Actor Hideki Takahashi to Appear! 'Special Edition Oshiro EXPO in Kumamoto 2026' to be Held on October 3rd and 4th
The 'Special Edition Oshiro EXPO in Kumamoto 2026' will be held on October 3rd and 4th, 2026, at Kumamoto-jo Hall. Actor Hideki Takahashi is confirmed to appear, and the event will feature diverse programs including castle booths from across Japan, lectures, and stage events, supporting the recovery from the Kumamoto earthquake.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 11, 2026 at 23:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 11, 2026 at 14:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 11, 2026 at 15:14 (43 min after Collected)
The "Special Edition Oshiro EXPO in Kumamoto 2026" will be held on Saturday, October 3rd, and Sunday, October 4th, 2026, at Kumamoto-jo Hall (Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture). On the day of the event, there will be booths from castles across Japan, as well as special exhibitions, lectures, stage events, and a variety of programs that can be enjoyed by both children and adults throughout the day. It has also been decided that actor Hideki Takahashi, known for his love of castles, will make a special guest appearance!
"Oshiro EXPO" is a festival for castle fans, held annually in December at PACIFICO Yokohama (Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture) since 2016, with the aim of promoting and developing castle culture and fostering interaction among castle enthusiasts.
This "Special Edition Oshiro EXPO in Kumamoto 2026" was specially planned in the vicinity of Kumamoto Castle as a place to unite castle fans nationwide, marking the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake as a "milestone." Kumamoto Castle is currently moving towards "complete restoration" in 2052. To successfully complete this very long journey, it is essential to connect the memories and lessons of the earthquake to the future, powerfully convey "Kumamoto Castle's present," and build relationships with the next generation of fans who will support the next approximately 30 years. This event aims to be the first step in that direction.
The highly popular lecture program at Oshiro EXPO will feature prominent specialists such as Tetsuo Owada, Chairman of the Japan Castle Foundation, as well as Kimihiko Kato, Motoki Kuroki, Yoshihiro Senda, and Yu Hirayama (in alphabetical order). Furthermore, it has been decided that actor Hideki Takahashi will hold a talk show on Sunday, October 4th.
Special corner where you can take commemorative photos with armor of Kyushu warlords (image)
In addition to booths from castles across Japan, visitors can also enjoy event stages featuring warrior groups and local mascots. There will also be a special exhibition conveying the "past" and "future" of Kumamoto Castle's restoration, as well as a special corner where you can take commemorative photos with armor of Kyushu warlords! Other exhibitions, unique to Oshiro EXPO, are also being planned (details will be announced later).
To create this event together with people nationwide, we are currently seeking the following:
Crowdfunding (until June 19th)
We are soliciting support for event operation funds. Returns include "Goshuin" (castle stamps) and "Acrylic Dioramas" with crowdfunding-exclusive designs, as well as lecture tickets.
Project URL: https://readyfor.jp/projects/kumamoto-castle2026
Exhibitor Recruitment
We are seeking local governments and companies that can conduct PR and sales related to castles and history from across Japan. For details on exhibiting, please check the official website below.
Official Website (Exhibitor Recruitment): https://kumamoto-oshiroexpo.com/news/2026/01/26/shutten/
Please look forward to the "Special Edition Oshiro EXPO in Kumamoto 2026," where castle and history fans from all over Japan will gather in Kumamoto to share the progress of recovery and reconstruction and learning.
## Special Guest Profile
Hideki Takahashi (Actor)
Born in 1944.
Joined Nikkatsu in May 1961 as a 5th-generation Nikkatsu New Face while still in high school. Debuted in "Kogenji." Subsequently appeared in numerous films during the golden age of cinema, including "Gekiryu ni Ikiru Otoko" and "Otoko no Monsho" series. Later, he appeared in many period dramas such as NHK Taiga Drama "Kunitori Monogatari" and "Atsuhime," and NTV's "Momotaro Samurai," establishing his status as a period drama star.
In recent years, he has appeared in NHK Taiga Drama "Berabou" and TBS Sunday Theater "Caster." He also serves as MC for NHK E-tele's regular program "Geino Kiwamido."
Known for his love of history and castles, he is active in many variety shows such as NHK's "Nihon Saikyo no Shiro" (Japan's Strongest Castles). His book "Takahashi Hideki no Omshiro Nihonshi" (Hideki Takahashi's Interesting Japanese History) received the Nomura Kodō Literary Award Special Prize.
## Speaker Profiles (in alphabetical order)
Photography: Kazushi Imai
Tetsuo Owada (Chairman, Japan Castle Foundation)
Born in Shizuoka City in 1944. Completed doctoral course at Waseda University Graduate School of Literature in 1972.
