How to travel from Yamagata to Kōfu, Japan

The distance between Yamagata and Kōfu is around 457km (284 miles) and the quickest way to get there is to fly and then take the train which takes around 3h 45m.

6 routes found

We've found 6 different ways to get from Yamagata to Kōfu 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 KōfuYamagata if you're planning a return trip.

🚀 Fastest
1
plane
+
train
+

Plane and Train

Fly from Yamagata (GAJ) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) then take the train to Kofu.

  • Duration3h 45m
  • Flight time1hr
  • Typical cost
    ¥19,030($140)
Operated by

Multiple operators

2 similiar routes

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

2
train
+
train
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Train

Take the train to Omiya(Saitama) and then to Kofu.

  • Duration4h 35m
  • Departshourly
  • Typical cost
    ¥13,140($95)
Operated by

Multiple train operators

💰 Cheapest
3
3 x bus
+

Bus

Take the bus to Sendai then Basuta Shinjuku Tokyo and then to Kofu Station.

  • Duration9hrs
  • Departsevery 4 hours
  • Typical cost
    ¥9,995($73)
Operated by

Multiple bus operators

4
car
+

Drive

Drive to Kōfu.

  • Duration5h 35m
  • Distance457km (284 miles)
Get turn-by-turn directions

Frequently asked questionsabout travel between Yamagata and Kōfu

There are several options for getting from Yamagata to Kōfu by train, bus, car and plane. The cheapest option is to take the bus which costs around ¥9,995 ($73) and will take around 9hrs. If you need to get there more quickly, you can fly and then take the train and arrive in approximately 3h 45m, though it is a bit more costly at approximately ¥19,030 ($140).

The distance between Yamagata and Kōfu is around 457km (284 miles). In a direct line (as the crow flies), the distance is 328km (204 miles)

It takes around 4h 35m to get from Yamagata and Kōfu by train. If you are travelling by car it will take around 5h 35m to drive there.

The quickest way to get from Yamagata to Kōfu is to fly and then take the train which takes around 3h 45m and will set you back approx ¥19,030 ($140).

The cheapest way to travel between Yamagata and Kōfu, if you exclude driving, is to take the bus which will typically cost around ¥9,995 ($73) for a standard one-way ticket.

Train travel

Yes there is a train service that runs between Yamagata and Kōfu. It typically takes around 4h 35m and departs hourly.

There are no direct train services that runs from Yamagata to Kōfu. However, you can instead can take several connecting trains with a changeover in Omiya(Saitama) and Shinjuku. These services run hourly and will take a minimum of 4h 35m.

Japan Railways Shinkansen and Japan Railways Limited Express run train services between Yamagata and Kōfu. Trains depart hourly and will take around 4h 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 Yamagata and Kōfu. It typically takes around 9hrs and departs every 4 hours.

There are no direct bus services that runs from Yamagata to Kōfu. However, you can instead can take several connecting buses with changeovers in Sendai and Basuta Shinjuku Tokyo. These services run every 4 hours and will take a minimum of 9hrs.

Yamako Bus, JR Bus Tōhoku, Willer Express and Keio Dentetsu Bus run regular bus services between Yamagata and Kōfu. Buses run every 4 hours and take around 9hrs on average but will vary depending on you book with.

Flights and Airlines

It doesn't look like you can fly directly from Yamagata to Kōfu. We recommend that you fly from Yamagata (GAJ) to Tokyo Haneda (HND) then take the train to Kofu. instead which will take 3h 45m.

The closest major airport to Kōfu is Matsumoto Airport (MMJ) (MMJ) which is approximately 81km (50 miles) from Kōfu. Shizuoka Airport (FSZ) (FSZ) and Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND) (HND) 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 Yamagata and Kōfu. The distance is around 457km (284 miles) by road and it will take around 5h 35m in normal traffic conditons.

If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get from Yamagata to Kōfu is to take the train which takes, on average, 4h 35m and will usually cost around ¥13,140 ($95).

How do I get from Yamagata to Kōfu

Compare travel optionsbetween Yamagata and Kōfu

Transport options from Yamagata to Kōfu
Transport optionDurationCostFrequencyDistance
Plane and Train + 2 similar
3h 45m
¥19,030($140)
every 4 hours491km (305 miles)
Fly to Nagoya Airfield (NKM), train4h 40m
¥29,845($220)
every 4 hours754km (469 miles)
Bus, Plane and Train5h 25m
¥25,600($185)
4 times a day624km (388 miles)
Train
4h 35m
¥13,140($95)
hourly461km (286 miles)
Bus
9hrs
¥9,995($73)
every 4 hours538km (334 miles)
Drive
5h 35m
¥6,845($50)
on demand457km (284 miles)

Top Carriersoperating between Yamagata and Kōfu

Bus companies

Train operators

Airports near Kōfu

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

MMJ
Matsumoto Airport (MMJ)
Domestic Airport
Distance
81km (50 miles) from Kōfu
FSZ
Shizuoka Airport (FSZ)
Domestic Airport
Distance
103km (64 miles) from Kōfu
HND
Tokyo Haneda Airport (HND)
International Airport
Distance
110km (69 miles) from Kōfu