In the wake of the 2026 Kumamoto earthquake, the area around Kumamoto Castle is operating on a modified schedule while safety inspections continue. The situation may change at short notice as aftershocks are still being monitored, so always check for the latest updates before heading out.
What’s Open and What’s Closed
| Facility | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Kumamoto Castle (castle grounds) | ⛔ Temporarily Closed | The Fukko Shichu (Recovery Lord) reception desk and Ninomaru Rest Area have reopened |
| Sakura no Baba Johsaien — Wakuwaku-za Museum | ⛔ Temporarily Closed | — |
| Sakura no Koji (dining & shopping) | ✅ Normal Hours | Restaurants and shops operating as usual |
| Tourist Information Center | ✅ Normal Hours | — |
| Tourist Information Center 2F Multipurpose Hall | ⛔ Unavailable | — |
| Volunteer Guide Service (Kumamoto Yokatoko Annai-nin no Kai) | ✅ Resumed | — |
| Kumamoto Omotenashi Bushotai (samurai ambassador team) | ✅ Partial Activity | Talk sessions & photo ops inside Johsaien — no stage performances. Times: 11:00–12:00 and 14:30–15:30 |
| Kumamoto City Museum (熊本博物館) | ⛔ Temporarily Closed | — |
| Kumamoto Prefectural Art Museum (熊本県立美術館) | ⛔ Temporarily Closed | — |
Parking
| Lot | Status |
|---|---|
| Ninomaru Parking Lot (二の丸駐車場) | ✅ Open |
| Miyauchi Parking Lot (宮内駐車場) | ✅ Open |
| Sakura no Baba Bus Parking Lot | ✅ Open |
| Sannomaru Lot 1 (三の丸第一駐車場) | ⛔ Closed |
| Sannomaru Lot 2 (三の丸第二駐車場) | ⛔ Closed |
| Sakura no Baba Tourism Facility Parking Lot | ⛔ Closed |
Traffic and Access
Road restrictions are in place around the castle perimeter for safety reasons. Importantly, access to Kato Shrine (加藤神社) is currently not possible. Follow all on-site signage when visiting, and expect some detours. The castle grounds’ main entrance area remains cordoned off in sections while inspection teams work through the site.
This information was last updated on August 3, 2026. Given that aftershocks are ongoing, the status of any facility can change quickly — check the official Kumamoto Castle website or the castle's earthquake anniversary page for real-time updates before your visit.
Source: Kumamoto Castle
