Travel in Kumamoto
Kumamoto Castle
Kumamoto Castle · 熊本城
At Kumamoto Castle, explore the keep and see the restoration of earthquake damage along permitted visitor routes.
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Visitor information at a glance
Admission
Individual castle-only admission is 800 yen for high-school students and older, 300 yen for primary-school and junior-high pupils, 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 and closed days
September–June hours are 09:00–17:00, with last castle admission at 16:00 and keep entry at 16:30. July–August hours are 09:00–19:00, with last castle admission at 18:00 and keep entry at 18:30. General guidance lists Ninomaru ticket sales until 16:00 year-round. The castle closes on 29 December. Bad weather or construction may change operation. Check visit-date notices for event extensions and keep deadlines.
What can I see at Kumamoto Castle?
Keep and castle restoration
Explore the keep and castle restoration. Observe the work up close while staying out of construction areas and following permitted visitor routes.
How to get to Kumamoto Castle
Take tram route A from JR Kumamoto Station towards Kengunmachi to Kumamotojo/Shiyakusho-mae. The tram ride takes about 20 minutes. The walk via Josaien to Ninomaru Square is about 15 minutes; this is square access, so add time to reach the viewing entrance. Use the south entrance on weekdays and follow the latest visitor map around construction.
Official visitor guide Kumamoto Castle access Route A/B transfer conditions
Before you visit
Check keep admission deadlines too
Paid interior viewing covers different areas from surrounding walks. To enter the keep, check the castle’s admission deadline and the keep’s own last entry separately.
Follow the visitor map to the entrance
Use the south entrance on weekdays. Construction can change accessible routes on weekends and public holidays too. Follow the visitor map for your date.
Book admission to Kumamoto Castle
Check the visit date, included areas and cancellation conditions on the booking page before choosing a ticket.
Book admission tickets on Trip.com →English booking page · USDJapanLiveNow may earn a commission if you book through this link.
Questions about Kumamoto Castle
Can I visit Kumamoto Castle and Wakuwakuza together?
An official September 18, 2026 notice announced Wakuwakuza’s closure. Plan castle-only viewing first. Before buying a combined ticket to see both, check Wakuwakuza’s operation for your date.
Castle operation and Wakuwakuza closure notice, updated 2026-09-18 Official visitor guide
Sources and dates checked
- Sources and dates checked ·
- Sources and dates checked ·
- Sources and dates checked ·
- Sources and dates checked ·
- Sources and dates checked ·
- Sources and dates checked ·
- Official visitor guide ·
- Castle operation and Wakuwakuza closure notice, updated 2026-09-18 ·
- Event-period extensions ·
- Kumamoto Castle access ·
- Route A/B transfer conditions ·
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