Kumamoto Castle Reconstruction Observation Path | 2019-2020

Kumamoto City, Japan

Architects: NIHON SEKKEI, Inc.
Lead Architects: Yuzuru Tsukagawa and Shun Hori
Client: Kumamoto Castle General Office
Photographers: Kenji Masunaga /MASPHOTO

Kumamoto Castle was severely damaged by the Kumamoto Earthquake in April 2016, and it will take about 20 years to complete the restoration work.

This project is a temporary aerial observation walkway existing only for 20 years as a witness to the completion of the castle restoration which makes citizens of Kumamoto see all processes of the restoration work of this historical heritage closely rather than closing the restoration site because the castle is a symbol of the city.

The Kumamoto Castle Reconstruction Observation Path is located within Kumamoto Castle, one of the 63 places in Japan designated as a Historic Site.

After much thought on what appearance would be appropriate for an observation corridor to observe restoration when it is located within such a history-laden site, the design team settled on the image of a forest mist, floating lightly between the lush trees sprinkled throughout the site.

It forms a new landscape and would respond in concord with the history of Kumamoto Castle, which had continuously been the heart and soul of the local community for over 400 years, and harmonize with the vista while lending its own contribution to the whole.

In order to realize this first attempt in Japan, the difficult design conditions and the landscape of Kumamoto Castle within the strict restrictions of a special historical site had to be considered. Firstly, since there are many remains on the site, excavation of the soil and removing roots of trees are prohibited. Secondly, the ramparts of the castle which are still in danger of collapsing and preserved trees in the historical site limit the location of the foundations and the route of the walkway.

In addition, the goal was to minimize cutting down existing trees to preserve the landscape. This project shows not only a new direction in restoration work as a tourist attraction, but also presents a new approach to how new architecture can co-exist with heritage. It will serve as a bridge between the 400-year history of Kumamoto Castle and the future.