The sun has gone down and I'm freezing cold, and in just a few more minutes once it gets darker, Kumamoto Castle is gonna light up and I'm gonna go on a night tour of the castle.

太陽已經下山而且我現在凍僵了，再過幾分鐘等天色再暗一點，熊本城會亮燈，然後我要進去城堡裡夜遊。

And I've been to this castle before, I used to live in Kumamoto City, but I've never seen it at night. I don't think many Japanese people have either, so I'm gonna take this special opportunity to tour the castle at night, and show it all to you.

我以前住熊本市的時候來過這座城堡，不過倒是從沒夜間參觀過，我覺得可能很多日本人也沒試過，所以我要趁這個難得的機會來夜遊這座城堡，也帶你們一起遊歷。

Our tour starts at Ninomaru Park, a large open space on the perimeter of Kumamoto Castle.

我們的導覽從二之丸公園開始，它是熊本城周邊的空地。

Going through the gates and being transported back in time!

通過城門，回到過去！

I wonder if we'll find any samurai?

不知道會不會有武士？

What is happening? What's happening!?

發生什麼事？發生什麼事？

Hello! Oh!

你好！哦！

I was greeted at the gate of the castle by Kumamoto Castle's Omotenashi Busho-tai, a band of historical figures.

武將隊在熊本城門口迎接我，他們都是歷史人物。

Oooh!

哦！

Am I doing it right?

我這樣做對嗎？

Oh, it opened! It opened!

哦，打開了！門開了！

This is exciting!

真讓人興奮！

After a brief opening ceremony, they kindly lead me to the castle, giving me a brief history lesson along the way.

經過了短暫的開幕儀式之後，他們帶領我進入城堡內，並沿途簡單分享歷史故事。

Then I said goodbye to the Busho-tai, and headed to the main castle, taking an underground passage, called "Kuragari Tsuro", the passage of darkness.

之後我跟武將隊道別，前往主殿進入地下隧道，「闇通路」，也就是黑暗隧道。

We are leaving the passage of darnkess, and it is even darker outside, oh my Goodness!

我們要離開黑暗隧道了，我的天啊，外面更黑！

But right behind me, check this out, this is beautiful. Kumamoto Castle, in all it's lit-up glory.

但你們看看我正後方，好漂亮！亮燈的熊本城。

If you do drop by Kumamoto Castle, you absolutely must see the reconstructed Honmaru Goten, a palace reception hall.

你們如果有機會來到熊本城，一定要看看重建的本丸御殿，也就是宮殿接待處。

So now we are inside "Honmaru Goten".

我們現在位於「本丸御殿」內。

Honmaru Goten was built in the 1600s, and then later burned down in the late 1800s.

本丸御殿建於 1600 年代，後來在 1800 年代後期被燒掉。

When Kumamoto Castle underwent a massive 10-year restoration project, this building was fully restored,

熊本城進行 10 年大型維護計畫時，這棟建築有重新翻修，

and inside the restored palace you can see remnants of ancient Japan, and learn a little bit about the history and politics behind castle life.

翻修後的宮殿內可以看到日本古代的古物， 並了解一些宮殿生活背後的歷史與政治。

This place is really beautiful, I wish I was important enough to live in a castle.

這個地方真的很漂亮，我真希望我能是住在城堡裡的重要人物。

This room is beautiful and there is a ton of attention to detail in each of the photos, but what I like most is the roof!

這個房間真漂亮，每張畫裡都有非常多的細節，不過我最愛的是屋頂！

And while you're visiting the palace, there's one thing here you absolutely must try!

你在參觀宮殿的時候，有一件事一定要嘗試！

I'm at Honmaru Gozen, and I'm waiting for some traditional Kumamoto cooking, "kyodo ryouri".

我現在在本丸御膳的餐廳，等著嚐試熊本傳統料理，「鄉土料理」。

You need to make a reservation beforehand, but for 3,000 yen, you can enjoy a historical meal at the palace.

你需要事先預約，不過以日幣 3,000 元的價格，你可以在宮殿內享用一套懷舊料理。

"The Honmaru Gozen is a meal that we've recreated from recipes dating back to the Edo period, roughly 200 years ago.

「本丸御膳是我們依據約 200 年前江戶時代的食譜所重現出來的料理，

We serve those dishes along with modern local cuisine, and use ingredients that are in season at the time."

除了這些懷舊料理以外，我們也結合了本地的現代料理，使用當季的食材。」

It's really fascinating 'cause each dish is so different, not only in the way that they look, but in the ingredients that they use, and every dish has its own unique flavor.

每道料理真的都很讓人著迷，不只是它們的樣子都不一樣，連他們使用的食材，每道都有自己獨特的味道。

I've eaten so much food and I need to have a nap. But I can't! I can't. The tour must go on! On to our next destination!

我吃了太多食物了，需要打個瞌睡，不過我不可以！我不可以，要繼續遊覽！來去下一個目的地！

Finally, we're gonna climb this big boy, and see the entire city from the top.

我們終於要爬上這個大塊頭，從頂端俯瞰整個城市。

It'd be great!

應該會很棒！

This castle is huge, and it doesn't have an elevator, so, hiking time!

這個城堡好大！而且沒有電梯，沒辦法，健行時間！

I'm getting kinda chubby lately so I guess it's good that I take the stairs.

我最近有點發福，我想走點樓梯也是不錯的。

Entering from the basement, the castle's main tower is 6 stories high.

從地下室進入，城堡的主塔有 6 層樓高。

"Do you climb this every day?"

「你每天都爬這個嗎？」

"Yep, whenever I give a tour, I do!"

「是的，每次導覽的時候都要爬！」

"Wow!!"

「哇！」

"I can't keep up with him!"

「我跟不上他！」

The climb to the top of the main castle can sound a bit daunting at first, but trust me, it's worth the extra legwork to make it to the top!

一開始說要爬到主殿頂端會讓人卻步，不過相信我，多花點力氣爬上頂端非常值得！

Can you imagine living in a place where this was your nightly view? It's so beautiful and relaxing!

你能想像每天都看到這種夜景嗎？很漂亮又讓人放鬆！

This is nice.

這好棒。

And, we're going back down the stairs!

好了，我們要下樓梯了！

So, there you have it. Kumamoto Castle at night.

這就是夜間的熊本城。

It's very like, "monochromatic", if that's the right word.

它擁有「單一色彩」的魅力，不知道是不是這樣講。

Especially if you're into Japanese history, Japanese architecture, you would love places like this!

如果你對日本歷史、日式建築特別感興趣的話，你一定會愛上這樣的地方！

Check it out! Kumamoto Castle, here in Kumamoto Prefecture. It's gorgeous.

來看看吧！ 位於熊本縣的熊本城美極了。