🚄 JRJapan Rail Pass
Nationwide ・ Three types: 7, 14 or 21 days. The period of use cannot be extended or changed
From ¥50,000
Fukuoka (Hakata) → Kumamoto
Fukuoka (Hakata) to Kumamoto
🚄 Shinkansen🚌 Highway bus
The Kyushu Shinkansen is the fastest way from Hakata to Kumamoto, taking as little as 32 min on the Mizuho. The Hinokuni highway bus, which you can easily board without a reservation, takes about 2 hr 10–20 min and costs less than half the Shinkansen fare.
Compare
Compare your options
Kyushu Shinkansen Mizuho / Sakura
- Travel time
- Fastest 32 min (about 40 min on the Sakura)
- Fare
- Ordinary-car reserved seat ¥5,840, non-reserved seat ¥5,310 (as of October 2026, regular season)
- Transfers
- None
Highway bus Hinokuni
- Travel time
- About 2 hr 10–20 min (Tenjin–Kumamoto)
- Fare
- ¥2,500 for adults, ¥4,700 round trip (as of October 2026)
- Transfers
- None
| Compare your options | Travel time | Fare | JR Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kyushu Shinkansen Mizuho / Sakura | Fastest 32 min (about 40 min on the Sakura) | Ordinary-car reserved seat ¥5,840, non-reserved seat ¥5,310 (as of October 2026, regular season) | The Sakura and Tsubame are covered by the JR Pass. The Mizuho requires a separate Nozomi/Mizuho special ticket (Hakata–Kumamoto ¥2,530 for adults) |
| Highway bus Hinokuni | About 2 hr 10–20 min (Tenjin–Kumamoto) | ¥2,500 for adults, ¥4,700 round trip (as of October 2026) | — |
Fares and times are as of the date shown. Airfares vary by season and booking date. Check the operator’s official website before you travel.
Recommended
Best option for…
Fastest option
→ Kyushu Shinkansen Mizuho / Sakura
Using a JR Pass
→ Kyushu Shinkansen Mizuho / Sakura
Cheap with no reservation
→ Highway bus Hinokuni
How to Ride
How to ride each option
Shinkansen
Kyushu Shinkansen Mizuho / Sakura
- Depart from
- Hakata Station
- Arrive at
- Kumamoto Station
- Travel time
- Fastest 32 min (about 40 min on the Sakura)
- Fare
- Ordinary-car reserved seat ¥5,840, non-reserved seat ¥5,310 (as of October 2026, regular season)
- Transfers
- None
- Tickets
- Station ticket office (Midori-no-madoguchi) or ticket machines, or JR Kyushu Online Train Reservation (with a page for international visitors)
- JR Pass
- The Sakura and Tsubame are covered by the JR Pass. The Mizuho requires a separate Nozomi/Mizuho special ticket (Hakata–Kumamoto ¥2,530 for adults)
- Note
- The JR Kyushu Rail Pass covers the Mizuho, Sakura and Tsubame
Highway bus
Highway bus Hinokuni
- Depart from
- Hakata Station / Nishitetsu Tenjin Expressway Bus Terminal
- Arrive at
- Kumamoto Sakuramachi Bus Terminal / Kumamoto Station (bus stop in front of the station)
- Travel time
- About 2 hr 10–20 min (Tenjin–Kumamoto)
- Fare
- ¥2,500 for adults, ¥4,700 round trip (as of October 2026)
- Frequency
- 82 round trips on weekdays, 91 on weekends and holidays (every 5–30 min)
- Transfers
- None
- Tickets
- No reservation needed for most services. Contactless credit card payment accepted on all services; IC cards also accepted on Nishitetsu services
- Note
- Some services require a reservation. May be delayed depending on road conditions
Tips
Good to know
- ✓With a JR Pass, the Mizuho requires a special ticket. Choose the Sakura or Tsubame to ride at no extra charge
- ✓The Hinokuni also stops at Kumamoto Sakuramachi Bus Terminal in central Kumamoto
Travel Passes
Travel passes you can use on this route
🚄 JR
🚄 JRJR KYUSHU RAIL PASS (All Kyushu / Northern Kyushu / Southern Kyushu)
Kyushu ・ 3, 5 or 7 consecutive days (Southern Kyushu is 3 days only; Northern Kyushu is 3 or 5 days)
From ¥22,000
🚌 BusSUNQ PASS
Kyushu ・ Paper passes are valid for 3 or 4 consecutive days. Digital passes: the 3-day pass covers any 3 days within 5 days from the start date, and the 4-day pass any 4 days within 7 days (each day runs from 3:00 to 26:59)
Map
Map
Airport Access
Getting to Kumamoto & Aso from the airport
Where to Stay · Agoda
Places to Stay near KumamotoPR
PR9.3レフ熊本 by ベッセルホテルズ
★★★★Check rates on Agoda10,026 reviews1.9 km from center
PR9.5ザ ブラッサム熊本
★★★★Check rates on Agoda4,800 reviews0.1 km from center
PR8.8天然温泉 六花の湯 ドーミーイン熊本
★★★★Check rates on Agoda9,246 reviews1.7 km from center
PR8.6三井ガーデンホテル熊本
★★★★Check rates on Agoda11,064 reviews1.7 km from center
PR8.7KOKO HOTEL 熊本上通
★★★Check rates on Agoda5,636 reviews2.8 km from center
PR9.1ホテル日航熊本
★★★★★Check rates on Agoda3,410 reviews2.6 km from center
Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
Other Routes
Other routes
Osaka → Fukuoka (Hakata)
Fastest: About 2 hr 30 min (e.g. Mizuho No. 601 departs Shin-Osaka 6:00 → arrives Hakata 8:28)
🚄 Shinkansen
Fukuoka (Hakata) → Nagasaki
Fastest: Fastest about 1 hr 20 min (including transfer time at Takeo-Onsen Station)
🚄 Shinkansen🚌 Highway bus
Fukuoka (Hakata) → Kagoshima (Kagoshima-Chuo)
Fastest: About 1 hr 20–35 min (e.g. Mizuho No. 601 departs Hakata 8:30 → arrives 9:53; Sakura No. 741 departs 9:06 → arrives 10:39)
🚄 Shinkansen🚌 Highway bus
Travel times, fares and boarding points are based on official information from rail, airline, bus and ferry operators. Fares and timetables can change, so check the official websites before you go.
Last checked: 2026-10-08