Kumamoto travel
Kumamoto Castle
Kumamoto Castle · 熊本城
At Kumamoto Castle, explore the keep and see restoration of earthquake damage. Include it in your city trip to see the castle up close and learn about its recovery.
Visitor information
Admission
Individual castle-only admission is JPY 800 for senior high school students and older, JPY 300 for primary and junior high school students and free for preschool children under six. Check combined tickets, concessions and group rates separately in the official fare table. Wakuwakuza has a closure notice, so check operation before buying a combined ticket.
Opening hours
The castle opens 09:00–17:00 in September–June, with castle admission until 16:00 and keep admission until 16:30. It opens 09:00–19:00 in July–August, with castle admission until 18:00 and keep admission until 18:30. General guidance lists Ninomaru ticket office closing at 16:00 year-round. The castle closes 29 December; bad weather or construction may change operation. Check dated notices for event extensions and keep cutoffs.
What to see at Kumamoto Castle
The keep and castle restoration
See the keep alongside the castle's restoration work. Stay on permitted visitor paths to observe progress and keep out of construction areas.
How to get to Kumamoto Castle
Take an A-line tram towards Kengunmachi from JR Kumamoto Station to Kumamoto Castle/City Hall. The ride takes about 20 minutes. Walk about 15 minutes via Josaien to Ninomaru Square, then allow further time to reach the admission entrance. Use the southern entrance on weekdays and follow the latest visitor map around construction.
Official visitor guide Kumamoto Castle access guide A/B tram transfer conditions
Before you visit
Check the keep's viewing cutoff
Paid castle viewing covers a different area from surrounding walks. Check both castle and keep admission cutoffs if entering the keep.
Follow the visitor map to the entrance
Use the southern entrance on weekdays. Construction may change accessible routes on weekends and public holidays, so follow the visitor map for your date.
Tickets and booking for Kumamoto Castle
Read the product details and conditions before booking.
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Questions about Kumamoto Castle
Can I visit Kumamoto Castle and Wakuwakuza together?
An official notice dated 18 September 2026 announced Wakuwakuza's closure. Plan on castle-only viewing first. To visit both, check Wakuwakuza's operation for your date before buying a combined ticket.
Castle operation and Wakuwakuza closure notice, updated 18 September 2026 Official visitor guide
Official sources
- Official sources ·
- Official sources ·
- Official sources ·
- Official sources ·
- Official sources ·
- Official sources ·
- Official visitor guide ·
- Castle operation and Wakuwakuza closure notice, updated 18 September 2026 ·
- Event opening extensions ·
- Kumamoto Castle access guide ·
- A/B tram transfer conditions ·
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