Videos shared online showed part of the castle’s stone walls collapsing, with large rocks scattered around the base of the centuries-old fortress, the New York Times reported.
In a brief post on social media on Tuesday, the castle’s management announced that operations were suspended for the day because of the earthquake and urged the public to prioritize their safety.
The post did not mention whether the historic structure had sustained any damage, NBC News reported.
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A collapsed part of Kumamoto Castle’s stone walls in Kumamoto, Japan, July 28, 2026. Photo by Reuters |
Completed in 1607, Kumamoto Castle was built by feudal lord Kato Kiyomasa and is widely regarded as one of Japan’s finest castles.
Over more than four centuries, it has played a central role in the nation’s history and remains one of Kumamoto’s most recognizable landmarks.
A 7.1-magnitude earthquake struck the southwestern region of Kumamoto prefecture on Kyushu island on Tuesday afternoon, causing widespread damage, sparking fires and leaving tens of thousands of homes without power, AFP reported.
The quake also disrupted tourism in the region.
JR Kyushu, the regional railway company, suspended services on Tuesday, including its high-speed bullet trains. Kumamoto airport also shut its runway as airlines diverted and cancelled flights, The Guardian reported.