Solaseed Air plane for quake recovery

Solaseed Air plane for quake recovery

Photo taken on April 14, 2026, at Kumamoto airport in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, shows the image of Kumamoto Castle emblazoned on the body of a Solaseed Air plane. The special airplane, Go Forward Kumamoto, is aimed at supporting efforts to promote tourism and recovery from the two devastating earthquakes that hit the prefecture in April 2016.

Solaseed Air plane for quake recovery

Solaseed Air plane for quake recovery

Photo taken on April 14, 2026, at Kumamoto airport in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, shows the image of Kumamoto Castle emblazoned on the body of a Solaseed Air plane. The special airplane, Go Forward Kumamoto, is aimed at supporting efforts to promote tourism and recovery from the two devastating earthquakes that hit the prefecture in April 2016.

Solaseed Air plane for quake recovery

Solaseed Air plane for quake recovery

A ceremony is held at Kumamoto airport in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, on April 14, 2026, to mark the launch of a Solaseed Air plane emblazoned with images of Kumamoto Castle and other sightseeing spots of the prefecture. The special airplane, Go Forward Kumamoto, is aimed at supporting efforts to promote tourism and recovery from the two devastating earthquakes that hit the prefecture in April 2016.

10th anniversary of Kumamoto quakes

10th anniversary of Kumamoto quakes

Photo shows Kumamoto Castle still under repair in Kumamoto on April 13, 2026, the eve of the 10th anniversary of two devastating earthquakes in the southwestern Japan prefecture. A total of 278 people were killed in Kumamoto and Oita prefectures in the quakes on April 14 and 16, 2016.

10th anniversary of Kumamoto quakes

10th anniversary of Kumamoto quakes

Kumamoto Castle is illuminated in Kumamoto on April 13, 2026, the eve of the 10th anniversary of two devastating earthquakes in the southwestern Japan prefecture. A total of 278 people were killed in Kumamoto and Oita prefectures in the quakes on April 14 and 16, 2016.

10th anniversary of Kumamoto quakes

10th anniversary of Kumamoto quakes

Photo shows Kumamoto Castle still under repair in Kumamoto on April 13, 2026, the eve of the 10th anniversary of two devastating earthquakes in the southwestern Japan prefecture. A total of 278 people were killed in Kumamoto and Oita prefectures in the quakes on April 14 and 16, 2016.

10th anniversary of Kumamoto quakes

10th anniversary of Kumamoto quakes

Kumamoto Castle is illuminated in Kumamoto on April 13, 2026, the eve of the 10th anniversary of two devastating earthquakes in the southwestern Japan prefecture. A total of 278 people were killed in Kumamoto and Oita prefectures in the quakes on April 14 and 16, 2016.

10th anniversary of Kumamoto quakes

10th anniversary of Kumamoto quakes

Photo shows Kumamoto Castle (back, L) in Kumamoto on April 13, 2026, the eve of the 10th anniversary of two devastating earthquakes in the southwestern Japan prefecture. A total of 278 people were killed in Kumamoto and Oita prefectures in the quakes on April 14 and 16, 2016.

10th anniversary of Kumamoto quakes

10th anniversary of Kumamoto quakes

Photo shows Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto on April 13, 2026, the eve of the 10th anniversary of two devastating earthquakes in the southwestern Japan prefecture. A total of 278 people were killed in Kumamoto and Oita prefectures in the quakes on April 14 and 16, 2016.

10th anniversary of Kumamoto quakes

10th anniversary of Kumamoto quakes

Photo shows Kumamoto Castle (back) in Kumamoto on April 13, 2026, the eve of the 10th anniversary of two devastating earthquakes in the southwestern Japan prefecture. A total of 278 people were killed in Kumamoto and Oita prefectures in the quakes on April 14 and 16, 2016.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on April 11, 2026.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on April 11, 2026.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on April 11, 2026.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on April 11, 2026.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on April 11, 2026.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on April 11, 2026.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on April 11, 2026.

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto

The Japan Air Self-Defense Force's Blue Impulse aerobatic team flies over Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on April 11, 2026.

Total lunar eclipse

Total lunar eclipse

A total lunar eclipse is seen above Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, on March 3, 2026.

Total lunar eclipse

Total lunar eclipse

A total lunar eclipse is seen above Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, on March 3, 2026.

Total lunar eclipse

Total lunar eclipse

A total lunar eclipse is seen above Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, on March 3, 2026.

