Kumamoto castle

熊本城 kumamoto-jô

castle with rebuilt main tower / japanische Burg

Kumamoto City / Kyûshû

The massive fortress in the city of Kumamoto, built between 1601 and 1607 by KATÔ Kiyomasa (1562-1611), was further expanded by his son Tadahiro after his death. On the advice of the shogunate, the HOSOKAWA family took over the fortress in 1633. In 1877, Kumamoto-jô is largely destroyed during the Satsuma Uprising – under the leadership of SAIGÔ Takamori. The main tower was reconstructed in 1960 and 1998 until 2008. The Kumamoto earthquake in 2016 destroyed two watchtowers and severely damaged walls and roofs. A temporary construction observation path that allows visitors to witness the restoration process will exist for the 20 years it takes to witness the restoration of the castle.