Kumamoto Castle, also known as Ginnan Castle (ginkgo castle) is regarded as one of the 3 best castles in Japan. It is famous for the magnificent cherry trees in its grounds. In 1601, a senior commander Kiyomasa Kato expanded the fortification. In 2007, the castle marked the 400 year anniversary of its construction. In April 2008, the “Honmaru Goten Large Hall” was completed, which was the most important project of the Kumamoto Castle restoration and maintenance plan. Today, the reconstructed resident’s area of the clan including the living room, the large hall (meeting room) and the kitchen, etc is open to the public. It originally had 53 rooms, however 25 of them are still undergoing work The castle is being restored on the basis of pictures, literatures and old photographs from the Meiji Era (19th Century), etc. Its shohekiga (paintings on room partitions), ceiling pictures and other decorative ornaments make for a gorgeous and luxurious atmosphere, which would be in tune with the original character of the castle.