Wednesday 18 February
Breakfast care of 7-11 and after loading the Nissan Juke carefully so as it fit everything in we set off to walk to Kumamoto Castle. It is a major castle set in extensive grounds although unfortunately it was burnt down in the 1860’s during an attack by the Satsuma forces in the last Japanese Civil War.
The castle has been rebuilt on the original foundations and has been designed to recreate the feel of the original. The entrance from the entrance turret gate is up a series of ramps between sheer stone walls with 90 degree turns. Through the main gate you are met with a huge open space on one side the castle and on the other the Royal Palace which is also being rebuilt.
After a warming coffee we set off towards our next stop and an expensive ryokan.
Breakfast care of 7-11 and after loading the Nissan Juke carefully so as it fit everything in we set off to walk to Kumamoto Castle. It is a major castle set in extensive grounds although unfortunately it was burnt down in the 1860’s during an attack by the Satsuma forces in the last Japanese Civil War.
The castle has been rebuilt on the original foundations and has been designed to recreate the feel of the original. The entrance from the entrance turret gate is up a series of ramps between sheer stone walls with 90 degree turns. Through the main gate you are met with a huge open space on one side the castle and on the other the Royal Palace which is also being rebuilt.
After a warming coffee we set off towards our next stop and an expensive ryokan.