Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Kumamoto Castle In Spring


I always look forward to take the bullet trains in Japan & China as they are superbly fast, very spacious and comfortable! It is more relaxing than cramming up inside the planes. Here, we took a short train ride from Fukuoka to visit the famous Kumamoto Castle which was less than an hour away.



1. I took many photos along the rides around Kyushu Island. The good memories captured are very priceless to me.



 2. There were many interesting things to watch at the various train stations. 
Look at that banner of OBAMA SPA!




3. We reached the town and took a tram to reach the Kumamoto Castle. They have cute & easy trams all over the big & small towns in Japan.




 4. The tranquil roads are neat and covered with pretty Sakura petals.






 5. Most castles in Japan have long water canals flowing around their forts, making it real tough for enemies to reach them.




6. It was Spring and the Sakura trees were blooming everywhere! I loved the happy feeling to walk and admire the greens.
..... "A Thing Of Beauty Is A Joy Forever".....





7. This ancient castle has many high stone walls and sharp corners for the armies to shoot the arrows down!





8. The entrance to the magnificent Kumamoto Castle. You need to pay to enter.




9. I saw 3 wedding couples during my trip to Japan. I love their traditional outfits. I wore the same too when I got married.




10. There was a stall selling Bentos and Cakes outside the souvenir shop just beside the castle.
Everything looked so colourful and tempting.




11. We had to try this Sakura Mochi which came with a real Sakura flower on top! It tasted very fresh & yummilicious.





12. A kinky pose of excitement like SK's Signature "Running Away From Life's Problems".








13. Kumamoto Castle is a hilltop Japanese castle located in Chūō-ku, Kumamoto in Kumamoto Prefecture. It is a very large and extremely well fortified castle which was built with huge wooden structures and big rocky forts.




14. It was built by the famous warrior, Kiyomasa Kato around the year 1467.  The 3 most famous castles in Japan are Kumamoto Castle, Osaka Castle and Nagoya Castle. You must see all and they are not the same in size and layout.







15. The Main Tower was rebuilt in 1960 and houses a collection of weapons, armor and furnitures of the Edo Era.





16. The prominent entrance to walk inside the Kumamoto Castle.




17. There are hundreds of displays and artifacts inside but this piece of architectural model of the castle truly captured my attention to study its details. Simply beautiful and meticulous.






18. They also neatly displayed thousands of names on the wooden tablets.





19. They framed up 40 famous castles in Japan but there are actually over 100 castles being located all over Japan.




20. I climbed up the stairs to the highest level to admire the panoramic  North, South & West views of the Kumamoto City.



 


21. Hope you enjoyed the quick tour.



..........


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121 comments:

  1. Wahhhh what a nice trip to the castle for Anay and Letchumi :)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Heee heeee.... I am shy to compare with your Japan trips!! Goodness when will the day come when I could conquer All-Japan like you except for Okinawa only... Salutes Mak Glam!

      Delete

    2. aiyoh, paiseh only you say like that. No lah... travel a bit here and there only.

      Cannot compare to Anay and Letchumi who has been to so many countries.

      Delete

  2. Anay always bumping into weddings la so lucky

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Luckily I bumped into weddings this round... I remembered I bumped into a huge funeral parlour in Osaka on one dark night. My heart pounded fast like a lifeless rat... Muahahahaha

      Delete

  3. Good evening TM.. Raining in the afternoon...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Come back again, now using phone...

      Delete

    2. Go to go free n easy, the other time i went, was with tour, only outside the castle taking picture...

      Delete

    3. When did you visit that Castle and stood outside???

      Delete

  4. My family went to Kumamoto twice but we're not as classy as Anay to visit yhe castle.

    We went to ultraman theme park instead. Lol

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Wah!!!! Your family went twice but you missed the castle or the castle missed you? In the end the Ultra Man caught you pula. Muahahahaha

      Delete

  5. Do you know that one of the highlights of Kumamoto marathon is that runners will run towards the castle?

    Nice, right?

    ReplyDelete
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    1. That's lovely and great to run around the castles in cool weather! I love that idea. You are so updated about Japan in fullest details. What is your Japanese name ah?

