Kumamoto Prefecture is one of the places my family visits the most. It has hot springs, famous places like castles, and delicious food.
However, in 2016, Kumamoto Prefecture was hit by a magnitude 7.0 earthquake, causing great damage.
Kumamoto Castle is a Japanese castle that has attracted much attention as a symbol of Kumamoto Prefecture’s recovery from the earthquake.
大地震直後の熊本城
External links:2016 Kumamoto earthquakes
I didn’t visit Kumamoto Prefecture immediately after the earthquake, so I don’t have any photos that I took, but the castle grounds and walls had collapsed, and there was no trace of the sturdy castle that once stood there.
I was shocked to see the pitiful state of Kumamoto Castle, located in the center of Kumamoto City, but the people of Kumamoto Prefecture and other Japanese people at the time were determined to come together and move forward with reconstruction, in order to restore the city to its former vitality.
Kumamoto Castle in 2020
Kumamoto Castle four years after the earthquake. You can see the cranes used to repair the castle. Immediately after the earthquake, it was said that it would be impossible to restore the collapsed castle walls, but there was some good news that researchers used their ingenuity to correctly analyze the structure of the castle walls and make progress in restoring them. Kumamoto Castle, visible from the town, has been restored to its original form, and people are encouraged by the progress of reconstruction.
Kumamoto Castle in 2023
Here is what Kumamoto Castle will look like three years later.
The crane that was beside the main enclosure has disappeared. The restoration work is progressing extremely smoothly. Work on the moat behind and some of the castle grounds will continue, but I find this view of Kumamoto Castle more beautiful and proud than anything else.
The future of Kumamoto Castle restoration
External link: Kumamoto Castle
As you can see from the external link, there are still many areas of Kumamoto Castle that need to be restored. The restoration plan is expected to take until around 2050.
However, Kumamoto Prefecture is working hard to recover, and there are many tourist spots and delicious food. There are also many things related to the famous manga “One Piece,” and it is a city that can be enjoyed by people of all ages and genders. I hope that by enjoying Kumamoto Prefecture, Kumamoto Castle will be restored to its former appearance and the prefecture will overcome the great earthquake.
