Social Programs
Banquet
Date & Time: May 27 (Wed.), 19:00–21:00
Venue: Kumamoto Castle – In front of the Main Tower https://castle.kumamoto-guide.jp/en/
A standing buffet-style banquet will be held at Kumamoto Castle, one of Japan's most iconic and historically significant castles. Originally completed in 1607, the castle is renowned for its impressive stone walls and architectural beauty. After the 2016 earthquake, extensive restoration work has been carried out, and the castle now stands as a symbol of resilience and revival.
Participants will enjoy an unforgettable evening reception at the square in front of the Main Tower, offering a unique atmosphere surrounded by Japanese history.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Banquet Fee | JPY 7,000 per person (Tax included) |
| Transportation |
Participants joining the optional excursion (separate fee required) may get off the excursion bus near Kumamoto Castle. Other participants can walk to the venue from the Conference Venue (Kumamoto-jo Hall), as it is within walking distance. |
| Rain Plan | In case of rain, the banquet will be held indoors at the Civic Hall inside Kumamoto-jo Hall. |
Half-Day Excursion
Date: May 27 (Wed.), 2026
Application Deadline: May 8 (Fri.), 2026
Itinerary Outline
A) Yamato Course: Living Heritage and Traditional Engineering of Kumamoto
Yamato Town is known for its rich cultural heritage and historic civil engineering achievements that reflect the ingenuity of rural Japan. In this course, participants will explore the iconic Tsujun Bridge, a nationally designated Important Cultural Property, and experience traditional Bunraku puppet theater at the Seiwa Bunraku Museum. The tour also includes a relaxing lunch at Tsujun Sanso, offering a glimpse into local hospitality and community life.
Itinerary
=== : by private coach, --- : on foot
Meals: ○ - with Meal / X - No Meal / B - Breakfast / L - Lunch / D - Dinner
| Item | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Date | May 27 (Wed.), 2026, half day | |
| Time | 12:15 – 17:50 | |
| Timeline |
12:15
Assembly at Kumamoto-Jo Hall ===
13:45 – 14:45
Tsujun Sanso ===
< Lunch featuring local cuisine >
14:50 – 15:15
Tsujun Bridge ===
< Guided visit to the historic stone aqueduct bridge, a symbol of traditional Japanese engineering >
15:35 – 16:30
Seiwa Bunraku Museum ===
< Bunraku puppet performance (approx. 40 minutes) and museum visit >
17:50
Drop-off at Josaien followed by final arrival at Kumamoto-Jo Hall
|
Meal B: X L: ○ D: X |
| Tour Escort | None | |
| Guide Service | English-speaking guide service | |
| Transfer | By private coach | |
| Excursion Fee | JPY 7,000 Same fee for adult and children |
|
| Minimum number of participants | 15 | |
| Maximum number of participants | 45 | |
| Inclusion | Lunch, admission fee (Seiwa Bunraku Museum), Tsujun Bridge visit, English-speaking guide, private coach transportation | |
| Exclusion | Medical expenses for injuries and illness, travel and accommodation costs to the starting point or from the end of the itinerary, travel insurance, and anything not listed in the schedule above | |
B) Yamaga Course: Traditional Theater, Crafts, and Local Winery Culture
Yamaga is a historic town known for its traditional performing arts and folk crafts. On this course, participants will visit the beautifully preserved Yachiyoza Theater, explore the Yamaga Lantern Folk Art Museum, and enjoy a guided tour and wine tasting at Kikuka Winery.
Itinerary
=== : by private coach, --- : on foot
Meals: ○ - with Meal / X - No Meal / B - Breakfast / L - Lunch / D - Dinner
| Item | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Date | May 27 (Wed.), 2026, half day | |
| Time | 12:30 – 17:45 | |
| Timeline |
12:30
Assembly at Kumamoto-Jo Hall ===
< Lunch (Lunch Box) will be provided on the private coach >
13:45 – 14:45
Yachiyoza Theater ---
< Guided visit to a traditional wooden theater >
14:50 – 15:15
Yamaga Lantern Folk Art Museum ===
< Visit to learn about Yamaga lantern craftsmanship and history >
15:45 – 16:30
Kikuka Winery ===
< Enjoy winery guidance and a welcome drink >
17:45
Drop-off at Josaien followed by final arrival at Kumamoto-Jo Hall
|
Meal B: X L: ○ (Lunch Box) D: X |
| Tour Escort | None | |
| Guide Service | English-speaking guide service | |
| Transfer | By private coach | |
| Excursion Fee | JPY 7,000 Same fee for adult and children |
|
| Minimum number of participants | 25 | |
| Maximum number of participants | 45 | |
| Inclusion | Lunch (Lunch Box), admission fees (Yachiyoza Theater, Yamaga Lantern Folk Art Museum), winery brewery visit and tasting, English-speaking guide, private coach transportation | |
| Exclusion | Medical expenses for injuries and illness, travel and accommodation costs to the starting point or from the end of the itinerary, travel insurance, and anything not listed in the schedule above | |
C) Kumamoto City Course: Castle Heritage, Garden Culture, and Tea Experience
Kumamoto City offers a rich blend of historical landmarks, traditional culture, and refined aesthetics. In this course, participants will enjoy lunch at Shiromiyagura overlooking Kumamoto Castle, experience a matcha tea tasting in a historic setting, stroll through the scenic Suizenji Jojuen Garden, and explore Kumamoto Castle and Josaien to learn about the city's history and ongoing restoration efforts.
