How to travel from Tohoku to Kumamoto, Japan

The distance between Tohoku and Kumamoto is around 1,242km (772 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to take a taxi, then take the train and then fly which takes around 5h 15m.

11 routes found

We've found 11 different ways to get from Tohoku to Kumamoto by train, taxi, 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 KumamotoTohoku if you're planning a return trip.

1
train
+
plane
+
train
+

Train to Shin-Hanamaki, plane

Take the train to Shin-Hanamaki then fly from Morioka (HNA) to Fukuoka (FUK) then take the train to Kumamoto.

  • Duration5h 25m
  • Flight time2h 10m
  • Typical cost
    ¥57,635($420)
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
+

Train

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

  • Duration9h 30m
  • Departshourly
  • Typical cost
    ¥58,865($430)

1 similiar route

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

💰 Cheapest
3
3 x bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Sendai Station then Kobe Sannomiya and then to Kumamoto Sakuramachi BT.

  • Duration1 day 1h
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    ¥45,585($335)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

4
taxi
+
3 x bus
+

Taxi and Bus

Take a taxi to Ishinazaka then take the bus to Basuta Shinjuku Tokyo then Hakata Bus Terminal and then to Kumamoto Sakuramachi Bus Terminal.

  • Duration23h 45m
  • Departsonce daily
  • Typical cost
    ¥45,725($335)
Operated by

Multiple operators

5
car
+

Drive

Drive to Kumamoto.

  • Duration17h 40m
  • Distance1,530km (951 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Tohoku and Kumamoto

There are several options for getting from Tohoku to Kumamoto by train, taxi, bus, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around ¥45,585 ($335) and will take around 1 day 1h. If you need to get there more quickly, you can take a taxi, then take the train and then fly and arrive in approximately 5h 15m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately ¥54,895 ($400).

The distance between Tohoku and Kumamoto is around 1,242km (772 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 1,304km (810 miles)

It takes around 9h 30m to get from Tohoku and Kumamoto by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 17h 40m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Tohoku to Kumamoto is to take a taxi, then take the train and then fly which takes around 5h 15m and will set you back approx ¥54,895 ($400).

The cheapest way to travel between Tohoku and Kumamoto, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around ¥45,585 ($335) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Tohoku and Kumamoto. It typically takes around 9h 30m and departs hourly.

There are no direct train services that runs from Tohoku to Kumamoto. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Naruko-Onsen, Furukawa, Tokyo and Hakata. These services run hourly and will take a minimum of 9h 30m.

Japan Railways Shinkansen run train services between Tohoku and Kumamoto. Trains depart hourly and will take around 9h 30m, 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 Tohoku and Kumamoto. It typically takes around 1 day 1h and departs once daily.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Tohoku to Kumamoto. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Naruko-Onsen, Furukawa, Sendai Station and Kobe Sannomiya. These services run once daily and will take a minimum of 1 day 1h.

JR Bus Tōhoku, Jam Jam Liner and Kintetsu Bus run regular bus services between Tohoku and Kumamoto. 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 Tohoku to Kumamoto. We recommend that you take a taxi to Naruko Gotenyu then take the train to Furukawa then fly from Sendai (SDJ) to Kumamoto (KMJ). instead which will take 5h 20m.

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 Tohoku and Kumamoto. The distance is around 1,530km (951 miles) by road and it will take around 17h 40m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Tohoku to Kumamoto is to take the train which takes, on average, 9h 30m and will usually cost around ¥58,865 ($430).

How do I get from Tohoku to Kumamoto

Compare travel optionsbetween Tohoku and Kumamoto

Transport options from Tohoku to Kumamoto
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Train to Shin-Hanamaki, plane + 5 similar
5h 25m
¥57,635($420)
hourly1,436km (892 miles)
Train to Shin-Hanamaki, Fly5h 35m
¥51,200($375)
hourly1,396km (867 miles)
Train and Plane5h 40m
¥64,070($470)
every 4 hours1,245km (773 miles)
Taxi to Naruko Gotenyu, train and plane5h 15m
¥54,895($400)
hourly1,304km (811 miles)
Taxi, Train and Plane5h 20m
¥60,785($445)
hourly1,242km (772 miles)
Plane, Bus and Train6h 25m
¥62,835($460)
hourly1,351km (840 miles)
Train + 1 similar
9h 30m
¥58,865($430)
hourly1,606km (998 miles)
Train via Omiya(Saitama)9h 55m
¥57,500($420)
hourly1,602km (995 miles)
Bus
1 day 1h
¥45,585($335)
once daily1,661km (1,032 miles)
Taxi and Bus
23h 45m
¥45,725($335)
once daily1,667km (1,036 miles)
Drive
17h 40m
¥22,860($165)
on demand1,530km (951 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Tohoku and Kumamoto

Bus companies

Airlines

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