Going to Kumamoto with Kyushu Reconstruction Discount Tickets: Part 5 Night Walk in Kumamoto

[Introduction]

I traveled to Kumamoto using “Kyushu Fukko Wari” (Kyushu Reconstruction Discount Tickets). Since I was impressed with Kumamon (the local mascot character of Kumamoto Prefecture) at Yuru-chara Grand Prix 2016, I decided to visit Kumamoto to see how reconstruction has been moving forward after the strong earthquake. In this article, I will write about night walk in Kumamoto as part of Day 2.

[Visit Places (series of articles)]
* Day 1: Departure for Kumamoto
* Day 2: Kumamoto Castle
* Day 2: Josaien
* Day 2: Kumamon Square
* Day 2: Kumamoto Night View [This article]
* Day 3: Kumamoto Suizenji
* Day 3: Kumamoto Station
* Day 3: Kumamoto Castle (Revisit)
* Day 3: Kumamoto Castle (Evening View)

[Travel Date]
2016.12.22 – 24

[Main Part]

When I left coffee shop “Arrow”, it was about 5:30 p.m. and getting dark. Now I will take night view photos in Kumamoto.

Night Walk 1 (City Tram)

As I didn’t take photos of trams so much during daytime due to bad weather, I am going to take their pictures.

From a pedestrian bridge near Hanabatake-cho station.

This photo was taken at Kumamoto Castle and City Hall station.

At the observation lobby of the city hall, visitors are able to watch Kumamoto Castle.

The photo below was taken near Torichosuji station.

This train was called “COCORO” and I will ride it the next day.

Taipiien (Vermicelli Soup) at Kourantei

I visited Kourantei, a Chinese restaurant, to have a dinner.

I ordered Taipiien (Vermicelli Soup), one of the famous local cuisine in Kumamoto.

I also used a coupon ticket to get free almond jelly.

Night Walk 2 (Downtown Area)

I will restart to go for a night walk in Kumamoto. I walked around downtown area.

Kamitori Shopping Arcade.

Tsuruya Department Store and a decorated tram.

Shimotori Shopping Arcade.

Light-up in Kumamoto Castle

I also visited Kumamoto Castle and Josaien, since I heard they were lighted up in the evening.

To begin with, Josaien.

Wagasa (Japanese umbrella) was illuminated.

“Sakuranokoji” where there were 23 souvenir shops and restaurants.

Then, I strolled around Kumamoto Castle. This is “Hitsuji Saru Turret”.

Main castle tower from Ninomaru Park.

View from Kato shrine.

Sunroad Shinshigai Arcade

After I left Kumamoto Castle, I took snap photos of Sunroad Shinshigai Arcade near the hotel where I stayed.

With Kumamon.

Then, I returned to the hotel and the 2nd day of my Kumamoto trip was over.

[Closing]

That’s it for the article about night walk in Kumamoto as part of Day 2. When I walked around illuminated downtown area of Kumamoto and lighted-up Kumamoto Castle, I realized reconstruction after the earthquake was stepping forward 🙂

In the next article, I will write about Kumamoto Suizenji, which I visited on the 3rd day in the morning.

[Map]