      Delete

    2. I like to tunjuk pandai. Muahaha

      Delete

  6. #1.. yeah, i think now that we have digital camera, just take anything we could and there's nothing to worry!! we only worry that we have not taken enough photos~~

    #2.. haha!! interesting to know that Obama in Japanese is 小浜!!

    #3.. oh yeah, public transportation is so comprehensive and convenient in Japan huh?? no wonder Letchumy was so happy with the service that she die-die also wanna take a photo with the tram (or was it Anay that die-die wanted her to take the photo??)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I regret that Digital Cameras were not invented during my days in US as I hardly could afford to take photos then. Now I am even going to buy extra battery and memory card for my next trip. I will snap non stop until my camera catches fire!

      i always pestered Letchumy to pose for me to brighten up the photos!

      Delete

  7. #4.. not only neat, but i would also want to say the place is always CLEAN!! can never spot a piece of litter anywhere..

    #5.. ah yeah, i guess the castles were all built in a similar way.. i think those are called MOAT instead of canal right??

    #6.. oh yeah.. i love walking along a road with trees at both sides, and admiring the greens too.. and perhaps blossoms during spring and falling leaves during autumn.. unlike in Malaysia, i would be more worried if there are crows on top that would drop their shit on my head~~ :D

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Yes I agree that Japan is spotless and the people are clean freaks too!
      Wah! Your England is so powderful dei... I forgot this word moat!! Heard too much dirty canals in BKK.

      I wish the crows are white in Malaysia as we have millions hovering our skies now!

      Delete

  8. Love the tranquil roads filled with Sakura on each side of the roads. Japan is really beautiful with good food. The buildings are awesome and so heritage ! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Japan is the loveliest country on earth! That's my testimonial.

      Delete

  9. #7.. so magnificent and grand looking!! Letchumy looks so (be)little standing there between the walls.. :)

    #8.. nice castle that is.. and fret not, i appreciate diversity and will never comment things like "been to one and seen them all" though i've been to the one in Osaka which looks similar.. :)

    #9.. ah, so nice you can see wedding couples there!! ah, sweet.. and you wore those for your wedding photos?? nah, yours were fake one in the studio dei, not as nice as this real ones!!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. You big CCB mouth! Why blurt so loud that mine was a fake one... Wakakakakaka Sssshhhh!!!!

      Delete

  10. #10.. OMG!! look at all those bentos and cakes!! i would be crazy~~

    #11.. oh yeah, from the photo i can feel the softness and richness of the sakura mochi.. nice!! did anay buy some to bring back home??

    #12.. hahaha!! it's THE signature pose.. i've stopped doing that in recent trips, i must resume from my next trip onwards dei~~

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. You joking!!!!!!!! How could you ask whether anay bought mochi home to KL? Muahahahahahaha


      Oh please resume back your gila pose otherwise it becomes mine!!!

      Delete

  11. #13.. such a handsome castle that is, and a handsome warrior guarding it with his weapon!! were they cosplay or staffs of the castle??

    #14.. yeah, i've been to the Osaka Castle.. they may look similar but of course each of them are unique and not the same!! only people who are so "XXXXX" (okay, cannot think of an appropriate word here) would say things like "been to one and seen them all"..

    #15.. oh, what were the two person doing there?? anything nice to see??

    ReplyDelete
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    1. They had many staff all dressed in all ranks of armour to allow tourists to pose for FREE. In China, kena bayar dulu!!! LOL
      Osaka Castle also had the troops in ancient costumes outside. Didn't you pose with them??

      The 2 persons were walking towards the grand entrance. The castle is on the hill top, so they could see the view of Kumamoto City below.

      Delete

  12. #16.. wow, the entrance is amazing!! so magnificent and beautiful~~ Thambee likes!!

    #17.. yeah, i agree that this display is simply marvelous.. must have cost the craftsman many many days to get it completed in perfection..

    #18.. i just love all these wooden tablets with names written on them.. so Japanese and we can see them in all shrines and temples and castles in Japan huh?? to me, they look artistic, haha!! :)

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Every inch of the castle looked like ART to me. You will love them too. I wonder what were the names on the tablets. What did it say?

