6 Places You Should Not Miss In Kumamoto, Japan
Kumamoto, in Japan, is a stately city that lived through splendorous centuries and has many charms. Although the 2016 earthquakes caused great damage, it is still a city worth discovering. We tell you everything you can do in it. Can you come with us?
1. Kumamoto Castle
Any trip to the city must include the contemplation of its greatest symbol, its castle. It is true that the earthquakes caused significant damage to it, but the reconstruction work began very shortly afterwards.
It may take years to get it back to its original beauty, but it must not be forgotten that it is considered one of the three best castles in Japan, along with Nagoya and Osaka. For this reason, and even if it is from the outside and wrapped in works, it is worth contemplating.
Its origin dates back to the end of the 15th century, although later it underwent major expansions until it became a large, extremely fortified castle. However, this did not prevent it from being besieged, looted and burned during the Satsuma rebellion, a revolt of ex-samurai.
2. The Suizenji-jojuen garden
It is an example of the landscaping mastery of Japanese gardeners. It is a large and open park that can be explored by following a circular path. It reproduces the 53 stations that make up the Tokaido route, an ancient route from the Edo period that includes Mount Fuji itself.
In the place also they emphasize the sanctuary of Izumi-jinja, where Shinto weddings are celebrated; the great pond, which represents the ocean; or the Kokin-Denju tea room, originally from the famous Ratsura Rikyu garden in Kyoto.
3. The Kumamoto Prefectural Museum of Fine Arts
It houses works of a very diverse nature. Here you will find ancient and contemporary, Japanese and Western works. The museum houses works by Renoir, Rembrandt, Gauguin, Picasso or Rodin. The collection is completed with old engravings, sculptures, calligraphies and reproductions of decorated tombs discovered in the prefecture.
Nearby is the Kumamoto Prefectural Folk Art Center. In it you can see a great variety of handicrafts and folk art in wood, ceramics or bamboo. Also fig- style cutlery or marquetry , typical of Kumamoto.
4. The Shimada Museum of Art
One of the hallmarks of Japanese history, culture and traditions is everything that has to do with samurai. Well, in this museum you will discover countless objects related to the history of samurai culture in the Kumamoto region .
Of all the collections on display , the weapons and items that belonged to Miyamoto Musashi stand out. This was one of the most famous warriors of feudal Japan. It is also the protagonist of the next place that we are going to visit in Kumamoto.
5. Reigandō’s cave
It is famous for being the temporary home of the rōnin Miyamoto Musashi, just mentioned. In it he spent his last months, meditating and writing the treatise on martial arts entitled The Book of the Five Rings.
6. The Hosokawa Residence
It is a sample of the typical mansion of a high ranking samurai from the Edo period and was the former residence of the Hosokawa family. Its origin dates back to 1678, although in 1873 the building was moved from the Higashikokai machi neighborhood to the castle park.
Inside you can visit the rooms, which were faithfully restored in the nineties, or discover various objects of interest of the Hosokawa clan in the office, kitchen and bedroom. Some examples are board games, painted shells, tea services, or lacquered combs.
As you can see, Kumamoto is a city that, despite the destruction of the last earthquakes, is worth visiting. And, if in addition to the city you want to discover the nature that surrounds it, visit Mount Aso, an active volcano that will surprise you.
