How to travel between Kumamoto and Tokyo
By train:
Take the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen from Tokyo to Fukuoka's Hakata Station and transfer to the Relay Tsubasa limited express train for Kumamoto.
The one way trip from Tokyo to Kumamoto takes about 6.5 hours and costs around 24,000 yen. If you use a Japan Rail Pass, you will require an additional hour, since you cannot use nozomi trains along the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen. Instead you should take hikari trains with an additional transfer at Shin-Osaka Station.
By air:
JAL, ANA and Skynet Asia operate flights between Tokyo's Haneda Airport and Kumamoto Airport. Flight duration is about 100 minutes.
The regular one way fare of JAL and ANA is around 34,000 yen, but discount tickets are usually available for between 16,000 and 26,000 yen. The fares of Skynet Asia are roughly 25 percent lower than the ones of JAL and ANA.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. For the current yen exchange rate, click here.
Orientation
The city's main station, Kumamoto Station, is located about two kilometers southwest of the city center. Trains from Fukuoka also stop at Kami-Kumamoto Station, one station north of Kumamoto Station. Both stations are about a 10 minute tram ride from the city center.
Kumamoto is served by two tram lines and buses, operated by the city. Trams provide convenient access from Kumamoto Station and Kami-Kumamoto Station to the city center and most tourist attractions. Fares start at 130 yen and increase according to the distance traveled.
Most city bus and highway bus lines terminate at Kumamoto Kotsu Center in the city center. A one-day pass for unlimited use of trams and city buses in central Kumamoto is available for 700 yen.
The JR Hohi Line, which connects Kumamoto with Aso and Beppu, can be useful to access eastern parts of Kumamoto City, including Suizenji Garden.
Kumamoto Airport is located about 20 kilometers outside of central Kumamoto. It can be reached by buses in about 40 minutes from Kotsu Center or about one hour from Kumamoto Station. The one way fare is 670 yen.
