Getting there
From Tokyo to Kumamoto
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By air
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JAL, ANA, Solaseed Air, and Jetstar Japan offer flights from Tokyo to Kumamoto, taking about 100 minutes. Regular fares are around 53,000 yen, with discounts bringing them down to 20,000-28,000 yen. Solaseed Air is 20% cheaper, and Jetstar starts at 6,000 yen.
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Kumamoto Airport is 50 minutes by bus from Sakuramachi Bus Terminal or 60 minutes from Kumamoto Station, costing 1,000 yen one way. Rental car services are available at the airport.
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By train
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Tokyo and Kumamoto are connected by the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen, but you'll need to transfer trains, usually at Shin-Osaka or Hakata Station. The trip takes about six hours and costs around 27,000 yen. The Japan Rail Pass covers the trip on the slower Hikari and Sakura trains, but you'll need to pay an extra fee for the faster Nozomi and Mizuho trains.
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By bus
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There are long-distance buses that travel between Tokyo and Kumamoto, but the journey takes about 14-16 hours. The bus fare is typically around 8,000 to 12,000 yen one way, depending on the service and class of seat. These buses are a more affordable option compared to trains or flights, but the travel time is much longer.
From Fukuoka to Kumamoto
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By train
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The Kyushu Shinkansen takes about 30-40 minutes to travel from Fukuoka's Hakata Station to Kumamoto, costing 4,700 yen for an unreserved seat and a little more for a reserved seat. The trip is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass and Kyushu Rail Pass, except for Mizuho trains with the Japan Rail Pass.
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By bus
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The highway bus from Fukuoka (Hakata Station) to Kumamoto (Sakuramachi Bus Terminal) takes about two hours and costs 2,500 yen. Buses leave every hour, and there are also hourly buses between Fukuoka Airport and Kumamoto.
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From Osaka to Kumamoto
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By train
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Mizuho and Sakura trains connect Osaka (Shin-Osaka Station) with Kumamoto via the Sanyo/Kyushu Shinkansen. The trip takes 180-210 minutes and costs about 19,000 yen. The Japan Rail Pass covers Sakura trains, but you need to pay an extra fee for the faster, less frequent Mizuho trains.
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By bus
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The overnight bus from Osaka to Kumamoto takes about 11 hours and costs between 8,000 and 11,700 yen, depending on the travel date.
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From Kyoto to Kumamoto
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By train
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Kyoto and Kumamoto are connected by the Tokaido, Sanyo, and Kyushu Shinkansen, with one transfer at Shin-Osaka or Hakata Station. The trip takes about 3.5 hours and costs around 20,000 yen. The Japan Rail Pass covers Hikari and Sakura trains, but you need to pay extra for the faster Nozomi and Mizuho trains.
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By bus
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The overnight bus from Kyoto to Kumamoto takes about 12 hours and costs between 8,000 and 11,700 yen, depending on the travel date.
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From Beppu to Kumamoto
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By bus
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Kyushu Sanko runs the Kyushu Odan Buses (Trans Kyushu Buses) between Kumamoto and Beppu, passing through Aso, Kurokawa Onsen, and Yufuin. The trip takes 5 hours, costs 5,000 yen, and is covered by the Sun Q Pass.
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From Aso to Kumamoto
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By bus
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There are two bus services, "Yamabiko" and "Kyushu Odan," that connect Kumamoto (with stops at Kumamoto Station, Sakuramachi Bus Terminal, and the airport) to Aso Station, and then continue on to Oita and Beppu. The ride from Kumamoto to Aso takes about 2 hours and costs 1,530 yen, which is covered by the Sun Q Pass. "Yamabiko" buses run every 2-3 hours, while "Kyushu Odan" buses operate three times a day.
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