How to travel from Kumamoto to Akita, Japan

The distance between Kumamoto and Akita is around 1,503km (934 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly and then take the train which takes around 5h 10m.

4 routes found

We've found 4 different ways to get from Kumamoto to Akita 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 AkitaKumamoto if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
plane
+
train
+

Plane and Train

Fly from Kumamoto (KMJ) to Odate Noshiro (ONJ) then take the train to Akita.

  • Duration5h 10m
  • Flight time2h 50m
  • Typical cost
    ¥38,060($280)
Operated by

Multiple operators

2
3 x train
+

Train

Take the train to Hakata then Tokyo and then to Akita.

  • Duration9h 35m
  • Departshourly
  • Typical cost
    ¥46,545($340)
💰 Cheapest
3
4 x bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Hakata Bus Terminal, Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal then Sendai Station and then to Akita.

  • Duration1 day 1h
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    ¥29,980($220)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

4
car
+

Drive

Drive to Akita.

  • Duration17h 20m
  • Distance1,506km (936 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Kumamoto and Akita

There are several options for getting from Kumamoto to Akita by train, bus, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around ¥29,980 ($220) and will take around 1 day 1h. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and then take the train and arrive in approximately 5h 10m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately ¥38,060 ($280).

The distance between Kumamoto and Akita is around 1,503km (934 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 1,157km (719 miles)

It takes around 9h 35m to get from Kumamoto and Akita by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 17h 20m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Kumamoto to Akita is to fly and then take the train which takes around 5h 10m and will set you back approx ¥38,060 ($280).

The cheapest way to travel between Kumamoto and Akita, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around ¥29,980 ($220) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Kumamoto and Akita. It typically takes around 9h 35m and departs hourly.

There are no direct train services that runs from Kumamoto to Akita. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Hakata and Tokyo. These services run hourly and will take a minimum of 9h 35m.

Japan Railways Shinkansen run train services between Kumamoto and Akita. Trains depart hourly and will take around 9h 35m, 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 Kumamoto and Akita. It typically takes around 1 day 1h and departs once daily.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Kumamoto to Akita. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Hakata Bus Terminal, Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal and Sendai Station. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 1 day 1h.

Nishitetsu, JR Bus Tōhoku and Willer Express run regular bus services between Kumamoto and Akita. Buses run once daily and take around 1 day 1h on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Kumamoto to Akita. We recommend that you fly from Kumamoto (KMJ) to Odate Noshiro (ONJ) then take the train to Akita. instead which will take 5h 10m.

The closest major airport to Akita is Akita Airport (AXT) (AXT) which is approximately 16km (10 miles) from Akita. Odate–Noshiro Airport (ONJ) (ONJ) and New Chitose Airport (CTS) (CTS) 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 Kumamoto and Akita. The distance is around 1,506km (936 miles) by road and it will take around 17h 20m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Kumamoto to Akita is to take the train which takes, on average, 9h 35m and will usually cost around ¥46,545 ($340).

How do I get from Kumamoto to Akita

Compare travel optionsbetween Kumamoto and Akita

Transport options from Kumamoto to Akita
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Plane and Train
5h 10m
¥38,060($280)
every 2 hours1,503km (934 miles)
Train
9h 35m
¥46,545($340)
hourly1,783km (1,108 miles)
Bus
1 day 1h
¥29,980($220)
once daily1,840km (1,143 miles)
Drive
17h 20m
¥22,450($165)
on demand1,506km (936 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Kumamoto and Akita

Bus companies

Train operators

Airports near Akita

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

AXT
Akita Airport (AXT)
Domestic Airport
Distance
16km (10 miles) from Akita
ONJ
Odate–Noshiro Airport (ONJ)
Domestic Airport
Distance
58km (36 miles) from Akita
CTS
New Chitose Airport (CTS)
International Airport
Distance
366km (227 miles) from Akita