KUMAMOTO, RIGHT NOW

Kumamoto Castle 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:00; last ascent to tower 16:30) Open TodaySpecial Event Today
  • Fri Oct 30 Dusk–sunrise, earthquake recovery Emergency lighting for 2026 Kumamoto earthquake recovery
  • Sat Oct 31 21:00–22:00, pink ribbon
  • Sun Nov 1 Regular hours
  • Mon Nov 2 Regular hours
  • Tue Nov 3 Regular hours
  • Wed Nov 4 Sunset–22:00, product safety
  • Thu Nov 5 Sunset–22:00, orange ribbon
  • Castle closed December 29 annually
  • May close on stormy/severe weather days
  • Weekdays: south gate entry/exit only; weekends and holidays: both north and south gates available
  • North gate access may be restricted due to construction progress; check latest updates
  • Ticket office closes at 16:00 daily (except group counter at 8:45–16:00)
  • Emergency all-night lighting implemented for 2026 Kumamoto earthquake recovery response, with standard gradient-color illumination (sunset effect, full lighting to 23:00, moonlight to 24:00, dawn effect before sunrise)
  • Color-illumination events resumed from September 2026 onwards after temporary suspension

Official castle site ↗ · updated 26 minutes ago

Suizenji Garden 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (final entry 4:30 PM) Open Today
  • Lux Night KUMAMOTO 2026 - Blossoming Water Mirror Garden Illumination Nov 6 - Dec 6 Evening illumination event celebrating Hosokawa beauty with light installations

Official Suizenji site ↗ · updated 25 minutes ago

Aso Crater Access Restricted (Level 2)Likely Clear

Aso crater area is under Level 2 eruption warning with a 1km restricted zone around the crater; visitors can access the Yamajou Plaza area and view the crater from designated safe zones, but cannot enter within 1km of the crater. The crater view shuttle bus and park road are operating during seasonal hours (currently summer hours: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM, with gate closure at 5:30 PM).

  • Restricted radius: 1,000 m
  • Crater shuttle bus: Operating
  • Areas affected: Nakadake crater (中岳火口), Yamajou Plaza area (山上広場), Kusasenri (砂千里ヶ浜)

Traffic/Parking (schedule estimate, not live sensor data): No particular reason to expect crowding right now -- a weekday outside peak season and peak hours.

Official Aso regulation status ↗ · updated 26 minutes ago

Aso Volcano Guide for Any Condition ↗

Our Tours

updated 25 minutes ago
  • The Essential Kumamoto Castle Tour Next available: Mon, Nov 2
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