The reconstruction and restoration of Kumamoto Castle... will take at least 20 years, all because of the Japanese commitment to “every brick and tile.”

▲ Kumamoto Castle was severely damaged after the earthquake and is still under continuous restoration. (Photo by reporter Lai Wenxuan, the same below)

Reporter Lai Wenxuan / Reported from Kumamoto, Japan

On April 16 last year, a powerful shallow earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale struck Kumamoto Prefecture in Japan. This major earthquake caused devastating casualties, with many mountain roads being severed, and many of Kumamoto’s famous historic sites also collapsing severely in the quake. A year after the Kumamoto earthquake, the lives of most residents and major transportation routes have long since returned to normal, but the restoration of Kumamoto Castle and Aso Shrine—both designated as important cultural properties of Japan—still has a long way to go. This is because the Japanese insist that every “brick and tile” of the buildings must be returned to their original positions. They do not seek speed, only the preservation of historical authenticity.

▲ % The stone walls collapsed severely due to the local 7.3 magnitude earthquake.

Kumamoto Castle is one of the must-visit attractions for travelers coming to Kumamoto. With a history of 400 years, Kumamoto Castle is known as the “Impregnable Castle” and is also listed as one of Japan’s Three Great Castles. However, after the Kumamoto earthquake last year, 13 important cultural properties and 20 structures within Kumamoto Castle were severely damaged. Many sections of the castle walls, including the stone walls, collapsed, such as the entrance Daimon Gate, the North Eighteen Interval Turret, and the East Eighteen Interval Turret. Even the most iconic roof tiles of the keep were shattered, and it remains under restoration to this day.

▲ Each collapsed stone is numbered, and the restoration project will piece them back together one by one using modern technology to match their original locations.

However, the restoration of Kumamoto Castle is a very long process. Hiromi Hamada, deputy director of the Kumamoto Castle General Office, said that because Kumamoto Castle is an important cultural property of Japan, no step in the restoration process can be taken lightly. “Every brick and tile” must be placed back according to the original construction method, returning the stones to their original positions.

▲ % The restoration work here is extremely meticulous, with each stone carefully aligned to its original spot. (Image via official page)

The restoration work of Kumamoto Castle first involves collecting all the stones that fell during the earthquake, then numbering each individual stone, and finally using photo comparisons and software analysis to place the stones back in their proper positions. The restoration project is estimated to take over 20 years to fully restore Kumamoto Castle, but it is precisely because of these meticulous requirements that the historic Kumamoto Castle can be preserved and continue to showcase its charm in the future.

▲ % The site remains open for visitors even during restoration, offering a glimpse into the ongoing repair efforts.