A postcard from... Kumamoto Castle, Kumamoto, Kyushu

Inui-Yagura (turret) - foreground

I have been trying to find a way to see Kumamoto Castle properly since before I was married! I did visit the city before but was unable to give this outstanding medieval embattelemt the attention it deserved.

The buildings & walls suffered considerable damage in a powerful earthquake in 2016, which is still evident today. I know people locally suffered considerably too; the modern part of the city shows no sign of lasting damage.

At first glance, it looks like nothing much has been done to repair the fallen masonry or prop up teeting towers...but closer inspection reveals that actually, there has been a tremendous amount of careful planning (archeological triage), strategic redirection of visitors and massive investment in resources (old and new) & some awesomely clever engineering work arounds...

Boffin information!

Priority #1 was preventing the second (small) keep from collapsing into its sunken foundations (I think!) and to use it as a counterweight to the main keep, which was also completely rebuilt. The schematic diagram below is much more technical than me - the outcome = two very sturdy structures! Yes, modern; really good state of the art, multi-media displays throughout the buildings (and even a lift). My quibble would be that there's no information at all inside in any other language than Japanese. There is a lot of detail presented, which is probably very interesting, but...

The repairs are obviously a work in progress, in stages. Visitors are ushered up, over, around & even under worksites/vulnerable walls. This has been done cleverly & sensitively. I've got no idea how you set about rescuing the teetering turret (above) but it looks like they have a plan to secure it and to restore the walls of the Nishidemaru.

Visiting 'ginko' castle at this time of year has its obvious advantages,as you can see. The famous tree was in all its glory. I can't wait to process all of my photos over the Christmas/New Year holiday. Highly recommend making the time to visit this awesome structure, and its part in Satsuma history.

"Ginko" castle - Kumamoto's main keeps