Ten years after the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake, restoration work at Kumamoto Castle is still very much underway — and this August, you can experience it firsthand. The castle is hosting a series of special guided tours that take small groups inside the restoration zone, with expert commentary explaining exactly what’s happening and why. It’s a rare opportunity to see the living history of recovery, not just the polished result.
The tours run on four evenings in August 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM (approximately), giving the added bonus of seeing the castle grounds in the cooler, softer light of early evening. Each session is capped at just 20 people on a first-come, first-served basis, so early registration is strongly recommended. The participation fee is ¥3,000 per person (tax included).
| Date | Day | Time | Capacity | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| August 7, 2026 | Friday | 17:00–19:00 | 20 people | ¥3,000 (tax incl.) |
| August 8, 2026 | Saturday | 17:00–19:00 | 20 people | ¥3,000 (tax incl.) |
| August 14, 2026 | Friday | 17:00–19:00 | 20 people | ¥3,000 (tax incl.) |
| August 15, 2026 | Saturday | 17:00–19:00 | 20 people | ¥3,000 (tax incl.) |
Advance registration is required for all dates. Full details and the sign-up link can be found on the Kumamoto City Tourism Guide website. If you want to understand the scale of what’s being rebuilt — and what was lost in 2016 — this kind of expert-led walk is hard to beat. For context on the long-term restoration effort, see our article on Kumamoto Castle's crowdfunding campaign, which has been helping fund the rebuild since the earthquake.
August also overlaps with the Hino Kuni Matsuri (Fire Country Festival), Kumamoto’s biggest summer festival, running July 31–August 2 — so if you’re planning a trip to the city in early August, there’s plenty to fill your itinerary around the castle tour dates.
Source: Kumamoto Castle
