Hakata Station to Kumamoto Station Highway Bus Guide

1. Lead Paragraph

Hakata Station is super convenient for traveling around Kyushu! To get to Kumamoto Station, you can take either the Shinkansen or a highway bus.
This article focuses on the highway bus option, covering fares, travel time, useful tickets, and boarding access.
Perfect for travelers who want to save money or enjoy a more relaxed journey.

2. Comparing Travel Options: Shinkansen vs Highway Bus

• Shinkansen: Fast but more expensive (we’ll cover this in a separate article).
• Highway bus: Slower, but cheaper and convenient for large luggage.

This article focuses on the highway bus experience from Hakata to Kumamoto.

3. Highway Bus Overview: Hinokuni Express

• Route name: Hinokuni Express – Super Nonstop
• Bus companies: Kyushu Sanko Bus & Nishitetsu (joint operation)
• Travel time: About 2 hours (depends on stop)
• Fare: 2,500 yen for adults
• Frequency: Weekdays 94 trips / Weekends & holidays 109 trips
• Reservation: Not required (first-come-first-served seating)
• Facilities: 4-seat rows (37 passengers), toilet, blanket, Wi-Fi
  🔗 Check current schedules → Official Site

4. Hakata Station Boarding Location

• Hakata Bus Terminal, 3rd Floor, Platform 38
• Facilities: ticket counter, restroom, coin lockers

5. After Arriving at Kumamoto Station

• Recommended drop-off points for sightseeing around Kumamoto:
  • Kumamoto Station Front
  • Kumamoto Sakuramachi Bus Terminal
  • Tori-machi Street
  • Miso Tenjin
  • Suizenji Park
  • Kumamoto Prefectural Office
• To reach the city center, tram or local buses are the easiest options.

6. How to Buy Bus Tickets

• At the bus terminal ticket counter
• Onboard: pay with cash, credit card, or Kumamon IC card

7. Discount Tickets & Deals

• Digital tickets (via “Bus Mori!” app)
  • 2-ride pack: 4,500 yen (2,250 yen per ride)
  • 4-ride pack: 8,000 yen (2,000 yen per ride)
• Paper tickets / Round-trip tickets
  • 4-ride pack: 9,000 yen (2,250 yen per ride)
  • Round-trip: 4,700 yen (2,350 yen per ride)

8. How to Ride the Highway Bus: Step by Step

Boarding

Tap credit card or Kumamon IC card on the reader.
For cash/tickets: take a boarding ticket (pay after your ride)

Note: Only Sanko buses accept IC cards; Nishitetsu buses do not.

Press the stop button

When the announcement says your stop, press the button (announcements are in English too)

Payment on exit

IC/tap cards: tap the reader for 1 second
Cash/ticket: insert boarding ticket + fare into the fare box
Change available on the bus (1,000 yen bills, 500/100/50 yen coins) – tell the driver first

9. Pros & Cons of the Highway Bus

Pros

• Cheaper than Shinkansen
• Multiple drop-off points near Kumamoto Station
• Easy to carry large luggage

Cons

• Travel time is longer
• Traffic delays possible
• Seats may be full during busy periods

10. Summary: Choose the Option That Fits You

• If saving money or having a relaxed journey is your goal, the highway bus is ideal.
• If speed is your priority, the Shinkansen is the better choice (covered in another article).
• Pick the option that best fits your needs and enjoy your trip from Hakata to Kumamoto!