Currently Professor Emeritus at Shizuoka University, Doctor of Literature, and Chairman of the Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Japan Castle Foundation. Specializing in Japanese medieval history, particularly the Sengoku period, he is known as a leading authority in Sengoku period history research through the publication of research books such as his main works "Go-Hojo-shi Kenkyu" and "Omi Asai-shi no Kenkyu," as well as "Tetsuo Owada Collected Works." He also appears on history programs such as NHK General TV and NHK E-tele, providing easy-to-understand explanations.
"Oshiro EXPO" is a festival for castle fans, held annually in December at PACIFICO Yokohama (Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture) since 2016, with the aim of promoting and developing castle culture and fostering interaction among castle enthusiasts.
This "Special Edition Oshiro EXPO in Kumamoto 2026" was specially planned in the vicinity of Kumamoto Castle as a place to unite castle fans nationwide, marking the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake as a "milestone." Kumamoto Castle is currently moving towards "complete restoration" in 2052. To successfully complete this very long journey, it is essential to connect the memories and lessons of the earthquake to the future, powerfully convey "Kumamoto Castle's present," and build relationships with the next generation of fans who will support the next approximately 30 years. This event aims to be the first step in that direction.
The highly popular lecture program at Oshiro EXPO will feature prominent specialists such as Tetsuo Owada, Chairman of the Japan Castle Foundation, as well as Kimihiko Kato, Motoki Kuroki, Yoshihiro Senda, and Yu Hirayama (in alphabetical order). Furthermore, it has been decided that actor Hideki Takahashi will hold a talk show on Sunday, October 4th.
Special corner where you can take commemorative photos with armor of Kyushu warlords (image)
In addition to booths from castles across Japan, visitors can also enjoy event stages featuring warrior groups and local mascots. There will also be a special exhibition conveying the "past" and "future" of Kumamoto Castle's restoration, as well as a special corner where you can take commemorative photos with armor of Kyushu warlords! Other exhibitions, unique to Oshiro EXPO, are also being planned (details will be announced later).
To create this event together with people nationwide, we are currently seeking the following:
Crowdfunding (until June 19th)
We are soliciting support for event operation funds. Returns include "Goshuin" (castle stamps) and "Acrylic Dioramas" with crowdfunding-exclusive designs, as well as lecture tickets.
Project URL: https://readyfor.jp/projects/kumamoto-castle2026
Exhibitor Recruitment
We are seeking local governments and companies that can conduct PR and sales related to castles and history from across Japan. For details on exhibiting, please check the official website below.
Official Website (Exhibitor Recruitment): https://kumamoto-oshiroexpo.com/news/2026/01/26/shutten/
Please look forward to the "Special Edition Oshiro EXPO in Kumamoto 2026," where castle and history fans from all over Japan will gather in Kumamoto to share the progress of recovery and reconstruction and learning.
## Special Guest Profile
Hideki Takahashi (Actor)
Born in 1944.
Joined Nikkatsu in May 1961 as a 5th-generation Nikkatsu New Face while still in high school. Debuted in "Kogenji." Subsequently appeared in numerous films during the golden age of cinema, including "Gekiryu ni Ikiru Otoko" and "Otoko no Monsho" series. Later, he appeared in many period dramas such as NHK Taiga Drama "Kunitori Monogatari" and "Atsuhime," and NTV's "Momotaro Samurai," establishing his status as a period drama star.
In recent years, he has appeared in NHK Taiga Drama "Berabou" and TBS Sunday Theater "Caster." He also serves as MC for NHK E-tele's regular program "Geino Kiwamido."
Known for his love of history and castles, he is active in many variety shows such as NHK's "Nihon Saikyo no Shiro" (Japan's Strongest Castles). His book "Takahashi Hideki no Omshiro Nihonshi" (Hideki Takahashi's Interesting Japanese History) received the Nomura Kodō Literary Award Special Prize.
## Speaker Profiles (in alphabetical order)
Photography: Kazushi Imai
Tetsuo Owada (Chairman, Japan Castle Foundation)
Born in Shizuoka City in 1944. Completed doctoral course at Waseda University Graduate School of Literature in 1972.
Currently Professor Emeritus at Shizuoka University, Doctor of Literature, and Chairman of the Public Interest Incorporated Foundation Japan Castle Foundation. Specializing in Japanese medieval history, particularly the Sengoku period, he is known as a leading authority in Sengoku period history research through the publication of research books such as his main works "Go-Hojo-shi Kenkyu" and "Omi Asai-shi no Kenkyu," as well as "Tetsuo Owada Collected Works." He also appears on history programs such as NHK General TV and NHK E-tele, providing easy-to-understand explanations.