Kyushu {#3 Kumamoto } ~ The Lovely Castle and Emperial Ground ~

As the 3rd biggest city in Kyushu, Kumamoto has a structured and contemporary city planning with skyscrappers and modern streets. The famous Kumamoto Castle is also listed as the best 3 castle in Japan as well.

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Kumamoto Castle

The green green moat ♡

The greatest castle of all ~~

People seem so small against it ☆

This is definitely the biggest one i ever seen.

The castle is relatively tall and requires quite of a climb.

You can see the main building off whereever you are climbing lol

A hundred year-old Gingko Tree

It will become extraordinarily beautiful in the Yellow Fall

The superb gigantic and complex structure model☆

Sadly enough the main building is just a concrete built one.

Inside is simply exhibition of weapons and paintings.

The city model shows a well blend with the old Edo town. 

It is quite interesting to see the castle and surroundings are well-preserved in green where a distinctive green boundary could be observed against the skyscrappers.

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What's special about Kumamoto Castle is not the main building where most of the castles in Japan remained and preserved, but the original Empire Residence.

The great ceiling of the reception hall.

Engraved with sophisticated gold details

A detail introduction of carpenter work.

The very importance of Japanese old architecture is the building techniques of not using nails but just wood itself.

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Former Hosokawa Residence
 (舊細川刑部邸) 

I didn't know this spot until it comes into package with the castle combo ticket.

Walking to the Former Hosokawa Residence from the castle takes about 15 minutes.

Introducing you to the place is the miniature of the grand avenue (?!) , natural and contemporary, but too much mosquitos in some sense... 

I love this simple but contemporary  japanese garden♡

This building complex is unexpectedly huge. 

If i were to design my own house, this little deck must be in it. 

And the big kitchen on the dirt.

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Time arrangement
Around 1 day

Access

Kumamoto City Tram

The one day pass is cheap at the cost at ¥500~

Related Stations
Kumamoto Castle 熊本城 @ Kumamoto Castle Station (熊本城・市役所前)
Former Hosokawa Residence 舊細川刑部邸 @ Sugidomo Station (杉塘)

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