Misumi Port

The natural harbor of Misumi is located at western tip of the Uto Peninsula and was built by the Meiji government to promote national unity and new industries as one of the three great port projects of the government. The port was built between 1884 and 1887 under the designs of Dutch architect A. Rouwenhorst Mulder. In addition to a 730 m long stone quay and floating pier, the comprehensive city plan of the port included well laid out roads and drainage canals that are protected as important cultural properties. As Kumamoto does not have a good harbor on the Ariake Sea, the port is the source of many anecdotes of the desires of the Meiji Era from the expectations of its construction to the joy of its completion.