[Kumamoto] Visit Kumamoto Castle, restored after the earthquake

Kumamoto, Kyushu's third largest city, can be reached from Hakata in just over 30 minutes on the Kyushu Shinkansen. The symbol of the city is Kumamoto Castle, built in 1607. It sustained major damage in the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, but the castle tower was restored in 2021 and tours resumed. Many areas, such as the stone walls, are still in a state of collapse. It is expected that the castle will be fully restored in 2052. There are extensive exhibits inside the castle tower, and you can get a panoramic view of Kumamoto cityscape from the top floor. It's very close to Kumamoto city center, so be sure to check it out if you visit Kumamoto! #Spring0YenTrip