When the Shirakawa bank was widened between Taiko and Meigo Bridges - the entire thing was shifted some 50 meters south - arborists used a traditional method to move the trees: Dig a channel, fill it with logs, uproot the tree, and roll it over to its new home. While time is required for these trees and others planted alongside to mature, the riverside park is coming along well. The new bank was constructed of hand-hewed stone; that’s expensive, but it lasts forever.
A community organization exists to utilize this public space called “Shirakawa Banks.” They will host a night market March 23 on that stretch of river and indicate they plan to continue doing so on the fourth Saturday of each month. Perhaps the area will come to symbolize Kumamoto as much as the castle. - William