city and prefectural capital, Kumamoto ken (prefecture), central Kyushu, Japan. Kumamoto has long been the largest and most influential city of central Kyushu. It is known for its castle and for Suizenji Park, which is one of the three most famous gardens in Japan. The original castle, partly destroyed in 1877, was restored in 1960. The castle contains a museum of city history, with ancient Japanese armour and other relics.
Suizenji Park was completed in 1632 by the priest Gentaku, under the auspices of the Hosokawa family, which ruled the region. A university was founded in Kumamoto in 1949. The Japanophile Lafcadio Hearn lived for three years in Kumamoto. The city's main industries are electrical equipment, machinery, and foodstuffs. Pop. (2000) 662,012.
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