How to travel from Kōchi to Kumamoto, Japan

The distance between Kōchi and Kumamoto is around 506km (315 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train which takes around 4h 60m.

3 routes found

We've found 3 different ways to get from Kōchi to Kumamoto by train, bus, car and ferry. The recommended routes, which include information on duration, ticket price, and level of difficulty, can be found below.

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

🚀 Fastest
1
train
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train
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Train

Take the train to Okayama and then to Kumamoto.

  • Duration4h 60m
  • Departshourly
  • Typical cost
    ¥17,795($130)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

2
3 x bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Matsuyama Inter Guchi then Hakata Bus Terminal and then to Kumamoto Sakuramachi Bus Terminal.

  • Duration13h 50m
  • Departs3 times a week
  • Typical cost
    ¥13,965($100)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

💰 Cheapest
3
car
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ferry
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car
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Car and Ferry

Drive to Mitsuhama then take a ferry to Yanai then drive to Kumamoto.

  • Duration8h 15m
  • Departshourly
  • Typical cost
    ¥10,405($76)
Operated by

Multiple operators

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Kōchi and Kumamoto

There are several options for getting from Kōchi to Kumamoto by train, bus, car and ferry. The cheapest option is to drive and then take a ferry which costs around ¥10,405 ($76) and will take around 8h 15m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train and arrive in approximately 4h 60m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately ¥17,795 ($130).

The distance between Kōchi and Kumamoto is around 506km (315 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 289km (180 miles)

It takes around 4h 60m to get from Kōchi and Kumamoto by train.

The quickest way to get from Kōchi to Kumamoto is to take the train which takes around 4h 60m and will set you back approx ¥17,795 ($130).

The cheapest way to travel between Kōchi and Kumamoto is to drive and then take a ferry which will typically cost around ¥10,405 ($76) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Kōchi and Kumamoto. It typically takes around 4h 60m and departs hourly.

There are no direct train services that runs from Kōchi to Kumamoto. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Okayama. These services run hourly and will take a minimum of 4h 60m.

Japan Railways Limited Express and Japan Railways Shinkansen run train services between Kōchi and Kumamoto. Trains depart hourly and will take around 4h 60m, however, this may vary depending on the particular service and whether it runs express or stops all stations.

Bus travel

Yes there is a bus that runs regularly from Kōchi and Kumamoto. It typically takes around 13h 50m and departs 3 times a week.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Kōchi to Kumamoto. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Matsuyama Inter Guchi and Hakata Bus Terminal. These services run 3 times a week and will take a minimum of 13h 50m.

JR Shikoku Bus, Iyotetsu and Nishitetsu run regular bus services between Kōchi and Kumamoto. Buses run 3 times a week and take around 13h 50m on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Kōchi to Kumamoto. We recommend that you take the train to Okayama and then to Kumamoto. instead which will take 4h 60m.

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

No, its not really possible or feasible to drive from Kōchi to Kumamoto. We recommend that you take the train to Okayama and then to Kumamoto. instead which will take 4h 60m.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Kōchi to Kumamoto is to take the train which takes, on average, 4h 60m and will usually cost around ¥17,795 ($130).

How do I get from Kōchi to Kumamoto

Compare travel optionsbetween Kōchi and Kumamoto

Transport options from Kōchi to Kumamoto
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train
4h 60m
¥17,795($130)
hourly668km (415 miles)
Bus
13h 50m
¥13,965($100)
3 times a week760km (472 miles)
Car and Ferry
8h 15m
¥10,405($76)
hourly506km (315 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Kōchi and Kumamoto

Bus companies

Ferry operators

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