Is Kumamoto OK to visit after the July 2026 earthquake? The JR Uto–Yatsushiro line reopened on 10 Oct; the Shinkansen and Kumamoto Castle are running

This week's news · Checked 2026-09-26

Short answer. Yes, for the places most visitors go. The Kagoshima Main Line reopened on its whole line, on the normal timetable, from 10 October 2026, including the Uto–Yatsushiro section that had been closed since the July earthquake. The Kyushu Shinkansen has run its whole line since 18 September, on a modified timetable (JR Kyushu, checked 2 November 2026). Kumamoto Castle's official site lists normal entry, with last entry at 16:00, and on 26 October it announced that night opening was resuming (checked 2 November 2026). Checked 2 November 2026.

Checked 2 November 2026: JR Kyushu service notice and the official Kumamoto Castle site. The recovery details further down (Kyodo, Japan Guide) are from 25–26 September 2026 and were not re-checked.

Driving from Fukuoka instead: Kumamoto IC is 56 min from Dazaifu IC, and 4 days with Aso ≈ ¥48,000 (≈ RM1,270) per car (checked 17 Sept 2026) — Kyushu car rental #2.

What happened. On 24 September JR Kyushu announced that the Kagoshima Main Line between Uto and Yatsushiro, closed since the 2026 Kumamoto earthquake in July, would reopen from the first train on Saturday 10 October. Its service notice now says the Kagoshima Main Line reopened on its whole line on the normal timetable from 10 October, and that the Kyushu Shinkansen has run its whole line since 18 September on a modified timetable (checked 2 November 2026). Replacement buses and Shinkansen transfers between Kumamoto and Shin-Yatsushiro were due to end on 9 October.

Where recovery was still going on (late September). Yatsushiro, Hikawa and Uki, south of Kumamoto city, were heavily damaged in the magnitude-7.1 quake. On 25 September Kyodo (via Japan Today) reported that residents there were still living in evacuation shelters amid the heat and aftershocks, and that Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako were due to visit those areas on 29 September. Japan Guide (updated 26 September) described Kumamoto city as "functioning close to normally", said Aso and Kurokawa Onsen escaped significant damage, and expected the line south of Yatsushiro to Higo Tanoura back around mid-October; that section was not re-checked.

What it means for you.

• Fukuoka → Kumamoto by Shinkansen is running, so a day trip or a night in Kumamoto for the castle is on. The local Kagoshima Main Line south towards Yatsushiro is also back on the normal timetable since 10 October.
• Kumamoto Castle is open (last entry 16:00). On 18 September the official site said the Wakuwakuza museum next to it was temporarily closed; we did not see an update on it on 2 November, so check on the morning of your visit.
• Aftershocks can still happen. Put the Japan Tourism Agency's free Safety tips app (English earthquake alerts) on your phone, and agree with the kids beforehand what to do if the room shakes.
• Aso was not seriously damaged by the quake, but the Nakadake crater is closed for a separate volcanic reason (crater status). The self-drive plan with costs is in Fukuoka → Kumamoto → Aso in 4 days.
• Where to sleep: with the Shinkansen running, Fukuoka works as a base for a Kumamoto day: Fukuoka hotels for 2 adults + 2 kids on Trip.com (filter "free cancellation"; prices vary by date, checked 26 Sept 2026).

Affiliate links may be used; your price does not change.

Sources

Before you fly: Map of 231 halal places & prayer rooms (US$6.99) — December Edition, 15 Nov.