It may take decades to restore it: 11 photos reveal the current state of Kumamoto Castle after its collapse

▲ The Karashitora-mon Gate, the most frequently used entrance for tourists to Kumamoto Castle, has been blocked by rubble and mud on the path leading to the keep. (Photo / From Kumamoto Castle’s official fan page)

Travel Center / Comprehensive Report

The major earthquake that struck Kumamoto, Japan, severely damaged the Aso and Oita regions, causing widespread devastation. Kumamoto Castle, known as the “Impregnable Castle,” also suffered extensive damage in the quake. Not only did several historic structures collapse, but parts of the stone walls beneath the keep also crumbled. The Kumamoto Castle Management Office estimates that it will take at least several decades to fully restore the castle.

▲ The tiles on the roof of the keep have also been badly damaged. (Photo / Screenshot from Yahoo Japan)

According to Japanese media reports, the damaged areas include the Karashitora-mon Gate, the most commonly used entrance for tourists. The entire pathway is blocked by collapsed stones and mud, and the roof tiles of the keep have been shaken off. The North Eighteen Rooms Turret and East Eighteen Rooms Turret, both designated as Important Cultural Properties of Japan and over 400 years old, have completely collapsed, with debris crushing the roof of the Kumamoto Great Shrine.

Some users have also shared on Twitter images of multiple collapsed structures at Kumamoto Castle. Many of the stone walls and foundations beneath the buildings have crumbled, posing an imminent risk of further collapse, causing concern among many about this iconic Japanese landmark.

▲ The East Eighteen Rooms Turret was completely destroyed by the quake. (Photo / Screenshot from the Twitter account お城好き＠九州)

▲ The original appearance of the East Eighteen Rooms Turret before the quake. (Photo / Screenshot from the Agency for Cultural Affairs)

Damage to Kumamoto Castle
I really hope the South Great Gate can hold up. pic.twitter.com/BYEHPUIWU7

— お城好き＠九州 (@stoshizou7) April 15, 2016

▲ The collapsed South Great Gate

Damage to Kumamoto Castle
The West Great Gate, the area behind the Drum Turret, and the X@ in the West Outer Bailey were all completely destroyed. pic.twitter.com/lpSGLX4I3T

— お城好き＠九州 (@stoshizou7) April 15, 2016

▲ The West Great Gate and other areas were almost entirely leveled.

▲ Stone walls and turrets on the northern side of Kumamoto Castle. (Photo / Screenshot from the Twitter account お城好き＠九州, the same below)

▲ The Hundred-Meter Stone Wall. (Photo / From Kumamoto Castle’s official fan page, the same below)

▲ The Bizenbori Stone Wall.

▲ The Inu-Inu Turret Stone Wall.

▲ The stone walls of the Nagayamon and Iida-maru Five-Story Turret.