Honmyo-ji Temple

Honmyoji Temple was built to honor Kato Kiyomasa, the powerful lord who constructed Kumamoto Castle. His grave sits at the top of the Munatsuki Gangi staircase, a steep climb flanked by hundreds of stone lanterns. The name translates roughly to 'feel it in your chest steps,' and after 176 of them, you will. The niomon gate at the entrance was built in 1920 from concrete, a novelty material at the time. The current main hall dates from 1884, rebuilt after the Satsuma Rebellion destroyed the original.