ONE PIECE Kumamoto Pilgrimage Guide: All 10 Straw Hat Crew Statues & Recovery Towns

From Captain Monkey D. Luffy standing on the promenade of the Kumamoto Prefectural Office to Usopp welcoming train passengers outside JR Aso Station, Franky standing in front of Takamori Station on the Minamiaso Railway, Chopper outside the city zoo entrance, and Jinbe overlooking the Ariake Sea, ten bronze statues of the Straw Hat Crew from ONE PIECE stand across nine municipalities in Kumamoto Prefecture.

These statues were born out of the 'ONE PIECE Kumamoto Revival Project,' a joint initiative uniting Kumamoto-born creator Eiichiro Oda, publisher Shueisha, and Kumamoto Prefecture. Each crew member's specialty is matched directly to the recovery story of their host town—sending shipwright Franky to Takamori Town where the local railway was severed, and archaeologist Nico Robin to Minamiaso Village where earthquake remains are preserved for future generations. Below, we guide you through all 10 statue locations, their surrounding scenery, and related facilities.

Meeting All 10 Members of the Straw Hat Crew Across Kumamoto

Installed across nine municipalities, the ten bronze statues stand in diverse public settings ranging from the prefectural capitol promenade and municipal zoo to station plazas, town parks, and an earthquake memorial museum. Through the 'Land of Hino Revival Arc,' the project encourages visitors to travel across the prefecture and support recovery by dining locally and purchasing Kumamoto crafts and agricultural products, publishing an official touring guidebook in 2024 that pairs all 10 statues with nearby food and sightseeing spots. Because opening hours and closed days vary by site, check the latest facility notices before setting out.

Sources: Kumamoto Prefecture: ONE PIECE Kumamoto Revival Project / Official Release of the Kumamoto Touring Guidebook

1Luffy Statue at the Prefectural Office: Commemorating Eiichiro Oda’s People’s Honor Award

The bronze statue of captain Monkey D. Luffy stands along the promenade of the Kumamoto Prefectural Office at 6-18-1 Suizenji, Chuo Ward, Kumamoto City. Installed on November 30, 2018 to commemorate the presentation of the Kumamoto Prefecture People's Honor Award to Kumamoto native Eiichiro Oda, the statue anchors the Revival Project's overarching story: Luffy calls on his crewmates to lend their respective skills to disaster-hit communities across the prefecture while promising to reunite on the Prefectural Office Promenade. On days when prefectural events or maintenance work take place, please follow on-site guidance along the promenade.

Sources: Kumamoto Prefecture: Luffy Statue & People's Honor Award / Revival Project: Statue Locations & Town Stories

2Chopper Statue at the City Zoo: Welcoming Visitors Where People Meet Animals

The statue of ship's doctor Tony Tony Chopper was installed on November 7, 2020 right outside the main entrance gate of the Kumamoto City Zoo and Botanical Gardens at 5-14-2 Kengun, Higashi Ward, Kumamoto City. After the 2016 Kumamoto Earthquake damaged animal enclosures inside the park and forced animals to evacuate temporarily to zoos outside the prefecture, Chopper was dispatched in the project's story to care for the animals and bring smiles back to visiting children. Because the statue stands in the plaza outside the main gate, viewing the statue itself is free of charge; check the zoo's opening calendar and admission fees if you also wish to tour the animal and botanical exhibits inside.

Sources: Kumamoto City Tourism Guide: Chopper Statue / Revival Project: Statue Locations & Town Stories

3Usopp Statue at JR Aso Station: Greeting Rail Travelers Arriving in Aso

The statue of sniper Usopp was unveiled on December 8, 2019 in the station-front rotary of JR Aso Station at 1444-2 Kurokawa, Aso City. After the Kumamoto Earthquake triggered landslides at roughly 300 spots across the outer caldera rim and five peaks of Mount Aso—making controlled grassland burning difficult and opening cracks on the Komezuka volcanic cone—the project story depicts Usopp using his botanical 'Pop Green' seeds to help restore the grasslands that are the pride of local residents.

Roughly 1,200 people gathered for the December 2019 unveiling ceremony, where Aso Elementary School fourth-graders and Aso Chuo High School students performed 'We Are!' and 'We Go!' and fired slingshot balls at a giant balloon to release green balloons evoking the rebirth of Aso's grasslands. When the JR Hohi Main Line resumed full-line rail service on August 8, 2020, Kumamoto Station and Aso Station also hosted special photo panels, props, and project displays.