      Delete

  13. #19.. a nice one to show 40 famous castles in Japan.. i would spend some time to scrutinize the photo and see the castles one by one~~

    #20.. the photos show how well the Japanese has preserved their historical buildings.. the old ones are always pride to them, unlike what the Bolehland usually think here - old already demolish and build new ones.. it's always such a amazing view to see both the old and new blend together..

    #21.. NICE!! and Thambee love this last photo to most, Anay looked so happy and jovial~~ LIKE!!!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Great minds think alike. I scrutinized every photo of the castle and took camera shots of every one!
      The Japanese Govt really invested lots of money to refurbish and reapir all their ancient buildings. Our govt uses the money for other stuffs.
      #21 - Yes I didn't pretend to be happy.

      Delete

  14. I like the pictures with you in them the most. It's nice to see you being so jovial and carefree.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thanks for the compliments. My mood was always happy and crazy away from home. You should try kinky poses too!!!

      Delete

  15. Good day mister!

    I miss that castle, din't went into the castle last time, just took photos outside with the castle as background, but already is a good memory~

    I too love their bullet train, may not look super high end from the outside but it's really fast!!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. You didn't miss much inside the castle. It was just exhibits on every floor as the actual castle was gutted in big fire and rebuilt with much concretes. I realised many castles in Japan had to be rebuilt due to fires during their internal wars unlike China where much of the historical sites remained intact.

      They have so many interesting trains in Japan, both super fast and slow ones. Their "slow" is still faster than our KTM.

      Delete

  16. I remember the castle! When I was there, a very strong wind blew suddenly...and the stones were sent flying. I got pelted by at least one on the face...soooooo painful!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I wanted to laugh at you! You must be naughty until kena pelted huh... The wind must be a tornado to lift up stones....scary. So you have visited this place many moons before me!!! Please post every single trip of yours in the past ok.

      Delete

  17. Loved it... Thanks!!!! I have always been interested in castles ---in various countries and places... SO interesting... You got some awesome photos... Love the flowering trees also... TERRIFIC...

    AND--both yours and your wife's photos are GREAT.... Loved them all. Thanks for sharing such a gorgeous place.

    Pray for me tomorrow as I go through my surgery.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Hi Betsy... I will pray for you during your surgery! Just bring an iPad along and read blogs while the surgeon cuts you up! You are so kind and God will bless you back to robust health in no time!!

      Delete

  18. Morning morning.. Am back today after a crappy day yesterday.. We have a GST training at 9am, so before training starts (again), I faster comment here first..

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Eh, I like your first picture.. You look really handsome and young! Wait, you are young, rite? Reminds me of the song: Tonight, we are young, so let’s set the world on fire, we can burn brighter, than the sun… Hahaha.. But you really look like a college boy there.. Happy mou?

      Delete

    2. Ooohh, vending machines.. I know Japan got a lot of vending machines.. Their machines and cute and nice too, ooohh, and very colourful too..

      Wait, Obama Spa? What’s that? I saw some hot stones, or is it “gai dan gou”? Wait, now it looks like snow pears.. Now, what has snow pears got to do with Obama? Maybe they soak the pears in water in the tub for you to enjoy? Hahahaha..

      Delete

    3. I like your #4 and #5, looks so peaceful and tranquil like you said.. I can spend hours here smelling the air and looking at the sky, and day-dreaming..

      Yep, day-dreaming about money falling from the skies, or opening a blogger club for mums called “Princess ribbon cupcake blogger mums club” where housewives gather and make cupcakes together while gossiping about scandals and all..

      Delete

    4. OMG, I love your bentos & cakes photo the most! Looks so tempting.. Feels like want to buy all, but it’s impossible.. But if those are fake ones, I might just buy one for memories.. They always can make fake food looks like real ones, yes?

      Delete

    5. Wah, the sakura mochi looks so precious.. If me ahh, I “mm she tak” eat lor.. One mouth gone liao.. So did you keep the flower as remembrance?

