Kumamoto CastleGrand Unveiling

The Grand Unveiling The Third Stage

Complete Tenshukaku Restoration & Interior Grand Opening

With the complete restoration of the entire Tenshukaku, Kumamoto Castle is exhibiting its overall renewal from June 28, 2021. Now, visitors can enjoy top-floor views from this castle tower.
The Renewal Exhibition takes a close look at the history of Kumamoto Castle's Tenshukaku. With physical models and videos, it explains in simple terms the tower's history, from its construction to its destruction by fire in the civil war of 1877, its rebuilding in 1960, as well as its damage and restoration after the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake.

The Viewing Guide is HERE
The Cellar

The Cellar

The Basement

The Sho-Tenshu (Small Tower) basement, which serves as the entrance of the Tenshukaku, uses existing remnants of original castle walls and wells to exhibit the image of a kitchen during the Edo era (1603-1868).

The Kato Era
The Kato Era

The Kato Era

The 1st Floor

In addition to the castle construction and river renovation projects carried out by Kato Kiyomasa, the process of designing and building Japanese castle towers in the Edo era are explained with large physical models. What's more, the theater features films on these topics, such as "The Indomitable Castle" and "The Impregnable Castle".

The Hosokawa Era
The Hosokawa Era

The Hosokawa Era

The 2nd Floor

Physical models and video projections are used to introduce improvements made to the castle and its grounds when it was ruled under the Hosokawa Clan. There is also an armory exhibit, and a video shows Lord Hosokawa appearing at the castle.

The Modern Era
The Modern Era

The Modern Era

The 3rd Floor

Videos introduce the history of Kumamoto Castle from the Meiji era (1868-1912), including its management under the Japanese Army, its destruction by fire in the Satsuma Rebellion of 1877, the Kumamoto Earthquake of 1947, and the reconstruction of the castle tower in 1960.

The Present Day
The Present Day

The Present Day

The 4th Floor

Here you can see videos and physical models that introduce repairs and restorations made to the the castle during the Showa (1926-1989) and Heisei (1989-2019) eras, and again during the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake. You can also find a digital guestbook bearing the signatures of "Castle Lords" who have donated to these restorations.

Viewing Area
Viewing Area

Viewing Area

The 6th Floor

The top floor of the tower overlooks the reconstruction taking place in Kumamoto Castle and the surrounding city. What's more, by using the AR function on our smartphone app you can see a view from the castle tower from the early Meiji Era, made using an old photograph superimposed over the present scenery.

Introducing Kumamoto Castle's Official App!

Please download Kumamoto Castle's Official App to your smartphone.

App Functions
①Enjoy recorded and subtitled guidance to the written and video contents explaining the Tenshukaku's Permanent Exhibitions.
*Available languages: Japanese, English, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Korean
②In the Viewing Area on the 6th Floor of the Dai-Tenshu tower, enjoy views of how Kumamoto used to look through old photos superimposed on the current scenery by using the app's AR (Augmented Reality) function.
QR code
Download the App
Please search for and download Kumamoto Castle's Official App by reading the QR code or by accessing the App Store or Google Play.
You can use the Free Wi-Fi to download this app inside the Tenshukaku.

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

【Inquiries about viewing Kumamoto Castle】
Kumamoto Castle Administration Center 096-223-5011
Desk Hours　9：00～17：00

The Grand Unveiling　The Third Stage

Opening Date

From Monday, June 28th

Open Hours

9：00～17：00（Last admission 16：30）

Ticket Sales

Ninomaru Ticket Office Business Hours
9：00～16：30

Wakuwakuza Ticket Office Business Hours
8：45～16：00

South Entrance Ticket Station Business Hours
9：00～16：30

North Entrance Ticket Station Business Hours
9：00～16：30

Requests to Prevent the Spread of the Novel Coronavirus (Covid-19)
  • ・Admission will be refused to those with symptoms such as fevers or colds.
  • ・We ask that you practice cough etiquette, frequent hand-washing, and hand sanitation.
  • ・Please follow the instructions of the staff inside the castle park grounds.

Points to Remember When Visiting

  • ※The pathways are slippery when it rains. Please wear non-slip soled shoes when visiting the castle.
  • ※When crowded, please refrain from taking photographs using camera tripods or selfie sticks.
  • ※While pets may not be taken inside the castle park, assistance dogs are allowed to accompany visitors.
  • ※No flames or fires are allowed inside Kumamoto Castle park grounds.
    Paid facilities have no indoor smoking areas, so smokers are asked to use the smoking areas next to the Ninomaru Free Rest Area or at Josaien.
  • ※We request that you refrain from eating in observation areas. Drinks are allowed, providing they have lids.
  • ※Visitors needing wheelchairs, including electrically power-assisted ones, may borrow them for free (It is necessary to be accompanied by a helper, and the wheelchairs may not be used on rainy days).
  • ※Baby strollers are allowed to be brought and used.
  • ※During the Grand Unveiling, the area surrounding Kumamoto Castle is expected to be very crowded.
    We ask that you take public transportation to come to the castle and allow plenty of time for viewing.
  • Depending on crowd conditions, entry restrictions may be imposed.

the Grand Unveiling Admission

High School Students and older
800 yen (640 yen)
Elementary/Junior High School Students
300 yen（240 yen）
Children under 6 years old
Free

The admission fee of ( ) is for groups of 30 or more members.

※There are cases in which the following people will be exempt from paying admission: elementary and juinor high students attending schools in Kumamoto City, those furnished with copies of a physical disability handbook, residents over 65 years old, and those bearing a signed hand print from the lord of the castle.Please check this out for details
For more details, please inquire at Kumamoto Castle's comprehensive offices.Please come by the business hours of each ticket office.

Joint Admission Ticket

Two Hall Joint Admission Ticket (Kumamoto Castle・Wakuwaku-za)

High School Students and older
850 yen
Elementary/Junior High School Students
300 yen

Three Hall Joint Admission Ticket (Kumamoto Castle・Wakuwaku-za・ Kumamoto City Museum)

High School Students and older
1,100 yen
Elementary/Junior High School Students
400 yen

How to Enter the Castle Park

Purchasing Admission Tickets (over-the-counter purchases)

Purchasing Methods

Purchasing & Receiving Admission Tickets (at Ticket Offices / Stations)

  • ※Visitors exempt from paying admission, as well as those with coupons, are still required to pick up admission tickets at a Ticket Office or Station.
  • ※You may have to wait in line to get your tickets, so please allow extra time when visiting the castle.
  • ※Combination tickets for all three museums may also be purchased at the Kumamoto City Museum.

Payment Methods

Either cash or cashless payment tools may be used

  • ※Accepted cashless payment brands differ, according to the ticket sales counter. For more details, please check the chart below.
  • Accepted Credit Cards:VISA, MasterCard, JCB, UnionPay, Diner's Club, American Express
  • ※UnionPay is not available at the ticket vending machines.
  • Electronic Money Payments:Transportation IC cards, Edy, WAON, nanaco, iD, QUICPay y
  • QR Code Payment Methods: WeChatPay, ALIPAY, LINE Pay, PayPay, au PAY, d-Barai, Merpay, UnionPay QR、JKOPAY
  • ※JKOPAY is not available at the Wakuwakuza Ticket Office.

Park Entrance Access

Entrance Access

※Free shuttle bus service between Josaien and Ninomaru Park is available from 9 am to 5pm.

Access to Kumamoto Castle is HERE