Sources: Aso City: Usopp Statue Guide / Revival Project: 2020 JR Hohi Main Line Reopening Campaign

4Franky Statue at Takamori Station: The Shipwright Cheering On a Railway Town

The statue of shipwright Franky was unveiled on November 21, 2020 in front of Takamori Station on the Minamiaso Railway at 1526-5 Takamori, Takamori Town, Aso District. Pairing the role of a shipwright who builds and repairs vessels with the restoration of the earthquake-damaged Minamiaso Railway, the plaza lets visitors photograph Franky alongside the station building, local trains, and the Aso mountain range.

Sources: Kumamoto Prefecture Statue Location Map / Kumamoto Prefecture Guide to Statue Roles / Franky Statue Unveiling Record / Revival Project: Statue Locations & Town Stories

AR Photo Campaign Celebrating the Full Reopening of the Minamiaso Railway

To celebrate the full-line reopening of the Minamiaso Railway, a limited-time AR photo rally was held across all 10 statues and sightseeing spots in the Minamiaso and Takamori areas, allowing visitors to overlay character illustrations onto real scenery on their smartphones and pose with large photo-frame markers at Takamori Yusui Tunnel Park and Asobo no Sato Kugino.

Source: Official Minamiaso Railway Full Reopening AR Photo Event Guide

5Jinbe Statue at Sumiyoshi Coast Park: The 10th Crewmate Overlooking the Sea

The statue of helmsman Jinbe was installed on July 23, 2022 at Sumiyoshi Coast Park (3162-1 Sumiyoshi-machi, Uto City) as the 10th statue of the project. Dispatched in the project story to help steer recovery in Uto City—whose municipal city hall was severely damaged in the earthquakes—Sumiyoshi Coast Park was selected from applications submitted by 12 municipalities (announced on April 20, 2022) in recognition of its sunset views across the Ariake Sea and Mount Unzen.

Immediately beside the seated Jinbe statue raising his sake cup stretches the famous Nagabeta Seabed Road, built in 1979 for local laver-seaweed fishermen. Extending roughly one kilometer out into the bay alongside 24 utility poles, the road emerges at low tide and sinks beneath the waves at high tide, creating one of Kumamoto's most distinctive coastal landscapes.

Sources: Kumamoto Prefecture Jinbe Statue Access Map / Uto City Guide to the Jinbe Statue & Nagabeta Seabed Road / Revival Project Selection of the Jinbe Statue Site / Official Jinbe Birthday Event Guide

6Sanji Statue at Minaterrace: The Crew’s Cook Supporting a Town Whose School Kitchen Was Damaged

The statue of Straw Hat cook Sanji was unveiled on December 7, 2019 at the Mashiki Town Exchange and Information Center 'Minaterrace' (236 Kiyama, Mashiki Town, Kamimashiki District). Because Mashiki Town recorded seismic intensity 7 twice during the 2016 earthquakes and suffered severe damage to its municipal school lunch center, the project story portrays Sanji supporting children's health and smiles with warm meals made from local farm produce. During a birthday event on March 2, 2025, local elementary school children and parents folded paper airplanes in a JAL workshop, wrote congratulatory messages on the wings, and flew them in front of the statue.

Sources: Revival Project: Statue & Town Story / Sanji Statue Unveiling / 2025 Sanji Birthday Event Record

7Brook Statue at Mifune Fureai Hiroba: The Musician Cheering On a Town of Music and Dinosaurs

The statue of musician Brook was unveiled on November 8, 2020 at Mifune Town Fureai Hiroba—popularly known as 'Dinosaur Park'—at 100 Hetami, Mifune Town, Kamimashiki District. In a town where both homes and a local music college were damaged in the earthquakes, the story depicts Brook teaming up with music students to compose a recovery anthem and lift residents' spirits through music and humor. Mifune Town also hosted the 5th Mifune Brook Music Festival in August 2026, and visitors can view the statue while strolling through the dinosaur-themed park.

Sources: Revival Project: Statue & Town Story / Brook Statue Unveiling / Mifune Brook Music Festival Record

8Zoro Statue at Ozu Central Park: The Swordsman Standing in a Martial Arts Town

The statue of swordsman Roronoa Zoro was unveiled on January 22, 2022 at Ozu Central Park (1156-3 Ozu, Ozu Town, Kikuchi District). Because Ozu Town is renowned for kendo and saw its martial arts hall damaged in the earthquake, the story portrays Zoro training alongside local children to build a disaster-resilient town. On January 7, 2023, three local youth kendo clubs gathered directly in front of the Zoro statue for a joint midwinter practice to pledge a year of dedicated training.

