Exploring Kumamoto, Japan

The amount of water in the rice paddies in the Kumamoto region of Japan is abundant. Autumn. The time for rice harvest is nearing. I went for a walk and came upon a rice paddy. In the days when rice was taxed, there are stories of farmers hiding their rice fields to avoid the tax. I thought this place might have been such a hidden rice field in the past. To my surprise, I saw what looked like a house in the bushes. It looks like a hideout in a fairy tale. From a distance, it looked like an empty house, but upon closer inspection, there was a car. I was even more surprised. It was amazing to find such scenery so close to the city. Wandering around is a continuous discovery of new things.

The Kumamoto Castle from Ninomaru Square on a clear early morning. Behind the fresh greenery stands the Uto Turret, currently under restoration. Eight years ago today, Kumamoto Castle suffered significant damage in the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake. Previously, I asked a representative from the Kumamoto Castle General Office about the restoration work. They mentioned that it would take many years to complete. Location of Ninomaru Park: 32.80667906949784, 130.70185433131337 Currently, I'm at Ninomaru Park just before the opening time for Kumamoto Castle. Ninomaru park is usually busy with people engaging in various activities, such as exercise.  Perhaps they are waiting to enter Kumamoto Castle, as a family was playing with a ball. Ninomaru Park is a walking and jogging course. Many people were seen enjoying their jogs early in the morning. In the evening, students from a nearby high school track and field team also practice here. They often breeze past me while I'm walking, and I wa...