Google maps does a good job with public transit most of the time.
Trains
Fares vary by distance.
JR Kagoshima Line
Connects Yatsushiro, Uto, Kumamoto, Tamana, and Omuta.
Technically goes as far as Hakata (Fukuoka) but you're better off transferring to the Nishitetsu at Omuta station.
JR Hohi Line
Connects Kumamoto, Suizenji, Ozu, Aso, and Oita Prefecture and City.
DOES NOT ACCEPT IC CARDS FURTHER EAST THAN HIGO-OZU STATION. Get a ticket if you plan to go farther than Ozu.
There are limited express services to Aso and Oita. Check the JR Kyushu website for reservation details.
JR Kyushu Shinkansen
Connects Kagoshima, Kumamoto, Kurume, Tosu, Hakata (Fukuoka). There is through-service all the way to Shin-Osaka as well.
You can get cheaper tickets to some destinations if you buy them 1-3 weeks in advance. Check the JR Kyushu website for details.
Nishitetsu Omuta Line
Connects Omuta, Yanagawa, Kurume, and Fukuoka (Tenjin).
The limited express doesn't cost extra, and takes roughly 1 hour end-to-end.
Although entirely in Fukuoka Prefecture, it is still easily accessible via the JR Kagoshima line. Transfer at Omuta station.
Kumamoto Dentetsu (Kumaden)
Connects Koshi and northern Kumamoto city to either Kami-Kumamoto station or Fujisakigu-mae station in the city center.
JR Misumi Line
DOES NOT ACCEPT IC CARDS FURTHER WEST THAN UTO STATION.
Connects Uto to Misumi port. Some trains run all the way to Kumamoto station.
Minami-Aso Railway
Connects the southern Aso region to Tateno station on the JR Hohi line.
Hisatsu Orange Railway
Connects Yatsushiro to Sendai in Kagoshima prefecture.
A long time ago, this used to be part of the Kagoshima line.
Kumagawa Railway
A rail connecting Nishiki, Asagiri, Taragi, and Yunomae in the south of the prefecture. Currently doesn't connect to Hitoyoshi due to the 2020 disaster damage.
JR Kagoshima Line
Connects Yatsushiro, Uto, Kumamoto, Tamana, and Omuta.
Technically goes as far as Hakata (Fukuoka) but you're better off transferring to the Nishitetsu at Omuta station.
JR Hohi Line
Connects Kumamoto, Suizenji, Ozu, Aso, and Oita Prefecture and City.
DOES NOT ACCEPT IC CARDS FURTHER EAST THAN HIGO-OZU STATION. Get a ticket if you plan to go farther than Ozu.
There are limited express services to Aso and Oita. Check the JR Kyushu website for reservation details.
JR Kyushu Shinkansen
Connects Kagoshima, Kumamoto, Kurume, Tosu, Hakata (Fukuoka). There is through-service all the way to Shin-Osaka as well.
You can get cheaper tickets to some destinations if you buy them 1-3 weeks in advance. Check the JR Kyushu website for details.
Nishitetsu Omuta Line
Connects Omuta, Yanagawa, Kurume, and Fukuoka (Tenjin).
The limited express doesn't cost extra, and takes roughly 1 hour end-to-end.
Although entirely in Fukuoka Prefecture, it is still easily accessible via the JR Kagoshima line. Transfer at Omuta station.
Kumamoto Dentetsu (Kumaden)
Connects Koshi and northern Kumamoto city to either Kami-Kumamoto station or Fujisakigu-mae station in the city center.
JR Misumi Line
DOES NOT ACCEPT IC CARDS FURTHER WEST THAN UTO STATION.
Connects Uto to Misumi port. Some trains run all the way to Kumamoto station.
Minami-Aso Railway
Connects the southern Aso region to Tateno station on the JR Hohi line.
Hisatsu Orange Railway
Connects Yatsushiro to Sendai in Kagoshima prefecture.
A long time ago, this used to be part of the Kagoshima line.
Kumagawa Railway
A rail connecting Nishiki, Asagiri, Taragi, and Yunomae in the south of the prefecture. Currently doesn't connect to Hitoyoshi due to the 2020 disaster damage.
Buses
IMPORTANT: Kumamoto buses do not accept IC cards except for the Kumamon one!
If you don't have a Kumamon IC card, pay with cash or tap-to-pay credit/debit cards.
Fare varies by distance.
The heart of the Kumamoto bus network is the Sakuramachi Bus terminal in downtown Kumamoto.