Sources: Revival Project: Statue & Town Story / Zoro Statue Unveiling / Midwinter Kendo Training in Front of the Zoro Statue

9Nami Statue at Moe no Sato: The Navigator Sending Winds of Recovery to Nishihara Village

The statue of navigator Nami, who reads the weather to guide the ship, was unveiled on July 31, 2021 at the Tawarayama Exchange Hall 'Moe no Sato' (2115-3 Komori, Nishihara Village, Aso District). In Nishihara Village, where entire hamlets suffered heavy earthquake damage, Nami—who cherishes her own hometown of Cocoyasi Village—sends winds of recovery alongside the village's wind turbines. During her July 2025 birthday event, photo spots, free pinwheel-making workshops, and orange juice handouts were held around the statue. Note that the Moe no Sato farm market is open from 9:00 to 17:00 (irregular closing days), so check same-day operating hours if you plan to shop or dine.

Sources: Revival Project: Statue & Town Story / Nami Statue Unveiling / 2025 Nami Birthday Event / Moe no Sato Facility Guide

⑩ Robin Statue | Passing Down Earthquake Memories at the Former Tokai University Aso Campus

The statue of archaeologist Nico Robin, who deciphers history, was unveiled on October 9, 2021 at the former Tokai University Aso Campus—now the Kumamoto Earthquake Museum 'KIOKU'—at 5343-1 Kawayo, Minamiaso Village, Aso District. Entrusting Robin with the mission of passing down the memories and lessons of the earthquake to future generations, the site allows visitors to view the statue alongside the preserved former Building No. 1—directly beneath which the surface fault ruptured—and the exhibition halls of KIOKU.

Entry to the grounds is strictly limited to KIOKU's opening hours (9:00–17:00, last entry 16:30). The facility is closed on Mondays (or the following weekday if Monday is a holiday) and over the New Year holidays; when the museum is closed, the entire site including the parking lot is locked, so be sure to visit during open hours even if your goal is only to view the Robin statue.

Sources: Revival Project: Statue & Town Story / Former Tokai University Aso Campus Remains / KIOKU Exhibition & Visitor Guide

The Straw Hat Crew and the Original Manga, Anime, and Live-Action Series

ONE PIECE follows Monkey D. Luffy as he gathers a crew and sets sail to become King of the Pirates. The straw hat Luffy wears was entrusted to him in his hometown of Foosha Village by Red-Haired Shanks with the promise to return it once he becomes a great pirate—a departure depicted ten years later in Volume 1 of the manga and Episode 4 of the television anime.

Sources: Official Guide to Volume 1's Departure & Promise / Official Episode 4 Anime Guide

From the Start of Serialization to the Kumamoto Revival Project

Following the launch of manga serialization in 1997 and the television anime premiere in 1999, creator Eiichiro Oda and Kumamoto Prefecture launched the Kumamoto Revival Project after the April 2016 earthquakes. Starting with the Luffy statue at the Prefectural Office in November 2018, the Straw Hat Crew bronze statues expanded across disaster-hit municipalities until all 10 crewmates were in place in July 2022.

Sources: Official Series Overview / Volume 1 Bibliography / TV Anime Premiere Date / Kumamoto Prefecture Revival Project History / People's Honor Award & Luffy Statue / Jinbe Statue Unveiling / Live-Action Season 1 Release / 600 Million Copies Milestone

How ONE PIECE Supported Kumamoto’s Recovery Even Before the Bronze Statues

Spurred by a personal message of encouragement from Eiichiro Oda immediately after the April 2016 earthquakes, early recovery initiatives included ONE PIECE artwork on hometown-tax thank-you gifts and the 'Going Mashiki-go' school bus wrap in hard-hit Mashiki Town. In 2017, new twenty-year-olds across affected municipalities received commemorative message cards, leading to Oda's People's Honor Award in April 2018 and the Luffy statue unveiling that November; when the manga reached Volume 100 in 2021, complete 100-volume sets were donated to facilities across all 45 municipalities in Kumamoto Prefecture.

