The one way journey between Fukuoka (Hakata Station) and Kagoshima (Kagoshima-Chuo Station) by Kyushu Shinkansen takes about 80-100 minutes, costs around 12,000 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass and the All Kyushu version of the Kyushu Rail Pass.
Nishitetsu and JR Kyushu Bus operate highway buses about once per hour between Fukuoka and Kagoshima. The one way journey takes five hours and costs 7,000 yen.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. Be sure to check current yen exchange rates.
Kagoshima's main train station is Kagoshima Chuo Station, while Kagoshima Station is a smaller station on the opposite side of the city center. Located halfway between the two stations, Tenmonkan is considered Kagoshima's central downtown area. There are two tram lines which serve both railway stations and provide quick and convenient service in the downtown area. One ride costs 170 yen regardless of the distance traveled.
In March 2025, a new railway station, Senganen Station, was opened, greatly improving access to the garden of the same name.
Kagoshima also has a bus network, which provides access to sites not served by trains and trams. The City View Bus is particularly useful for tourists, connecting Kagoshima Chuo Station with Senganen Garden, Shiroyama Park and the ferry terminal to Sakurajima. It run every 30 minutes and costs 230 yen per ride or 600 yen for unlimited use on one calendar day.
The Cute Pass provides unlimited use of trams, the City View Bus, the Sakurajima Island View Bus, other city-operated buses and the Sakurajima Ferry on one or two consecutive calendar days. The 1-day pass costs 1300 yen, while the 2-day pass costs 1900 yen. The pass also includes discounts at some tourist facilities.
Kagoshima Airport is located quite far outside the city center, and is most easily accessed by airport buses, which stop at a number of locations within the city, including Kagoshima Chuo Station and Tenmonkan. The one way ride takes 40-60 minutes and costs 1400 yen.
There are four separate ferry terminals across the Kagoshima Port area for ferries leaving to nearby and faraway destinations (see map above): about one bus per hour connects Kagoshima Chuo Station with the various terminals for ferries to Sakurajima and Yakushima (15 minutes, 160 yen one way). Ferries for Okinawa can be reached by the "Port Liner" bus which connects Kagoshima Chuo Station with Kagoshima New Port (20 minutes, 180 yen one way) once per day, timed to the ferries' departures and arrivals. All of the above-mentioned buses also stop at Tenmonkan in the city center along the way.
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