The golden castle of Kumamoto is adorned with ginkgo trees in a fall-exclusive spectacle.

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Life Network Editorial Department
 

Also known as the Ginkgo Castle, Kumamoto Castle is one of Japan’s Three Great Castles together with Nagoya Castle and Himeji Castle. It was originally built by the widely praised Kato Kiyomasa, who, with great foresight, planted numerous ginkgo trees within the castle grounds in anticipation of the need for ample provisions during potential siege warfare. As a result, come autumn, the castle is enveloped in the golden hues of ginkgo foliage, adding to its majestic and breathtaking beauty.

Upon closer inspection, Kumamoto Castle’s impregnable stone walls feature a unique sloped design that makes them easy to defend and hard to attack—earning them the nickname “Warrior Repeller.” The renowned Uto Yagura, located at the northwest corner of the honmaru (main bailey), is comparable in scale to the tenshu (main keep) of a smaller castle and is even referred to as the “Third Tenshu.” It is one of the few remaining all-wooden structures of Kumamoto Castle and has been designated an Important Cultural Property of Japan.

After the Meiji Restoration, Kumamoto Castle became a key target of attack by Saigo Takamori’s forces during the Satsuma Rebellion, and many parts of the castle were destroyed in the conflict, including the tenshu at the highest point of the honmaru. The current tenshu was reconstructed in 1960 using reinforced concrete and now serves as a museum dedicated to documenting 400 years of Kumamoto’s history.