built on stone walls of approximately 20m high. It is adjacent to Kita-Juhachiken Yagura on the north side. It is an important cultural property that remains to this day as a result of several repairs performed since the Edo Period. As a result of the earthquake in 2016, the stone walls of the turret and foundation collapsed and damaged the shrine building. The collected turret structural parts and approximately 1,900 collapsed stones were arranged and stored in preparation for restoration work.
22
Special Historic Site Kumamoto Castle
When Kiyomasa Kato arrived in the region in 1588, the castle at the time was located in the Furushiro District located in the southwest area of the current Kumamoto Castle grounds. Kiyomasa built a new castle in Chausuyama which was completed in 1607. At the Kumamoto Castle Ruins, important cultural property such as Uto-yagura and the stone walls still remain in good shape. This allows visitors to experience what the atmosphere of the Edo Period was like. The former castle grounds are large enclosing approximately 5.3km for a total space of about 98ha. Approximately 51ha of this space is designated as a national special historic site.
23
Nagabei
National designation important
cultural property
This is a long fence spanning a total length of 242m which was built along the current Tsuboi River. Under the reign of Kiyomasa Kato, a bridge and entrance were located near the center of the fence for passage between the Hanabata Residence and Kumamoto Castle. However, during the reign of Hosokawa, the entrance was sealed off and it became the long, straight fence it is today. As a result of the earthquake in 2016, approximately 60m of the eastern portion collapsed, and a number of stone bracing struts were also damaged. The stone walls under the Long Fence had largely collapsed as a result of the earthquake in 1889, but there was little change this time.