      Delete

    6. Eh, I’m also thinking of posing the “Running Away From Life’s Problems” pose.. Any copyright from you if I want to do the same? Teehee..

      Delete

    7. Awww! My first picture was blurred to camouflage my old and haggard looks!!! I wish I am still young!

      That copyright pose need to ask SK la...he invented some many HTML gadgets including kinky poses too!! I just imitated him and he never extort any payment so far. These days we also can download movies and songs for FREE so I think SK-Posing got no trademark la.

      You sure sounded like many of the bloggers who love everything about Japan. I am actually very surprised that so many bloggers have been to this Kumamoto Castle!! Even STP claimed kena hentam by stones! I am a slow tortoise tourist!! Muahahahahaha

      Delete
  19. Replies

    1. Oh yeah, I forgot about planking! Remind me next time please!

      Delete

  20. Too bad Himeji castle is wrapped up for refurbishing, couldn't visit it.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. wah! The refurbishment is done yet?

      When we visited in 2008, it was already under work.

      Delete

    2. Whoaaa! Still refurbishing! I better go in 2020. hihihihi

      Delete

  21. Sakura mochi.... must be delicious... yumz

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Taste better than the ones sold at Mid Valley. The Japanese lady made them chewy soft and just sweet enough. Ichiban!

      Delete

  22. 12. A kinky pose of excitement like SK's Signature "Running Away From Life's Problems"....You are looking smart and handsome.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Me smart and handsome? You talking about SK laaaa.... He is hot and kinky!

      Delete

  23. the mochi looked so big ! Must be very fillings after eating it. Very nice photos you took. I like the trams as public transport. Look very convenience.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. The Mochi was big enough for 2 persons. It made me happy to eat.
      Malaysia should build trams everywhere too!

      Delete

  24. Not just Japan and China, even Taiwan and South Korea bullet trains are super comfort and fast too. I didn't notice the rest but South korea one got free Wifi

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Oh yes I rode the High Speed Trains from Taipei too and they were marvellous! Will I live to see our KTM become Bullet Speed?

      Delete

  25. Hi! Nice captures. It looks you had a nice tour in Kyusyu. I enjoyed your photos very much. Hirosaki castle will start restration construction for 10 years. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Thank you for your compliments. The Hirosaki Castle will undergo a long renovations and10 years seem a long time.

      Delete

  26. Lovely tour enjoy your nice pixz. Domo arigato

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Kam Siah my pisang friend! Where is your blog updates??

      Delete

  27. Nice buildings love the high stoney walls

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Everything is nice in Japan! From the walls to the food and onsens.

      Delete

  28. My Japanese friend drove me there the last time, so no chance for my own train ride. Your pix in black looks like one of those Matrix ones. Handsome lah!! Hahaha!

    ReplyDelete
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    1. You were so lucky got friend bring you to ronda-ronda!

      Delete

  29. By looking at all these pictures, really makes me want to visit there one day lo, the place is so beautiful!!! =]

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Now Air Asia is cheap liao. Quick book a ticket today!

      Delete

  30. ah!!!! So nice view of Japan!! How are you?? Do you still remember me??? I am back to the Blogosphere!
    drop by to visit. http://haveyoudonethat.blogspot.in/

    Anyway, your blog featuring Whisper the pad, I find it amusing LOL.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Hello Handsome Scott. I almost could not recognize you with new outlook!
      Hope you will keep blogging often! I have added you.

      Delete
  31. Replies

    1. You should start touring Japan as Thailand is under martial law now.

      Delete

  32. I always feel so jealous when seeing people going to Japan. When will be Yannie's turn? Huhuhuhu......Cry buckets.

    Letchumy and Anay looked so happy in all pictures.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Just log into website today and book the tickets! It is not expensive to visit Japan today. You will be able to snap more lovely photos!

      Delete

  34. I think you must had enjoyed the trip very much

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    1. Oh yes I truly enjoyed and will want to visit again.

      Delete

  35. The bentos look so tempting

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    1. The bentos looked delicious but I didn't buy them as i had too heavy breakfasts at the hotel daily.

