Kumamoto, castle from afar

I am still fighting the jet-lag and waking at 3 AM. However, at least I get to the train on time and make my way towards Kumamoto. Here I hear that the Aso Vulcano is still closed, so my plans for tomorrow are non-existent. I get on another street car (this time at least without the indecent amount of stairs, and find my capsule hotel.

I leave my luggage and walk towards the Kumamoto castle, which has been devastated by the recent earthquake. By this time, it is again around noon, and I am walking around in humid heat, around 30 degrees and 80% humidity. I am just about dying. I find a friendly Japanese volunteer guide and he shows me around the view points and sights that we are currently allowed to access. Nobody has set foot inside the castle, as the structure is currently that unsound and still breaking apart as pressure from collapsed parts works against the foundation. The castle was housing a museum of old artifacts, which are currently buried. They assume the rebuilt will take around 20 years.

But Kumamoto's tourism board tries to make up for it where ever they can. There are frequent events and music festivals around the castle grounds, as well as shows of traditional crafts and skills such as shamisen music. By the time I make it back for hotel check-in I am exhausted. The capsules are definitely the smallest I have ever experienced, my suitcase does not even fit in the lockers. I start to get a bit frustrated as things are not as advertised on the website. The Wifi is non-existent. I fight for about 30 minutes to get connected to a public wifi streets away. Not sure if it will allow me to upload the pictures. You cannot bring food to the "relaxation rooms" nor anywhere on the premise really. And all of that just for a little less money. I am of half a mind to change hotels tomorrow, but I can endure this for 2 days (today and tomorrow) before I move on anyway. However, if m capsule hotel in Beppu is the same, I definitely need to change. This is no way to spend a holiday.

However, they do have 24 hour Onsen access. Which I will use now to cool down from all the stress. Tomorrow... well, I am not quite sure if the 1,5 hour bus journey to Yamaga will be worth it, or if I should instead stay in Kumamoto and visit some museums for a change (as walking around at noon in this humidity is madness).


Pictures Kumamoto