How to travel from Kumamoto to Nagano, Japan

The distance between Kumamoto and Nagano is around 893km (555 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take the train and then fly which takes around 3h 35m.

10 routes found

We've found 10 different ways to get from Kumamoto to Nagano 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 NaganoKumamoto if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
train
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plane
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train
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Train and Plane

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

  • Duration3h 35m
  • Flight time1h 30m
  • Typical cost
    ¥47,365($345)
Operated by

Multiple operators

5 similiar routes

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

2
3 x train
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Train

Take the train to Shin-Osaka then Nagoya and then to Nagano.

  • Duration7hrs
  • Departshourly
  • Typical cost
    ¥28,750($210)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

1 similiar route

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

💰 Cheapest
3
bus
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bus
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Bus

Take the bus to Sannomiya Station and then to Nagano.

  • Duration19h 20m
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    ¥19,165($140)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

4
car
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Drive

Drive to Nagano.

  • Duration12h 55m
  • Distance1,102km (685 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Kumamoto and Nagano

There are several options for getting from Kumamoto to Nagano by train, bus, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around ¥19,165 ($140) and will take around 19h 20m. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take the train and then fly and arrive in approximately 3h 35m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately ¥47,365 ($345).

The distance between Kumamoto and Nagano is around 893km (555 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 822km (511 miles)

It takes around 7hrs to get from Kumamoto and Nagano by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 12h 55m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Kumamoto to Nagano is to take the train and then fly which takes around 3h 35m and will set you back approx ¥47,365 ($345).

The cheapest way to travel between Kumamoto and Nagano, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around ¥19,165 ($140) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Kumamoto and Nagano. It typically takes around 7hrs and departs hourly.

There are no direct train services that runs from Kumamoto to Nagano. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Shin-Osaka and Nagoya. These services run hourly and will take a minimum of 7hrs.

Japan Railways Shinkansen and Japan Railways Limited Express run train services between Kumamoto and Nagano. Trains depart hourly and will take around 7hrs, 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 Nagano. It typically takes around 19h 20m and departs once daily.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Kumamoto to Nagano. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Sannomiya Station. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 19h 20m.

Kintetsu Bus and Nagaden Bus run regular bus services between Kumamoto and Nagano. Buses run once daily and take around 19h 20m 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 Nagano. We recommend that you fly from Kumamoto (KMJ) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) then take the train to Nagano. instead which will take 4h 15m.

The closest major airport to Nagano is Matsumoto Airport (MMJ) (MMJ) which is approximately 59km (37 miles) from Nagano. Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) (HND) and Narita International Airport (NRT) (NRT) 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 Nagano. The distance is around 1,102km (685 miles) by road and it will take around 12h 55m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Kumamoto to Nagano is to take the train which takes, on average, 7hrs and will usually cost around ¥28,750 ($210).

How do I get from Kumamoto to Nagano

Compare travel optionsbetween Kumamoto and Nagano

Transport options from Kumamoto to Nagano
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train and Plane + 5 similar
3h 35m
¥47,365($345)
hourly926km (575 miles)
Train to Hakata, plane3h 55m
¥36,280($265)
hourly989km (614 miles)
Plane and Train4h 15m
¥31,350($230)
every 30 mins1,132km (704 miles)
Train to Shin-Tosu, plane4h 50m
¥37,235($270)
5 times a day1,258km (782 miles)
Fly to Nagoya Airfield (NKM), Train5h 20m
¥36,965($270)
hourly893km (555 miles)
Fly to Chūbu Centrair (NGO), Train5h 40m
¥32,855($240)
hourly899km (559 miles)
Train + 1 similar
7hrs
¥28,750($210)
hourly1,067km (663 miles)
Train via Shin-Osaka7hrs
¥30,120($220)
hourly1,138km (707 miles)
Bus
19h 20m
¥19,165($140)
once daily1,158km (719 miles)
Drive
12h 55m
¥16,565($120)
on demand1,102km (685 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Kumamoto and Nagano

Airlines

Bus companies

Train operators

Airports near Nagano

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

MMJ
Matsumoto Airport (MMJ)
Domestic Airport
Distance
59km (37 miles) from Nagano
HND
Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
International Airport
Distance
188km (117 miles) from Nagano
NRT
Narita International Airport (NRT)
International Airport
Distance
219km (136 miles) from Nagano