By Air

Tokyo (Haneda Airport ) - Kumamoto (1 hr. 40 min.), Osaka (Kansai or Itami Airport) - Kumamoto (1 hr. 5 min.), Nagoya - Kumamoto (1 hr. 15 min.), Sapporo (Chitose Airport) - Kumamoto (2 hrs. 30 min.) etc. All direct flights.

*From the airport the Kyushu Sangyo Kotsu Bus takes 1 hr. to the Kumamoto station Sanko Terminal.

By Train

From Tokyo

Take the Nozomi or Hikari super express Sanyo Shinkansen from Tokyo to Hakata, the L Tokkyu "Ariake" or "Tsubame" from Hakata to Kumamoto (6 hrs. 20 min.)

Or take the sleeper express "Hayabusa" from Tokyo to Kumamoto (17 hrs. 30 min.)

From Osaka, Nagoya

Take the Nozomi or Hikari super express Sanyo Shinkansen from Shin Osaka to Hakata, the L Tokkyu "Ariake" or "Tsubame" from Hakata to Kumamoto (3 hrs. 50 min. from Shin Osaka, 4 hrs. 50 min. from Nagoya)

Or the sleeper train "Naha" from Shin Osaka to Kumamoto (10 hrs. 40 min.)

Or the sleeper train "Hayabusa" from Nagoya to Kumamoto (13 hrs.)

By Bus

From Osaka

Take the "Sunrise-go" Kinki Nippon Tetsudo, Kyushu Sangyo Kotsu from Osaka to Kumamoto (10 hrs.)

Kumamoto Transportation System

For sightseeing within the city limits of Kumamoto, the "zensen-ken" pass (Adults 1,000 yen) for unlimited use of the city trolleys and buses is recommended. If use is limited to a smaller area, the "kukan shitei-ken" pass (Adults 500 yen) is convenient. The Kumamoto-jo Shuyu-ken makes stops at major sightseeing spots such as the Kumamoto Castle, the Hosokawa Gyobu-tei Residence, and the Traditional Craft Center.
The one-day pass costs 300 yen for adults. For more information please call the Kumamoto-shi Transportation Office Automobile Section at 096-361-5262.

Rental Cars

• Nissan Rental Car (Kumamoto Airport) / 0120-00-4123
• Nippon Rental Car (Kumamoto Airport) / 096-232-5680
• Toyota Rental Car Kumamoto / 096-371-0100