Itinerary
=== : by private coach, --- : on foot
Meals: ○ - with Meal / X - No Meal / B - Breakfast / L - Lunch / D - Dinner
| Item | Details | |
|---|---|---|
| Date | May 27 (Wed.), 2026, half day | |
| Time | 12:15 – 17:40 | |
| Timeline |
12:15
Assembly at Kumamoto-Jo Hall ---
12:45 – 13:45
Shiromiyagura ===
< Lunch >
14:00 – 15:15
Suizenji Jojuen Garden ===
< Garden visit and matcha tea tasting at "Kokindenju no Ma" >
15:45 – 17:30
Kumamoto Castle & Josaien ===
< Visit and stroll through the castle area and shopping district >
17:40
Drop-off at Josaien followed by final arrival at Kumamoto-Jo Hall
|
Meal B: X L: ○ D: X |
| Tour Escort | None | |
| Guide Service | English-speaking guide service | |
| Transfer | By private coach and on foot | |
| Excursion Fee | JPY 7,000 Same fee for adult and children |
|
| Minimum number of participants | 15 | |
| Maximum number of participants | 45 | |
| Inclusion | Lunch, matcha tea tasting, admission fees (Suizenji Jojuen Garden, Kumamoto Castle if applicable), English-speaking guide, private coach transportation | |
| Exclusion | Medical expenses for injuries and illness, travel and accommodation costs to the starting point or from the end of the itinerary, travel insurance, and anything not listed in the schedule above | |
Note
- *Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration will be confirmed only upon full payment.
- *Itineraries are subject to change due to weather, road conditions, or other operational circumstances.
- *Excursions will proceed as scheduled in the event of rain, but may be cancelled in cases of severe weather.
- *The excursion fee will be refunded if the tour is cancelled.
Payment Method
Payment for excursions shall be made separately from the payment for the conference registration.
Kyushu Sanko Tourism will contact you by email with instructions regarding the payment method.
All payments must be made in Japanese yen by credit card.
(VISA, Master Card, JCB, American Express Diners Club, or DISCOVER only)
- *Please use a credit card which is valid at least until June 2026.
- *The recipient listed on the credit card statement is "ZENRYOMARUPAY1" but the recipient name may be slightly different depending on the card company.
- *Credit card transactions might be recorded on your credit card statement about two to three months later due to system matter.
- *Neither checks nor cash are accepted.
- *This tour is an organized package tour planned, operated, and conducted by Kyushu Sanko Tourism. Participants will enter into an Organized Tour Contract with the company. The contract will become effective upon the company's acceptance and receipt of the excursion fee. The effective date of the contract shall be the date on which the excursion fee is received.
Change / Cancellation / Refund Policy
For any changes or cancellations of the optional excursion (if applicable), please submit your request by email to the CSW2026 Secretariat at registration@csw2026.org.
The date and time of changes or cancellations will be determined based on our office hours (Monday–Friday, 10:00–17:00 JST [UTC+9], excluding national holidays). Requests received outside office hours will be processed on the next business day and may be subject to cancellation charges.
*Cancellation Policy for Excursion
| 11 days or more before the excursion date | No Charge |
| 10 to 8 days before the excursion date | 20% of excursion fee |
| 7 to 2 days before the excursion date | 30% of excursion fee |
| 1 day before the excursion date | 40% of excursion fee |
| On the excursion date (before departure) | 50% of excursion fee |
| On the excursion date (after departure) | 100% of excursion fee |
| Cancellation without notice (No-show) | 100% of excursion fee / No Refund |
*Refund
For individual applications, refunds will be issued after deducting the percentage specified in the Terms and Conditions from the participation fee.Please note that any decision regarding the cancellation of the tour itself will be made after the application deadline.
Refunds will be made to the same credit card used for the original transaction after deducting the relevant charge.
Please be advised that processing times may vary and the refund may take some time to appear.
Please note: The application and payment pages are primarily displayed in Japanese.
Please refer to the English guide (PDF) to complete your registration and payment.
Application Contact (English Inquiries)
CSW Registration Desk
E-mail: registration@csw2026.org
For inquiries in English, please contact the CSW Registration Desk above.
Tour Planning & Operation
Kyushu Sanko Tourism Co., Ltd.
Address:
9F Taiyo Seimei Kumamoto Building
4-3 Hanabata-cho, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto 860-0806, Japan
Representative:
Masayuki Morisaki, President & CEO
Website: https://www.kyusanko.co.jp/tourism/
E-mail: eigyo-event@kyusanko.co.jp
*For inquiries in English, please contact the CSW Registration Desk.
Tel: +81-96-325-8240
Business Hours:
10:00–17:00 (JST), Monday–Friday
Closed on weekends and Japanese national holidays.
