Kumamoto Castle was severely damaged when a magnitude 7.3 earthquake hit Kumamoto in 2016 (Credit: Aflo Co. Ltd./Alamy) But while castles are big news in Japan, they are especially so in Kumamoto.

Japan has uniquely embraced cuteness as a reflection of its national character (Credit: Alamy) For every Kumamon, for every popular yuru-kyara, there are a hundred Harajuku Miccolos.

On October 5, a ceremony in the castle’s expansive grounds commemorated its partial reopening to the public, though the full restoration work is expected to take many years.

KUMAMOTO—Memorial ceremonies were held throughout this prefecture in southern Japan on April 14 to remember the 278 people who died in Kumamoto and neighboring Oita prefectures in twin massive ...