From October 2 to November 1, 2026, Kumamoto Castle hosts the Autumn Kumamoto Castle Festival — Shiroakari. The special-viewing areas stay open until 9pm (last entry 8pm), as projection mapping, lasers, searchlights, mist and bamboo lanterns wrap the castle in a fantastical glow.
AT NIGHT
Lasers, searchlights, projection mapping and mist evoke Kumamoto’s abundant water, while the floodlit keep is paired with the soft glow of bamboo lanterns. A decade on from the 2016 earthquake, seeing the restored keep lit for the season — under the theme of walking together toward the future — carries its own weight.
| Dates | October 2 – November 1, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Venue | Kumamoto Castle grounds |
| Features | Extended evening hours (until 9pm, last entry 8pm); projection mapping, lasers, searchlights, mist, and bamboo-lantern illumination |
| Official Info | https://kumamoto-guide.jp/oshiromatsuri/events/detail/124 |
PLANNING YOUR VISIT
Kumamoto is on the Kyushu Shinkansen between Hakata and Kagoshima, about 40 minutes from Hakata. The castle is the city’s heart; pair the night festival with its restored keep by day.
Source: Kumamoto City #WestGoldenRoute #Kumamoto #KumamotoCastle #Nukumori
