If you’ve ever wanted a symbolic stake in Kumamoto Castle’s ongoing restoration, the Fukko Joshu (復興城主, literally “Recovery Castle Lord”) program lets you do just that — donate to the castle’s rebuild and receive official recognition as one of its supporting lords. From April 1, 2026, the program is getting a meaningful refresh to mark the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake.
The headline change is the retirement of the Joshu Tegata (城主手形) — the traditional castle-lord pass that donors have received until now — in favour of a brand-new Joshu Kinen Fuda (城主記念札), or “Castle Lord Commemorative Card.” Rather than a static keepsake, the new card will feature a fresh design every year, showcasing photographs of the castle’s earthquake damage and its step-by-step restoration progress. It’s a living record of the castle’s recovery, and one that long-term supporters can collect year after year. Kumamoto Castle has a remarkable history of resilience that makes these cards a fitting way to honour that story.
One practical note worth flagging: the new commemorative card does not grant free entry to city-managed facilities, a benefit that the older Joshu Tegata carried. If free admission was part of why you joined, keep this change in mind when deciding whether to donate under the new scheme.
Here’s a quick summary of what is and isn’t changing:
| Benefit | Change |
|---|---|
| 城主証 (Joshu-sho) — Official lord certificate | No change |
| デジタル芳名板 (Digital honour board listing) | No change |
| 城主手形 (Joshute) — Castle lord pass | Replaced by new annual 城主記念札 (commemorative card) |
To qualify for the updated benefits, a single donation of ¥10,000 or more made on or after April 1, 2026 is required. Donations made before that date fall under the existing rules.
Unfortunately, donations are currently pretty hard to make as you either have to pay in cash at the shop at Ninomaru Park next to the castle, or do a domestic bank transfer. Hopefully the people in charge will make it easier to donate in the future so we can get the castle fully repaired faster than schedule.
The castle’s decade-long recovery has been closely tied to community and cultural support, so joining the program — even as a visitor — is a tangible way to be part of that story.
Source: Kumamoto City Tourism Guide
