Kumamoto Castle
Kumamoto Castle (熊本城) is the first actual castle I’ve been to.
The castle grounds consist mostly of walls, paths, and trees. I’m told some of the trees are Chinese plum (梅) and will grow beautiful flowers in a month or so.
There are also towers, which are much more imposing in real life than I can make them appear in a photograph. Each one is a tall mansion built on a stone platform, with the ground filled in on one side of the platform so people can reach the entrance.
The insides of the towers have been turned into museums, full of displays and information on the towers themselves and their history. Judging by that historical information, the castle had a big problem with fire in the wooden mansion towers.
We almost got lost on our way out, even with a map. All those winding, walled paths are like a maze.
I definitely want to go back when the flowers are blooming
