Konnichiwa Japan! If you love castles, a Kumamoto Castle Wedding is the ultimate dream destination.
Kumamoto Castle is renowned for its vast grounds and long history. Its serene gardens and majestic stone pathways make it extraordinary as well. Why should you have your wedding at the castle? Where is the venue? Here are the answers to your questions!
Overview of Kumamoto Castle
Kumamoto Castle is one of the famous 3 castles in Japan. It’s also one of the largest castles in Japan covering approximately 98 hectares – about twice the size of Disneyland Park in California. It consists of 3 main keeps, 49 turrets, 18 turret gates, and 29 castle gates.
The castle was built in 1607 as a fortress for military defense. However, Kiyomasa Kato（加藤清正）, who built the castle, passed away before it was ever used in battle.
The Honmaru palace was once burnt during the Satsuma Rebellion around 1877 but was constructed in 1960.
It has also been featured in Japanese dramas, essays, and films.
About Kumamoto Castle:
| Address | 1-1 Honmaru, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture, Japan |
| Opening hours | 9 AM – 5 PM (Last Entry: 4:30PM) |
| Tel | 096-223-5011 |
Why Choose a Castle Wedding?
A wedding at the castle offers a truly unique experience. Firstly, it’s photogenic. The stunning castle is surrounded by an expansive grounds. You can take photos in every spot you would like.
Secondly, the experience will be memorable. Getting married in such an extraordinary location will create lasting memories not just for you and your partner, but also for your family and friends!
If you love castles and seek an exceptional experience, consider having a Kumamoto Castle Wedding.
Wedding Packages at Kumamoto Castle
Celebrate your special day with some exclusive packages! Different wedding venues offer different packages. You can choose between traditional Japanese weddings at Kato Shrine and modern wedding styles.
There are 3 venues that you can choose from. You can enjoy views of Kumamoto Castle from every venue!
3 Wedding Venues:
| Name of the Wedding Venues | Features |
| Shiromiyagura（城見櫓） | The premise was built in 1610. Currently known as a restaurant and a wedding venue. You can wear both traditional and modern wedding attire Offer only ceremony and banquet Tel: 096-356-1146 |
| COHF（コフ） | Banquet hall inside Kato ShrineCan have both traditional and modern weddings Offer both ceremony and reception Tel: 096-352-7316 |
| KKR Hotel | 1 min walk from Kumamoto castle Can have both traditional, chapel, and modern weddings Offer both ceremony and reception Tel: 096-355-0121 |
Since the services are primarily in Japanese, you may want to hire an English-speaking wedding agency to assist you!
Seasonal Highlights
Kumamoto Castle is also famous for its cherry blossoms. Around March, there will be 3 types of 800 cherry trees blooming around the castle.
You’ll be able to take photos with Kumamoto castle which has a stunning cherry blossom view. If you are able to wait until evening, you can also enjoy the enchanting night-time cherry blossoms (yozakura)!
Practical Information
Kumamoto Castle offers both the ceremony and the wedding banquet. If you only require a Kumamoto Castle Wedding Ceremony, the capacity is around 20 guests.
Here are the prices and the number of pax it can take in:
| Name of the Wedding Venues | Practical Information |
| Shiromiyagura（城見櫓） | <Only ceremony>30~100 paxCost: 39.7K yen~ 52.9K yen |
| COHF（コフ） | <Banquet>Max 70 paxCost: NA |
| KKR Hotel | <Banquet>40~300 paxCost: 1.63M ~2.69M yen |
Cultural Considerations
Traditional marriage involves religious elements and some temples and shrines think that it’s a sacred ritual. Therefore, it’s important that you understand the custom. If you are interested in experiencing a traditional Shinto wedding, we recommend consulting with your agency or the wedding venues in advance.
The next thing to consider is attire. Traditional Japanese weddings often involve wearing formal garments called Shiromuku（白無垢）. It carries cultural significance and respect for tradition. If you are keen on the traditional Japanese ceremony, proper dressing will help you fully embrace the culture.
Find out more about Traditional Japanese Wedding Attire
Tips for Planning a Castle Wedding in Kumamoto
Kumamoto Castle is a popular tourist destination. If you would like a wedding with spectacular views of Kumamoto Castle, consider asking your agency about the low tourist seasons both in Japan and abroad.
Also, if you want to take photos with great backgrounds, we recommend you check the season. If you want to take autumn leaves, November is a great time to come. If you want to go with cherry blossoms, you should come from March to April.
The timing may vary each year, so we recommend checking the seasonal details carefully.
