{"id":87406,"date":"2021-12-10T00:32:36","date_gmt":"2021-12-09T15:32:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/?p=87406"},"modified":"2024-11-25T22:17:27","modified_gmt":"2024-11-25T13:17:27","slug":"time-travel-kumamoto-city-best-highlights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/voyapon.com\/time-travel-kumamoto-city-best-highlights\/","title":{"rendered":"Time Travel in Kumamoto Through the City’s Best Highlights"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Nicknamed The Heart of Kyushu, Kumamoto city<\/strong> (\u718a\u672c\u5e02) is the capital of its homonymous prefecture and home to one of the most impressive castles in Japan and probably, the country\u2019s most widely known prefecture mascot in the world. This is a small chronicle of how I spent a day submerged in the city\u2019s old history and traditions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kumamoto Castle, A Phoenix Risen From its Ashes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

I start the day with the city\u2019s greatest historical symbol: Kumamoto castle<\/a>, one of Japan\u2019s largest and most famous castle complexes. These past couple of months have also been a very special period for castle visitors. The summer of 2021 marked the first time in 5 years that visitors could visit the main keep again<\/strong> after the extensive damages sustained by the destructive earthquake in April 2016. So I feel fortunate to finally check this castle off my bucket list with the help of my knowledgeable and English-speaking guide, Mieko Okada, who explains everything there is to know about its history. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Kumamoto
Although the castle is especially famous during cherry blossom season, it\u2019s still an impressive sight all year long. At the moment, while the main keep is welcoming visitors again, the castle palace remains closed until further notice. Efforts to remain faithful to original designs do not mean a lack of room for modern improvements, such as anti-seismic structures in the basement and stronger foundation materials.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

I ask my guide how much it is still original from the Edo period when the daimyo<\/em> Kato Kiyomasa built it in 1607. It turns out the castle was spared from being dismantled during the Meiji era as it was deemed useful for the Japanese army. While the better part of the old citadel ended up being demolished, the main towers and their surrounding turrets and walls did remain in place. However, most of it was lost to fire during the Satsuma Rebellion<\/a>, also known as Seinan War, in 1877, leaving only a few original turrets and some wall sections. Not many changes would take place during the subsequent years, and only sheer luck would prevent further destruction during the air raids of World War II. It wouldn\u2019t be until the 1960s that the ruins would see a major overhaul<\/strong>, with the main keep (mostly) restored to former glory, along with several towers and large wall sections. Structural innovations included the use of reinforced concrete besides traditional wood, while the interior of the main keep became a museum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n