Source: Kumamoto Prefecture: History of the ONE PIECE Revival Project

2026 Ten-Year Exhibition Showcasing How the Bronze Statues Were Created

Held on the 1st floor of the Kumamoto Prefectural Museum of Art from March 20 to May 24, 2026, the 'ONE PIECE Kumamoto Revival Project 10-Year Exhibition' (free admission with advance reservation; now concluded) showcased production materials documenting how each bronze statue was sculpted alongside an image theater pairing famous manga scenes with Kumamoto's recovery landscapes. Ahead of the Kumamoto run, a preview exhibition at Ginza Sony Park in Tokyo on January 31 and February 1, 2026 also paired video installations of the statues with mini-performances of Kumamoto's traditional Seiwa Bunraku puppet theater.

Sources: Kumamoto Revival Project 10-Year Exhibition Overview / Official Exhibition Dates & Venue Guide / Tokyo Preview Exhibition & Seiwa Bunraku Report

Official Events, Mugiwara Store, and Bronze Statue Mini-Figures

On August 22 and 23, 2026, 'ONE PIECE DAY '26' took place at Makuhari Messe with exhibition and stage reports published on the official site. Meanwhile, Universal Studios Japan's 'ONE PIECE Premier Summer 2026' runs from July 30 through November 19, 2026, and the 'Great Pirate Era' exhibition in Jeju, South Korea runs from July 4, 2026 through January 3, 2027; check each official website for ticket rules.

Sources: ONE PIECE DAY '26 Official Report / USJ Premier Summer 2026 Guide / Jeju Exhibition Official Notice

Mugiwara Store Goods and Official Kumamoto Revival Collaboration Products

Official merchandise is available at ONE PIECE Mugiwara Store locations nationwide, while the Kumamoto Revival Project also develops collaborative products pairing the crew with Kumamoto agricultural specialties and traditional crafts. From the unveiling of the Nami statue on July 31, 2021 through February 28, 2022, the second 'mawaru' digital stamp rally rewarded visitors at each statue with smartphone wallpapers, chibi-character commemorative cards at host facilities, and a prize drawing for 500 participants who visited eight or more statues; check the project news page and individual shops for current campaigns and stock.

Sources: Kumamoto Prefecture 2021 Stamp Rally & Commemorative Cards / Revival Project Notice on Nami Statue Completion & mawaru Vol. 2 / Mugiwara Store Official Website / Kumamoto Revival Project Official News

Bronze Statue Mini-Figures: Charity Production and Nationwide Release

Modeled directly after the ten bronze statues in Kumamoto, the 'World Collectable Figure' Kumamoto Revival series was announced in April 2022 as a charity project produced by Shueisha with a portion of proceeds donated to Kumamoto Prefecture. Initially sold in advance at designated shops in Kumamoto and Fukuoka, Wave 2 became available nationwide at Jump Shop, Mugiwara Store, and Jump Characters Store starting July 22, 2026; check individual store listings for current stock.

Sources: Kumamoto Prefecture 2022 Announcement of Souvenirs & Mini-Figures / ONE PIECE Official Announcement of Nationwide Release for Revival Figure Wave 2

Lab Notes | Business Perspective: Placing 10 Statues Across 9 Municipalities as a Recovery Initiative

Rather than concentrating all ten Straw Hat statues in one city center, Kumamoto Prefecture distributed them across nine municipalities at railway stations, public parks, community exchange halls, and an earthquake memorial museum—crafting an official story that ties each character's role (such as shipwright Franky at Takamori Station or archaeologist Robin at the former Tokai University Aso Campus) to the specific recovery journey of each community.

Assigning a clear narrative theme to each stop and pairing statues with existing stations and community facilities offers a practical blueprint for region-wide tourism dispersion—while also showing why regional maps must clearly communicate facility-specific access hours, such as KIOKU's daytime-only entry rules.

Related Oshi Lab report: Railway & Airline IP Collaboration Case Studies

Official Sources & Primary References

• ONE PIECE Official Series Overview
• Kumamoto Prefecture: History of the Revival Project
• Kumamoto Prefecture: Luffy Statue Guide
• Kumamoto Prefecture: Locations of All 10 Statues
• Kumamoto City Tourism Guide: Chopper Statue
• Aso City: Usopp Statue Guide
• ONE PIECE Kumamoto Revival Project Official News
• ONE PIECE Mugiwara Store Official Website

Exhibition dates, opening hours, admission fees, and ticket details are current at the time of writing. Always check the official websites for the latest schedule updates before setting out on your pilgrimage visit.