Kumamoto Castle is going all out this fall with a special month-long festival titled 2026 Kumamoto Earthquake Recovery Event: Autumn Kumamoto Castle Festival — Onward! Running from October 2 (Friday) through November 1 (Sunday), the event extends evening opening hours and fills the castle grounds with light, music, tea, and centuries-old tradition. Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a longtime resident, this is one of the best times of year to experience Kumamoto Castle in all its glory.
What’s On
| Event | Date(s) | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Shiro Akari (Castle Illumination) | Oct 2 (Fri) – Nov 1 (Sun) | The castle grounds — including the plaza in front of the main keep — are lit up nightly with projection mapping, lasers, searchlights, and bamboo lanterns. The special public area stays open until 9:00 PM (last entry 8:00 PM). |
| Taiko, Koto & Tea Ceremony | Oct 3 (Sat) | Live performances of traditional Japanese koto (harp) and taiko (drum), plus a noten outdoor tea gathering, held at Josaien (城彩苑), the castle’s adjacent cultural shopping area. |
| Yabusame (Horseback Archery) | Nov 3 (Tue, public holiday) | A rare performance of Takeda-ryu Kishayabusame — a form of mounted archery passed down for roughly 1,100 years and designated a Kumamoto Prefecture Important Intangible Cultural Property. Watching an archer in full costume gallop past the castle walls is an experience you won’t forget. |
Extended Parking Hours
To accommodate evening visitors, four castle-area parking lots will extend their hours during the festival period (October 2 – November 1). Hours shift from the usual 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM (last entry 5:30 PM) to 8:00 AM – 9:30 PM (last entry 8:30 PM). Applicable lots are: Ninomaru Parking, Sannomaru Parking Lot 1, Sannomaru Parking Lot 2, and Kyunai Parking.
Practical Info
Admission fees apply inside the special public area. Crowds are expected to be heavy, especially on weekends and during the yabusame event. Organizers strongly recommend purchasing entry tickets in advance (available until the day before your visit) and using public transportation. The current operating status of Kumamoto City sightseeing facilities is worth checking before you head out, as conditions can change.
Source: Kumamoto Castle
