Kumamoto Castle, one of the most famous historical landmarks in Kumamoto Prefecture, reopened to visitors on Thursday, just over two weeks after a magnitude 7.1 earthquake struck southwestern Japan.
According to the Kumamoto city government, urgent safety checks were conducted across the entire castle grounds, including watchtowers, stone walls, and the main gate, to ensure there was no risk of collapse or serious damage from aftershocks.
The earthquake, which occurred on August 8, caused strong shaking across many areas of Kyushu Island, injuring dozens of people and disrupting transportation and daily life for local residents. Although no major infrastructure damage was reported, authorities decided to temporarily close the historic site for thorough inspections before allowing visitors back.
Kumamoto Castle, built in the 17th century, is one of Japan's three largest castles and was severely damaged in the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake. Its reopening is seen as a positive sign for the local tourism industry as the region gradually recovers from natural disasters.
The city government said it will continue to closely monitor seismic activity and is prepared to implement additional response measures if strong aftershocks occur in the near future.
