Throughout Kumamoto Prefecture, you’ll find bronze statues of Luffy, Zoro, Nami, and other members of the Straw Hat Pirates standing proudly in various locations.
The One Piece Statues in Kumamoto are more than just anime-themed attractions.
Behind each statue lies a story of disaster, hope, and the determination of the people of Kumamoto to rebuild and move forward.
Getting to Know the One Piece Statues in Kumamoto
The One Piece Statues are 10 bronze statues of One Piece characters located across different cities and towns in Kumamoto Prefecture.
The project is part of the ONE PIECE Kumamoto Reconstruction Project, launched by Eiichiro Oda and the Kumamoto Prefectural Government following the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake.
As a native of Kumamoto, Eiichiro Oda created the statues as a way to support his hometown and contribute to its recovery.
The History of the One Piece Statues and Their Connection to the Kumamoto Earthquake
On April 14, 2016, Kumamoto was struck by a magnitude 6.2 earthquake, followed by a magnitude 7.3 earthquake two days later.
The disaster claimed more than 270 lives, injured thousands of people, and damaged tens of thousands of buildings, including Kumamoto Castle.
The disaster deeply affected Eiichiro Oda, the creator of One Piece, who was born in Kumamoto.
Together with the Kumamoto Prefectural Government, he launched the ONE PIECE Kumamoto Reconstruction Project to support his hometown following the 2016 earthquake.
As part of the project, 10 One Piece character statues were installed across cities and towns affected by the disaster.
Inspired by the determination of Luffy and the Straw Hat crew, who never give up in the face of adversity, the statues became symbols of hope, recovery, and solidarity for the people of Kumamoto.
Today, the One Piece Statues are not only popular tourist attractions but also reminders of Kumamoto's resilience and its determination to rebuild and move forward after the disaster.
Where Are the One Piece Statues Located?
Each One Piece statue is located in a different part of Kumamoto Prefecture.
Visiting them one by one takes you across various parts of Kumamoto while allowing you to experience the unique character and attractions of each area.
| Character | Location | City/Area |
|---|---|---|
| Monkey D. Luffy | Kumamoto Castle area | Kumamoto City — the first statue to be unveiled |
| Roronoa Zoro | Yamaga City | Yamaga — a historic hot spring town |
| Nami | Arao City | Arao — a coastal city in western Kumamoto |
| Usopp | Yatsushiro City | Yatsushiro — the second-largest city in Kumamoto |
| Sanji | Minamata City | Minamata — a city known for its recovery from an environmental disaster |
| Tony Tony Chopper | Aso | Aso area — home to the iconic volcanic landscape |
| Nico Robin | Oguni Town | Oguni — a mountainous town north of Aso |
| Franky | Uki City | Uki — a city in the Kumamoto river delta |
| Brook | Amakusa City | Amakusa — a historic archipelago with deep Christian heritage |
| Jinbe | Kamiamakusa City | Kamiamakusa — an island area in southern Kumamoto |
Were the One Piece Statues Affected by the Recent Kumamoto Earthquake?
In late July 2026, Kumamoto Prefecture was struck by another magnitude 7.1 earthquake, causing damage to buildings and infrastructure in several areas.
So, what happened to the One Piece Statues?
As of early August 2026, there have been no official reports of damage to the One Piece Statues, including the Luffy statue located in front of the Kumamoto Prefectural Government Office. The statue was reportedly still standing despite the earthquake's impact on the surrounding area.
This further reinforces the meaning behind the One Piece Statues.
From the beginning, the statues were created as symbols of Kumamoto's recovery following the 2016 earthquake. Today, they once again serve as a reminder of the resilience of the people of Kumamoto and their strength in the face of natural disasters.
