At the beginning of the 17th century, the Kumamoto Castle was a huge complex, covering 5 square kilometers with over 90 turrets and gates. But in 1877, during the Satsuma Rebellion, many of those constructions, including the main tower, were destroyed, only 13 of them surviving until today in their original form.

Amongst them, the most spectacular is the Uto Yagura (in the photo), a 5 stories and 19 meters tall turret, which is, by itself, taller than the main tower of many other castles…

Uto Yagura, Kumamoto Castle, Kumamoto

EXIF Info:

Yesterday’s Japan Photo: Akihabara pedestrian paradise at sunset