Visitors to Kumamoto Castle after quake reopening half level of year before

Kumamoto Castle in southwestern Japan is struggling to lure back visitors despite its reopening around two weeks after a recent powerful earthquake.Between Aug. 13, the day the castle reopened after the magnitude-7.1 quake, and Aug. 27, it saw 32,400 visitors, only about half the level seen in the same period in 2025, according to the Kumamoto city government.Tourism is a major driver of the regional economy in Kyushu that includes Kumamoto, and the lasting impact of the quake has made local people worried.The strong earthquake on July 28 caused stone walls in the castle's compound to colla…READ FULL ARTICLE