How to travel from Hakuba to Kumamoto, Japan

The distance between Hakuba and Kumamoto is around 897km (557 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train and then fly which takes around 4hrs.

9 routes found

We've found 9 different ways to get from Hakuba to Kumamoto by train, bus, car and plane. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

👋 Also check out KumamotoHakuba if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
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train
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plane
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Train and Plane

Take the train to Matsumoto then fly from Matsumoto (MMJ) to Fukuoka (FUK) then take the train to Kumamoto.

  • Duration4hrs
  • Flight time1h 50m
  • Typical cost
    ¥33,265($245)
Operated by

Multiple operators

4 similiar routes

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

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4 x train
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Train

Take the train to Matsumoto, Nagoya then Shin-Osaka and then to Kumamoto.

  • Duration7h 20m
  • Departs5 times a week
  • Typical cost
    ¥29,570($215)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

3
bus
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train
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bus
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Bus and Train

Take the bus to Shin Osaka then take the train to Hakata then take the bus to Kumamoto Sakuramachi Bus Terminal.

  • Duration15h 30m
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    ¥24,640($180)
Operated by

Multiple operators

1 similiar route

We’ve grouped similar routes together, click the arrows to see the other options.

4
car
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Drive

Drive to Kumamoto.

  • Duration12h 30m
  • Distance1,131km (703 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Hakuba and Kumamoto

There are several options for getting from Hakuba to Kumamoto by train, bus, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the bus and then take the train which costs around ¥17,525 ($130) and will take around 19h 30m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train and then fly and arrive in approximately 4hrs, though it is a bit more costly at approximately ¥33,265 ($245).

The distance between Hakuba and Kumamoto is around 897km (557 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 800km (497 miles)

It takes around 7h 20m to get from Hakuba and Kumamoto by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 12h 30m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Hakuba to Kumamoto is to take the train and then fly which takes around 4hrs and will set you back approx ¥33,265 ($245).

The cheapest way to travel between Hakuba and Kumamoto, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus and then take the train which will typically cost around ¥17,525 ($130) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Hakuba and Kumamoto. It typically takes around 7h 20m and departs 5 times a week.

There are no direct train services that runs from Hakuba to Kumamoto. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Matsumoto, Nagoya and Shin-Osaka. These services run 5 times a week and will take a minimum of 7h 20m.

Japan Railways Limited Express and Japan Railways Shinkansen run train services between Hakuba and Kumamoto. Trains depart 5 times a week and will take around 7h 20m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Sorry, looks like there is no bus service that runs between Hakuba and Kumamoto. We recommend that you take the train to Matsumoto then fly from Matsumoto (MMJ) to Fukuoka (FUK) then take the train to Kumamoto. instead which will take 4hrs.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Hakuba to Kumamoto. We recommend that you take the train to Matsumoto then fly from Matsumoto (MMJ) to Fukuoka (FUK) then take the train to Kumamoto. instead which will take 4hrs.

The closest major airport to Kumamoto is Kumamoto Airport (KMJ) (KMJ) which is approximately 30km (18 miles) from Kumamoto. Amakusa Airport (AXJ) (AXJ) and Fukuoka Airport (FUK) (FUK) are also nearby and might be a better alternative airport depending on where you are flying from.

Drive yourself

Yes it is possible to drive from Hakuba and Kumamoto. The distance is around 1,131km (703 miles) by road and it will take around 12h 30m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Hakuba to Kumamoto is to take the train which takes, on average, 7h 20m and will usually cost around ¥29,570 ($215).

How do I get from Hakuba to Kumamoto

Compare travel optionsbetween Hakuba and Kumamoto

Transport options from Hakuba to Kumamoto
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train and Plane + 4 similar
4hrs
¥33,265($245)
5 times a week911km (566 miles)
Train to Matsumoto, plane5h 55m
¥26,695($195)
5 times a week897km (557 miles)
Train to Matsumoto, plane6hrs
¥33,675($245)
5 times a week897km (558 miles)
Bus to Nagano station, train and plane5h 20m
¥34,500($250)
every 4 hours1,032km (641 miles)
Bus, Train and Plane5h 35m
¥29,570($215)
every 4 hours1,176km (731 miles)
Train
7h 20m
¥29,570($215)
5 times a week1,065km (662 miles)
Bus and Train + 1 similar
15h 30m
¥24,640($180)
once daily1,086km (675 miles)
Bus to Nagoya West Exit, train19h 30m
¥17,525($130)
once daily1,190km (740 miles)
Drive
12h 30m
¥16,975($125)
on demand1,131km (703 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Hakuba and Kumamoto

Airlines

Bus companies

Train operators

Airports near Kumamoto

The following major airports near Kumamoto offer regular flights to various popular destinations within Japan and internationally.

KMJ
Kumamoto Airport (KMJ)
Domestic Airport
Distance
30km (18 miles) from Kumamoto
AXJ
Amakusa Airport (AXJ)
Domestic Airport
Distance
48km (30 miles) from Kumamoto
FUK
Fukuoka Airport (FUK)
International Airport
Distance
106km (66 miles) from Kumamoto