Kumamoto Castle was completed in 1607 by Kato Kiyomasa, the first feudal lord of the castle. It was innovative in its design and construction for the period. The castle is a hilltop Japanese castle – large and well-fortified.  A large earthquake in 1691 did considerable damage to the castle and outbuildings and reconstruction is ongoing.

Leaving the castle, we headed to a tea museum & workshop where we attempted to make tie-dyed cloth from tea – needless to say, mine was a bomb that no one would see.

The final stop of the day was Mt. Inasa for a spectacular view of Nagasaki – getting there was half the fun (passed on the 640-step climb). We took a tram.