Cherry tree comes into bloom in Kochi

Cherry tree comes into bloom in Kochi

A sample "Somei Yoshino" cherry tree comes into bloom at Kochi Castle in the western Japan city of Kochi on March 23, 2025, marking the country's earliest bloom together with the southwestern Japan city of Kumamoto.

Artificial sea of clouds at Kumamoto Castle

Artificial sea of clouds at Kumamoto Castle

Kumamoto Castle in the southwestern Japan city of Kumamoto is surrounded by an artificial sea of clouds on Oct. 9, 2024, created to attract tourists.

Repair work at Kumamoto Castle

Repair work at Kumamoto Castle

Photo taken April 10, 2024, shows Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, under repair after being severely damaged in a pair of massive earthquakes in April 2016. The castle is expected to be fully restored in fiscal 2052.

Repair work at Kumamoto Castle

Repair work at Kumamoto Castle

Photo taken April 5, 2024, shows Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, under repair after being severely damaged in a pair of massive earthquakes in April 2016. The castle is expected to be fully restored in fiscal 2052.

Repair work at Kumamoto Castle

Repair work at Kumamoto Castle

Photo taken April 5, 2024, shows Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, under repair after being severely damaged in a pair of massive earthquakes in April 2016. The castle is expected to be fully restored in fiscal 2052.

Kumamoto Castle

Kumamoto Castle

Photo taken on April 5, 2024, shows Kumamoto Castle still under repair after it was severely damaged in a pair of massive earthquakes that hit Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, in April 2016.

Kumamoto Castle

Kumamoto Castle

Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter on April 10, 2024, shows Kumamoto Castle still under repair after it was severely damaged in a pair of massive earthquakes that hit Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, in April 2016.

Envoys from EU member countries visit Kumamoto

Envoys from EU member countries visit Kumamoto

Ambassadors to Japan from European Union member countries pose for a photo in front of Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, on Feb. 9, 2024.

Kumamon in Shanghai

Kumamon in Shanghai

Kumamon, the official black bear mascot of Japan's Kumamoto Prefecture, explains the progress in the reconstruction of the earthquake-hit Kumamoto Castle during an event with students of a junior high school in Shanghai on June 30, 2023. The school sent a donation to Kumamoto following the massive quakes that ravaged the southwestern Japan prefecture in April 2016.

Kumamoto airport renovation

Kumamoto airport renovation

Photo taken on March 23, 2023, shows the exterior of a new terminal building at Kumamoto airport in Mashiki, Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, on the day of its opening. The building was designed in the image of the Kumamoto Castle.

Kumamoto marks 5th anniversary of quakes

Kumamoto marks 5th anniversary of quakes

KUMAMOTO, Japan, April 14 Kyodo - Combined photos taken from a Kyodo News helicopter show Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto. The top image was taken on April 15, 2016, showing damage sustained in the first of a pair of massive earthquakes that hit the southwestern Japan region the previous day. The middle photo was taken on April 3, 2018, showing restoration work and the bottom image taken on April 14, 2021, shows the castle prepared to open the interior of the castle towers to the public about two weeks later.

Kumamoto marks 5th anniversary of quakes

Kumamoto marks 5th anniversary of quakes

KUMAMOTO, Japan, April 14 Kyodo - Photo taken from a Kyodo News helicopter shows Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, on April 14, 2021, the fifth anniversary of the first of a pair of massive deadly earthquakes. The castle towers, which sustained damage in the disaster, have seen restoration work completed.

Cross stands on ruins of Hara Castle

Cross stands on ruins of Hara Castle

NAGASAKI, Japan - A man walks around a cross standing on the premises of the Hara Castle remains in Minamishimabara, Nagasaki Prefecture, as seen in this photo taken on Sept. 6, 2013. The site is part of the churches and Christian heritage sites in Nagasaki and Kumamoto prefectures endorsed by a Japanese government panel as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site candidate.

People in feudal warrior costumes promote Kumamoto Castle

People in feudal warrior costumes promote Kumamoto Castle

NAGOYA, Japan - People clad in feudal warriors' costumes perform at Central Japan International Airport near Nagoya on Feb. 23, 2014, to promote Kumamoto Castle in the city of Kumamoto.

Kyushu Shinkansen bullet train

Kyushu Shinkansen bullet train

FUKUOKA, Japan - A bullet train on the Kyushu Shinkansen Line passes Kumamoto Castle in the southwestern Japan city of Kumamoto in October 2010 during a test run.

