The "Special Edition: Oshi-ro EXPO in Kumamoto 2026" Executive Committee and Kumamoto City have announced that ticket sales for "Special Edition: Oshi-ro EXPO in Kumamoto 2026" (Dates: October 3 (Sat) & 4 (Sun), 2026 / Venue: Kumamoto Castle Hall), the largest castle festival in Japan and the first of its kind in Kyushu, began today, July 1st (Wed), through various ticket vendors. ■ Two Special Days Towards Full Restoration in 2052, 10 Years After the Kumamoto Earthquake "Oshi-ro EXPO" is a festival for castle enthusiasts that has been held annually in December at Pacifico Yokohama since 2016, with the aim of promoting and developing castle culture and fostering interaction among castle lovers. This "Special Edition: Oshi-ro EXPO in Kumamoto 2026" has been specially planned as a gathering place for castle fans nationwide, marking the 10-year milestone since the Kumamoto earthquake as a "passing point." ■ Super Special Guests! Actor Hideki Takahashi and Castle Specialists to Appear The popular "Selected Programs (Lectures)" at Oshi-ro EXPO will feature distinguished specialists such as Tetsuo Owada (Director General of the Japan Castle Foundation), along with Masafumi Kato, Yoshihiro Seki, Motoki Kuroda, and Yu Hirayama. Furthermore, on October 4 (Sun), actor Hideki Takahashi, known for his love of castles, will hold a talk show as a special guest. "10 years since the Kumamoto earthquake. I always look forward to seeing the Kumamoto Castle as it is now. I want this talk show to be an opportunity to share the charm of the magnificent Kumamoto Castle, which I admire every time I visit, with all of you. I look forward to seeing you at the venue." "The Castle System of Kato Kiyomasa's Rule over Higo Province: Major Renovations of Kumamoto Castle and the Fortification of Higo Province" (Masafumi Kato) "Kumamoto Castle Under Kiyomasa and the Hosokawa Clan, Revealed Through Reconstruction" (Yoshihiro Seki) "Hideyoshi's Unification of the Realm and Kato Kiyomasa's Entry into