Kumamoto: Getting there and around

Getting to Kumamoto

The one way journey between Fukuoka's Hakata Station and Kumamoto by Kyushu Shinkansen takes about 30-40 minutes and costs 4,700 yen for an unreserved seat or around 5,000 yen for a reserved seat. It is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass and Kyushu Rail Pass.

Covered by: Japan Rail Pass

The one way journey between Fukuoka's Hakata Station and Kumamoto by local trains takes about 2.5 hours and costs 2170 yen. One transfer of trains is required along the way.

The one way journey between Fukuoka (Hakata Station) and Kumamoto (Sakuramachi Bus Terminal) by highway bus takes about two hours and costs 2500 yen. There are several departures every hour. Furthermore, there are also hourly buses between Fukuoka Airport and Kumamoto.

Above fees and schedules are subject to change. Be sure to check current yen exchange rates.

Getting around

The city's main station, Kumamoto Station, is located about two kilometers southwest of the city center. Local 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. Trams cost a flat 170 yen per ride and provide convenient access from Kumamoto Station and Kami-Kumamoto Station to the city center and most tourist attractions. The local Denden Nimoca IC card, as well as Suica, Icoca and eight other IC card types can be used on the trams and buses in Kumamoto.

Most city bus and highway bus lines terminate at Sakuramachi Bus Terminal in the city center. A one-day pass for unlimited use of trams and city buses in central Kumamoto is available for 700 yen, while a one-day pass for just the trams costs 500 yen. Both passes include discounts on admission to some of Kumamoto's main attractions.

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 east of central Kumamoto. It can be reached by buses in about 50 minutes from Kumamoto Sakuramachi Bus Terminal (880 yen one way) or about 60 minutes from Kumamoto Station (960 yen).

Questions? Ask in our forum.

English

Kyushu Sanko

Operator of buses to Kumamoto Airport and between Kumamoto and Beppu.

- Minshuku Hiroshimaya
  Budget-friendly
  
  Situated in Kumamoto, an 40-minute walk from Hosokawa Residence Gyobutei, Hiroshimaya provides air-conditioned accommodation with free WiFi. Located around 2.2 km from Kumamoto Castle, the guest house is also 5 km away from Suizenji Park. The property is 800 metres from Shimada Museum of Art. Guest rooms at the guest house are equipped with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels. The shared bathroom is fitted with a shower and free toiletries. Kumamoto City Museum is 1.5 km from Hiroshimaya, while Former Residence of Natsume Soseki is 2.3 km away. The nearest airport is Kumamoto Airport, 16 km from the property.
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- THE BLOSSOM KUMAMOTO
  Luxury
  
  Located 3.2 km from Hosokawa Residence Gyobutei, THE BLOSSOM KUMAMOTO offers 4-star accommodation in Kumamoto and features a fitness centre, a restaurant and a bar. The property is around 3.4 km from Kumamoto Castle, 6 km from Suizenji Park and 14 km from Egao Kenko Stadium Kumamoto. The hotel has a sauna, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi throughout the property. All guest rooms in the hotel are equipped with a kettle. All units will provide guests with air conditioning, a safety deposit box and a flat-screen TV. Hirayama Hot Spring is 35 km from THE BLOSSOM KUMAMOTO, while Kumamoto Station is 200 metres away. The nearest airport is Kumamoto Airport, 17 km from the accommodation.
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- Dyeing and Hostel Nakashimaya - Female Only
  Budget-friendly
  
  Only a 2-minute walk from Senbabashi Train Station, Dyeing and Hostel Nakashimaya is a female only property that offers affordable accommodations with free Wi-Fi. Guests can enjoy views of Kumamoto Castle from the balcony and experience traditional tie-dyeing activities. JR Kumamoto Train Station is a 20-minute walk away. Guests can choose to stay in private Japanese-style rooms or in shared dormitory-style rooms. All rooms feature air conditioning, tatami (woven-straw) floors and Japanese futon bedding. Bathrooms and toilets are shared. Nakashimaya Dyeing and Hostel is a 15-minute walk from Kumamoto Castle and a 10-minute drive from Honmyo Temple. A coin-launderette is available. Guests can sit by the traditional Irori hearth and enjoy DVDs on the flat-screen TV at the shared lounge. A free-use internet PC is available and the free-use kitchen comes with a microwave and fridge. No meals are served.
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- FAV HOTEL KUMAMOTO
  Luxury
  
  Located in Kumamoto, within 1.9 km of Kumamoto Castle and 2.2 km of Hosokawa Residence Gyobutei, FAV HOTEL KUMAMOTO provides accommodation with a bar. With a terrace, the 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. Private parking is available on site. Guest rooms are equipped with a fridge, microwave, a kettle, a bidet, free toiletries and a desk. At the hotel each room is equipped with bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near FAV HOTEL KUMAMOTO include Kumamoto Station, Contemporary Art Museum Kumamoto and Kumamoto City Museum. The nearest airport is Kumamoto Airport, 16 km from the accommodation.
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- REF Kumamoto by VESSEL HOTELS
  Luxury
  