Suzanne promotes her hometown of Kumamoto

Suzanne promotes her hometown of Kumamoto

KUMAMOTO, Japan - TV personality Suzanne sings a promotional song for her home prefecture of Kumamoto during an event at Kumamoto Castle in the western Japan city of Kumamoto on March 24, 2010.

Contributors to Kumamoto Castle reconstruction to be given free passport

Contributors to Kumamoto Castle reconstruction to be given free passport

KUMAMOTO, Japan - Photo shows a certificate (top) and a sample of a name plate (below) the Kumamoto municipality will give to those who contribute to the reconstruction of Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture, a major castle in Japan. The municipality will allow those who contribute 10,000 yen or more to post their names or others on a plate in the castle tower and also free entry to the castle's dungeon palace.

Special Olympics flames merged into one

Special Olympics flames merged into one

MATSUMOTO, Japan - A ceremony to merge two Special Olympics flames -- one brought from Athens, Greece, and the other from Mt. Aso, Kumamoto Prefecture -- is held Feb. 19 at Matsumoto Castle in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. The resulting flame will be carried through two routes to Nagano, the site of the Special Olympics World Winter Games beginning Feb. 26.

Japanese Castle

Japanese Castle

Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto Prefecture (Dec.1998)

U.N.-set day to eliminate violence against women

U.N.-set day to eliminate violence against women

Kumamoto Castle is lit up in purple in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, on Nov. 12, 2022, ahead of the U.N.-designated International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on Nov. 25.

6th anniversary of Kumamoto quakes

6th anniversary of Kumamoto quakes

Photo shows Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto on April 14, 2022, the sixth anniversary of two devastating earthquakes in the southwestern Japan prefecture. A total of 276 people were killed in Kumamoto and Oita prefectures in the quakes on April 14 and 16, 2016.

Solidarity with Ukraine

Solidarity with Ukraine

Kumamoto Castle in the southwestern Japan city of Kumamoto is lit up in the colors of the Ukrainian flag on March 1, 2022, in a show of unity with Ukraine following Russia's invasion of the neighboring country.

Heavy rain in Japan

Heavy rain in Japan

People holding umbrellas walk in the rain in Kumamoto, southwestern Japan, on Aug. 13, 2021, with Kumamoto Castle seen in the background. Japan's weather agency issued warnings covering wide areas of the country.

Special Olympics flames merged into one

Special Olympics flames merged into one

MATSUMOTO, Japan - A ceremony to merge two Special Olympics flames -- one brought from Athens, Greece, and the other from Mt. Aso, Kumamoto Prefecture -- is held Feb. 19 at Matsumoto Castle in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. The resulting flame will be carried through two routes to Nagano, the site of the Special Olympics World Winter Games beginning Feb. 26. (Kyodo)

Seismic diagnosis to be conducted on Hikone Castle

Seismic diagnosis to be conducted on Hikone Castle

File photo taken in March 2016 in the western Japan city of Hikone shows Hikone Castle, a national treasure. The municipal government has decided to carry out a seismic analysis of the castle from the next fiscal year, as Kumamoto Castle was severely damaged by a series of powerful earthquakes. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Removal of collapsed stone walls at Kumamoto Castle starts

Removal of collapsed stone walls at Kumamoto Castle starts

Municipal officials of the southwestern Japan city of Kumamoto work on June 7, 2016, to clear collapsed stone walls at Kumamoto Castle following a series of powerful earthquakes in April. It is estimated that it will take over 10 years to reconstruct the castle. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Removal of collapsed stone walls at Kumamoto Castle starts

Removal of collapsed stone walls at Kumamoto Castle starts

Municipal officials of the southwestern Japan city of Kumamoto work on June 7, 2016, to clear collapsed stone walls at Kumamoto Castle following a series of powerful earthquakes in April. It is estimated that it will take over 10 years to reconstruct the castle. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Removal of collapsed stone walls at Kumamoto Castle starts

Removal of collapsed stone walls at Kumamoto Castle starts

Municipal officials of the southwestern Japan city of Kumamoto work on June 7, 2016, to clear collapsed stone walls at Kumamoto Castle following a series of powerful earthquakes in April. It is estimated that it will take over 10 years to reconstruct the castle. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo

Kumamoto Castle lit up for 1st time since mid-April quakes

Kumamoto Castle lit up for 1st time since mid-April quakes

Kumamoto Castle in the Japanese city of Kumamoto is lit up on June 1, 2016, for the first time since it was hit by powerful earthquakes in mid-April. (Kyodo) ==Kyodo