Kumamoto Castle Shiro Akari
城あかり32°48′ N 130°42′ EFestivalOct 2, 2026
Shiro Akari suits anyone in Kumamoto this autumn who wants to see the castle lit at night, and the evening crowds make a pre-bought ticket worth having.
Road closure
Kumamoto is rebuilding after the 28 July 2026 earthquake, and most roads and lines are open
An M7.1 earthquake struck the Kumamoto region on 28 July 2026, and Uki and Yatsushiro took the worst of it. The Kyushu Shinkansen fully reopened on 18 September and JR's Kagoshima line between Uto and Yatsushiro on 10 October. The Minami-Kyushu Expressway stays closed between Yatsushiro JCT and Yatsushiro-minami IC while its bridges are repaired, and aftershocks continue. Aso and Amakusa are open to visitors, and their towns ask travellers to come.
Checked 2026-10-11 · bousai.go.jp
Dates and hours
- October 2, 2026 to November 1, 2026Confirmedsourcechecked Oct 11, 2026
For a month this autumn Kumamoto Castle opens at night for Shiro Akari, a light event the city holds as part of the recovery from the July 2026 earthquake. Projection mapping, lasers, searchlights and bamboo lanterns fill the square in front of the keep and the grounds around it.
The castle stays open until 21:00 while it runs, and the north gate ticket office opens in the evenings.
Worth knowing
- Buy your castle ticket online the day before to skip the evening queue.
Quick answers about Kumamoto Castle Shiro Akariよくある質問
When is Kumamoto Castle Shiro Akari?
Kumamoto Castle Shiro Akari takes place october into early November, during the autumn castle festival. The latest dates we have are October 2, 2026 to November 1, 2026, confirmed.
What are the opening hours of Kumamoto Castle Shiro Akari?
Kumamoto Castle Shiro Akari is open the castle grounds stay open until 21:00, with last entry at 20:00, while the event runs.