      Delete

  37. 1., should get the picture printed too. You know modern technology changes fast. Last time was in those video tape then in diskette then pen drive and now CD...in future duno store in what format. kinda susah wanna frequently update different format leh

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Yes I plan to print out the good ones into albums like you.

      Delete

  38. 2. OBAMA SPA...but that one is about pau right?

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I think so that was OBAMA's pau! LOL

      Delete

  39. 3. If we have it here kan bagus.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. I think we had trams in Malaya before the war! Bring them back!

      Delete

  40. 4. mana penyet one for me? LOL

    Michi looks great in this pic

    ReplyDelete
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    1. They look horrible when dried up! Give you CNY Mei-Hua look alikes boleh?

      Delete

  41. 5. dual purposes...can be scenic and also deter enermy

    ReplyDelete
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    1. You are correct, spot on! You talk like an experienced Historian from the books you read. Bagus!

      Delete

  42. 7....reminds me of ninja scalling the walls

    ReplyDelete
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    1. You really believed that Ninjas climbed walls?? i need to find out.

      Delete

  43. 7. That one taking pre-wedding photos is it?

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Oh yes, it was for their wedding photo albums only. Their traditional bridal costumes look good with ancient buildings!

      Delete

  44. 10. good wor...walk till hungry can grab a bit from the stall leh

    ReplyDelete
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    1. We grabbed a lot of small bites along the way everywhere! it was so fun to walk and bite.

      Delete

  45. 11.looks good leh. Didnt know sakura is an edible flower

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Many flowers are edible and could be added to our salads these days!

      Delete

  46. 13. saw got guards in ancient baju...must be for tourist to snap photo with

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. All the castles in Japan would placed their staff wearing ancient costumes to excite the tourists! They really provided real uniforms worn during ancient times. So educational.

      Delete

  47. 17 makes me wonder how long it took for them to built that.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. The castle was first built in 1467 and they continued on for several decades! They had no heavy machinery back then...

      Delete

  49. Those castles really remind me of NINJA!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. They should have placed some ninjas there to climb the walls. That would be nice!

      Delete

  50. i been to japan few times but i always miss the sakura season...
    next time I will plan for a good sakura timing...
    very nice....

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Wait for your son to grow up and bring him to see kawai gals that daddy ogled at.

      Delete

  51. Wow...i am looking forward to eat sakura mochi even though i know is nothing much to shout about. I just love the beautiful concoction. ahahha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. The Japanese are so good in Art and they often make their food look pretty and delicious too.

      Delete

  52. i wonder how sakura mochi tastes like and if it's possible to find any here in kl. my god, Twilight Man.. you gave me THE SHOCK OF MY LIFE! 14 comments..!!! i was actually taken aback and thought somehow they were all spam shit but what a pleasant surprise to see genuine comments.. :D ones that really made me LAUGH OUT LOUD, too. please blog about your quirks and traits. i think that would really make for good reading.

    i don't know what it is about the way you write but it always cracks me up.
    thanks for making my evening, Twilight Man!
    a nice prelude ending to the day ((((:

    p/s - this princess is jealous you're getting the opportunity to visit castles! i told bay last night as we were watching a disney film that i'd like to live in a castle and be a real-life princess!! (he choked and said he couldn't afford any castle .____.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. I was just being frank and transparent but some people thought I was a clown! Hihihihihi
      Your Bay could bring you to visit the European castles anytime. I heard there are rooms for rent at German castles too.

      I love good mochi but the flower was just to coincide with the season. In Winter they might add snow flakes too. Wakakakaka

      Delete

  53. You have a great blog!! :)

    Well I was wondering if we could follow each other via bloglovin, gfc, instagram, twitter, facebook and g+? Do visit my blog and let me know where you follow and I will follow back right away!! :)

    Kisses
    Charu
    http://www.myglossyaffair.com/

    ReplyDelete
    Replies

    1. Thank you and come again with solid comments! Have a nice day Charu!

      No thanks for your kisses, I am married.

      Delete

  54. Really great post!

    theprintedsea.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

  55. Wonderful tour! Thank you so much for sharing.

    ReplyDelete

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