  Set in Kumamoto, within 1.2 km of Kumamoto Castle and 2.6 km of Hosokawa Residence Gyobutei, REF Kumamoto by VESSEL HOTELS offers accommodation with a spa and wellness centre and free WiFi throughout the property. Featuring a 24-hour front desk, this property also provides guests with a restaurant. Attractions in the area include Suizenji Park, 4.2 km away, or Shimada Museum of Art, located 2.9 km from the property. A continental breakfast is available every morning at the hotel. REF Kumamoto by VESSEL HOTELS offers a sauna. Children's amenities are available at the front desk free of charge. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Contemporary Art Museum Kumamoto, Former Residence of Natsume Soseki and Kumamoto City Museum. The nearest airport is Kumamoto Airport, 18 km from REF Kumamoto by VESSEL HOTELS.
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- Sotetsu Grand Fresa Kumamoto
  Mid-range
  
  Sotetsu Grand Fresa Kumamoto is located in Kumamoto, 3.2 km from Hosokawa Residence Gyobutei and 3.8 km from Suizenji Park. Featuring a restaurant, the 3-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, each with a private bathroom. The property is non-smoking and is situated 1.5 km from Kumamoto Castle. All rooms in the hotel are fitted with a flat-screen TV. At Sotetsu Grand Fresa Kumamoto the rooms come with bed linen and towels. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy a buffet breakfast. Speaking English and Japanese at the 24-hour front desk, staff are ready to help around the clock. Popular points of interest near Sotetsu Grand Fresa Kumamoto include Contemporary Art Museum Kumamoto, Minami Kumamoto Station and Kumamoto City Museum. The nearest airport is Kumamoto Airport, 15 km from the hotel.
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- Candeo Hotels Kumamoto Shinshigai
  Luxury
  
  Located in Kumamoto, within 1.5 km of Kumamoto Castle and 2.6 km of Hosokawa Residence Gyobutei, Candeo Hotels Kumamoto Shinshigai features free WiFi throughout the property. This 4-star hotel provides a spa experience, with its sauna and hot tub. Suizenji Park is 4.1 km away and Egao Kenko Stadium Kumamoto is 12 km from the hotel. A buffet breakfast is available daily at the hotel. Languages spoken at the reception include English, Japanese and Korean, and guests are invited to request guidance on the area when needed. Popular points of interest near Candeo Hotels Kumamoto Shinshigai include Contemporary Art Museum Kumamoto, Former Residence of Natsume Soseki and Kumamoto City Museum. The nearest airport is Kumamoto Airport, 15 km from the accommodation.
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- Kumamoto Hotel Castle
  Luxury
  
  Kumamoto Hotel Castle is a 7-minute walk from the famous Kumamoto Castle. It features 4 restaurants and modern guest rooms with free WiFi. The hotel is situated a 10-minute drive from JR Kumamoto Station. To reach the Suizenji Park, take a 15-minute tram ride from Toricho Suji Station or alternatively take a 10-minute taxi ride. Rooms come with a private bathroom, a refrigerator and free toiletries. Satellite channels can be enjoyed at an additional charge on the flat-screen TV. The restaurants at Hotel Castle Kumamoto specialises in international dishes such as Japanese, French and Chinese. Dinning Kitchen Kuyouan is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The hotel offers various services including luggage storage, currency exchange, dry cleaning and fax/photocopying.
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- &and COMFY HOTEL Kumamoto Jo View
  Mid-range
  
  &and COMFY HOTEL Kumamoto Jo View is situated in Kumamoto, 3.7 km from Suizenji Park and 12 km from Egao Kenko Stadium Kumamoto. This 3-star hotel features free WiFi and a restaurant. Hirayama Hot Spring is 33 km away and Former Residence of Natsume Soseki is 800 metres from the hotel. The reception at the hotel can provide tips on the area. Popular points of interest near &and COMFY HOTEL Kumamoto Jo View include Kumamoto Castle, Hosokawa Residence Gyobutei and Contemporary Art Museum Kumamoto. The nearest airport is Kumamoto Airport, 15 km from the accommodation.
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- KOKO HOTEL Premier Kumamoto
  Luxury
  
  KOKO HOTEL Premier Kumamoto is located in Kumamoto, 4.4 km from Suizenji Park and 13 km from Egao Kenko Stadium Kumamoto. The 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom and free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is set 1.3 km from Kumamoto Castle. At the hotel, all rooms include a desk. All guest rooms in KOKO HOTEL Premier Kumamoto are fitted with a flat-screen TV and free toiletries. A buffet breakfast is available every morning at the accommodation. Languages spoken at the reception include English and Japanese. Popular points of interest near KOKO HOTEL Premier Kumamoto include Hosokawa Residence Gyobutei, Contemporary Art Museum Kumamoto and Kumamoto City Museum. The nearest airport is Kumamoto Airport, 15 km from the hotel.
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