Kumamoto Castle

Kumamoto castle is one of the three great castles in Japan, built at the center of Kumamoto City with dignity. It was built by a great commander Kato Kiyomasa in 1607. It is also called a “Ginkgo castle” because there is a big ginkgo tree in front of the donjon square, which is said to have been planted by Kato Kiyomasa. It’s “Kiyomasa style” stone wall is very characteristic; the slope of the stone wall becomes steeper as you climb it up, making it difficult for enemy warriors to come into the precincts. The unique construction is called “Musha-gaesi,” or samurai repulser. The castle area is about 98 hectare, consisting of tall and short donjons, 49 turrets, 18 yagura-mon gates, and 29 castle gates -- it's a splendor architecture with 5.3-kilometer circumference.