Besides local buses, you can also ride express buses to further cities like Fukuoka, Oita, Miyazaki, Kagoshima, and others. Useful for going to airports!
If you don't have a Kumamon IC card, pay with cash or tap-to-pay credit/debit cards.
Fare varies by distance.
The heart of the Kumamoto bus network is the Sakuramachi Bus terminal in downtown Kumamoto.
Besides local buses, you can also ride express buses to further cities like Fukuoka, Oita, Miyazaki, Kagoshima, and others. Useful for going to airports!
Kumamoto City Tram
Cost: ¥200 flat fare
From Kengun, both A and B lines run on the same tracks up until Karashimacho (near Sakuramachi).
A Line then continues to Kumamoto Station.
B Line then continues to Kami-Kumamoto Station.
From Kengun, both A and B lines run on the same tracks up until Karashimacho (near Sakuramachi).
A Line then continues to Kumamoto Station.
B Line then continues to Kami-Kumamoto Station.
Ferries
You can drive your car, motorcycle, or bicycle onto these ferries as well. If you are traveling during holidays it's recommended to get a reservation online.
Ariake Ferry
Connects Nagasu to Taira Port in Nagasaki Prefecture in 45 minutes.
Kumamoto Ferry
Connects Kumamoto Port to Shimabara Port in Nagasaki Prefecture. The trip is about 2 hours long.
Shimatetsu Ferry
Connects Amakusa to Nagasaki Prefecture.
Ariake Ferry
Connects Nagasu to Taira Port in Nagasaki Prefecture in 45 minutes.
Kumamoto Ferry
Connects Kumamoto Port to Shimabara Port in Nagasaki Prefecture. The trip is about 2 hours long.
Shimatetsu Ferry
Connects Amakusa to Nagasaki Prefecture.
Bike share (Chari-Chari)
Chari-chari is a bike share service that is available in Kumamoto city.
They also have electric bikes.
It is a great option if there is no convenient bus route.
To ride, you need to install the app and register for their service.
Keep in mind you can only end your ride at designated parking stations.
They also have electric bikes.
It is a great option if there is no convenient bus route.
To ride, you need to install the app and register for their service.
Keep in mind you can only end your ride at designated parking stations.
Airports
Aso-Kumamoto Airport (KMJ)
This airport is the closest to Kumamoto city, as well as the eastern part of the prefecture.
There are many domestic flights to Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and some other locations.
It also serves some international destinations in Asia.
There are buses from Kumamoto station and Sakuramachi bus terminal.
There is a free shuttle from Higo-Ozu station as well.
Amakusa Airport (AXJ)
This airport is located in Amakusa.
Amakusa Airlines offers codeshare services with JAL and ANA.
There are domestic flights to Fukuoka, Kumamoto, and Osaka.
Fukuoka Airport (FUK)
This airport is convenient if you're in the north of the prefecture.
This airport serves many more domestic destinations, and is the busiest airport in Kyushu.
It also serves plenty of international destinations to major hub airports in Asia.
There are express buses from Sakuramachi Bus terminal to Fukuoka airport.
Kagoshima Airport (KOJ)
This airport may be closer to you if you are in the south of the prefecture.
This airport serves domestic as well as international flights.
There are express buses from Kumamoto that stop at this airport.
Saga Airport (HSG)
This airport mostly serves flights to Tokyo.
Nevertheless, if you're in the north of the prefecture it is easily accessible by car via the Ariake Engan Road.
This airport is the closest to Kumamoto city, as well as the eastern part of the prefecture.
There are many domestic flights to Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and some other locations.
It also serves some international destinations in Asia.
There are buses from Kumamoto station and Sakuramachi bus terminal.
There is a free shuttle from Higo-Ozu station as well.
Amakusa Airport (AXJ)
This airport is located in Amakusa.
Amakusa Airlines offers codeshare services with JAL and ANA.
There are domestic flights to Fukuoka, Kumamoto, and Osaka.
Fukuoka Airport (FUK)
This airport is convenient if you're in the north of the prefecture.
This airport serves many more domestic destinations, and is the busiest airport in Kyushu.
It also serves plenty of international destinations to major hub airports in Asia.
There are express buses from Sakuramachi Bus terminal to Fukuoka airport.
Kagoshima Airport (KOJ)
This airport may be closer to you if you are in the south of the prefecture.
This airport serves domestic as well as international flights.
There are express buses from Kumamoto that stop at this airport.
Saga Airport (HSG)
This airport mostly serves flights to Tokyo.
Nevertheless, if you're in the north of the prefecture it is easily accessible by car via the Ariake Engan Road.
