Visiting Kumamoto Castle — Different Castles, Different Values

I recently visited Kumamoto Castle, and I have to admit — I was overwhelmed.

Compared to it, my local castle, Inuyama Castle, suddenly felt very small.
For a moment, I even felt a little shy about how modest Inuyama Castle seemed in comparison.

Kumamoto Castle is powerful and imposing.
However, once inside, I realized that much of the interior is made of reinforced concrete.
Because of that, I didn’t feel the same emotional atmosphere I usually feel in older wooden structures.

That said, Kumamoto Castle has suffered severe damage from earthquakes many times in its history.
Considering that reality, I don’t think it’s fair to say which castle is “better.”

They were built for different purposes, have faced different challenges, and represent different values.

This visit helped me understand that difference itself has value.
Still, because I live in Inuyama, I can’t help being a little biased — my heart naturally returns to Inuyama Castle.

And maybe that quiet attachment to the place you call home is a kind of value, too.

Yuko