Damages to Cultural Properties Caused by the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquakes

From April 14 onwards, many cultural properties were damaged by the earthquakes, which hit the Kumamoto region one after another. There were 134 damaged cultural properties designated by the national government, and more than 300 if those designated by local authorities were included. At Kumamoto Castle (Chūō Ward, Kumamoto City), two turrets, known as Higashi-jūhachiken yagura and Kita-jūhachiken yagura, which had remained since the castle was first built and were designated as Important Cultural Properties, collapsed and fell, along with the stonewalls. The building of the Kumamoto Western School Teachers’ Hall Jane’s Residence (Chūō Ward, Kumamoto City) was completely destroyed. At Aso Shrine (Aso City, Kumamoto Prefecture), the tower gate and worshiping hall, designated as Important Cultural Properties, were also destroyed. (Japanese)