[13] Severe damage occurred in Kumamoto and Ōita Prefectures, with numerous structures collapsing and catching fire.

[24] The earthquake was strongly felt as far north as Shimonoseki on southwestern Honshu, and as far south as the city of Kirishima in Kagoshima Prefecture.

[27] It was the first earthquake to occur on the island of Kyushu to register as a 7 on the Japan Meteorological Agency seismic intensity scale.

[45] Kumamoto Airport was also closed to all but emergency flights, and service on the Kyushu Shinkansen was suspended after a train derailed due to the earthquake.

[29] Numerous landslides took place across the mountains of Kyushu, rendering roads impassable,[35][48] The Great Aso Bridge [ja] of the Japan National Route 325 in Minamiaso collapsed into the Kurokawa river.

The shrine's rōmon (tower gate), officially classified as an Important Cultural Property by the Japanese government, and the haiden (worshiping hall) both completely collapsed.

[50] Kumamoto Castle, another Important Cultural Property sustained damage to its roof and exterior buildings and walls because of the earthquakes and associated aftershocks.

[51] Several of the castle's shachihoko ornaments were destroyed,[52] and a large number of kawara tiles also fell from the roof.

Other historical buildings such as Janes' Residence, the first western-style house built in Kumamoto (dating from 1871)[53] were also totally destroyed.

[54] The former registered Cultural Asset was initially located in the grounds of Kumamoto Castle, but was later relocated near Suizen-ji Jōju-en.

[35] Prime Minister Shinzō Abe mobilized 3,000 personnel of the Japan Self-Defense Forces to assist local authorities with search and rescue and recovery efforts.