Beautiful and historically rich site. The castle and museum are separate but both worth visiting. Great mix of traditional architecture and informative exhibits. It was very hot during my visit — highly recommend bringing a fan, water, hat, or sunglasses. A must-see spot in Kumamoto!
It is quite a beautiful castle and is currently undergoing repairs from a recent earthquake.
Do note that there are stairs all the way to the 7th floor, but you can seek the guards' help to use the lift if you require it.
All signages are in Japanese, though there is a QR code that allows you to listen to the English translation. (Not sure about other languages). It is one of the better preserved castles in Japan, though I do like the Matsumoto Jo slightly better.
There is ample paid parking around the grounds or it is a 15-20 minutes' walk from Sakuramachi.
Beautifully restored. It’s also interesting how the museum has presented the timeline in its entirety. I wished there were more English translations as most of the information was provided in Japanese. It is overall a nice place and reasonable price to enter. There is a small museum in another location where the ticket can be bought together at the castle entrance. I do recommend adding that on since it’s only JPY50 more.
Simply a must see if you are in Kumamoto. Damaged in the 2016 earthquake, the city has been gradually repairing sections of the castle surroundings. Currently has a temporary bridge and walkway installment to goes from the entrance to the main courtyard. Very wheelchair friendly, with elevators if you want to avoid the many steps. The government aims to have all the renovations completed within two decades, but I think the temporary walkway installment adds to the charm as it gives a better vantage point then standing on the ground would've. The cost of entry is 800 yen for just the castle, 850 yen for a bundle ticket with the castle museum, and 1100 yen for the three locations, which I personally do not recommend. The best value is the 850 yej for two attractions, as the castle museum has some really cool exhibits, especially the 3D projection of the damage the earthquake caused.
Visiting Kumamoto Castle was definitely one of the highlights of my trip to Kyushu. It’s one of Japan’s most iconic castles, and you can really feel the historical significance the moment you approach the grounds. Even from a distance, the black-and-white structure rising above the trees is an impressive sight.
The main keep has been beautifully restored, especially after the damage from the 2016 earthquake. They’ve done an incredible job preserving the original look while also making it accessible to visitors. You can now go inside the keep, where there are several floors of exhibits detailing the castle’s history, construction, samurai culture, and the restoration process itself. The top floor offers a great panoramic view of Kumamoto city—definitely worth the climb.
The castle grounds are quite large, so it’s a pleasant place to just walk around and take in the scenery. Some parts are still under repair, but there’s plenty that’s already open to the public. We spent a good couple of hours there exploring the different turrets, gates, and stone walls. The way the massive stones are stacked is a work of art on its own.
I appreciated how informative the signage was—everything was presented in both Japanese and English, which helped me understand the stories behind what I was seeing. There were also a few staff and volunteers in costume, which added a nice immersive touch.
If you’re planning to go, try to visit earlier in the day or later in the afternoon to avoid the mid-day crowd. And wear comfortable shoes—you’ll be doing quite a bit of walking, especially if you want to explore the outer areas of the castle grounds.
Overall, Kumamoto Castle offers a great mix of history, architecture, and views. It’s a must-visit if you’re in the region and a great way to appreciate the resilience of the city and its people after the earthquake.
