Kumomoto Castle is one of the many castles that can be found around Japan. It brought back so many memories from the younger years, when I was really crazy about the Samurai culture and Japanese castles. It felt like I was backpacking all over again.
Located in front of the Kumomoto Museum, we managed to go and take a look a few hours before the castle’s closing time. Admission was ¥500/adult, and feel free to ask for an English map when entering.
Kumomoto Main Towers
Long ago this area was destroyed by a fire, and the towers they have now were rebuilt to replicate the castle’s exterior. Inside, there were historical Japanese artifacts all encased or behind glass. Artifacts ranged from the samurai period, and as we moved up artifacts became more modern until the great world wars.
Even though at times, after seeing so many castles they all start to look the same. Then again, I find that many castles have a different design or technique to call it their own. For example, to prevent ninjas from climbing some castle walls and stone base have a steep, concave design.
Kumomoto Castle I’ve found, while at times steep, has spikes protruding where the tower meets the stone base.
Spikes below the castle.
While inside the castle, it’s prohibited to take pictures of majority of the historical contents. I say this because I found out that they don’t mind people taking picture of the historical toilet room. I’m actually very impressed with how nice it looks, and oldest (probably the first) urinal I’ve ever seen.
At the top of the Main Tower is a look out. This was when I found out that my friend was terrified of heights. As I poked my head out to take a picture while talking, I soon realized that she wasn’t with me at all… (O.O)… I turned around and found her hugging one of the wooden center frames.
Kumomoto Castle Samurai
Around the castle there are actors dressed up in one of the many traditional samurai outfits and speaking in the very old-Japanese language. It was pretty cool, but at the same time the summer heat and humidity of Japan made me wonder how they’re really doing underneath all that armor.
BC Roll in Japan 