Read on to find out how to get to Kumamoto from Fukuoka Airport by highway bus. The detail step-by-step guide with traveling time and bus fare included.
Kumamoto is easily accessed from Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Oita by public transport. There are frequent buses, local trains, and shinkansen running between these big cities in the Kyushu region. During my visit to Kumamoto, we choose to take the highway bus directly from Fukuoka Airport to Kumamoto once arrived in Kyushu. It is very convenient and budget option to get to Kumamoto without further transfer required.
Added, our accommodation in Kumamoto, Nest Hotel is located within a 1-minute walk from Kumamoto Kutsu Center as we planned to visit the Takachiho Gorge from Kumamoto by bus. One of the main reasons that we choose to get to Kumamoto by bus.
Buy Bus Ticket From Bus Service Counter
Before you proceed to the bus platform, remember to buy the Highway Bus tickets from the Highway Bus Service Counter. It is also the same service counter where you can get the SunQ bus and reserved ticket for the highway bus booked through online.
No bus reservation required for highway bus from Fukuoka Airport to Kumamoto. You can get the bus ticket once you arrived at Fukuoka Airport. From Fukuoka Airport to Kumamoto by highway bus takes about two hours with bus fare ¥2,280 for one way. The final stop is Kumamoto Sakuramachi Bus Terminal.
Get To Bus Platform
Once you purchased the ticket, proceed out from the airport terminal building to the Highway Bus Platform. All the transport information is well listed in Fukuoka Airport.
The highway bus to Kumamoto is located at Bus Stop 4 (nearest exit is thru Exit 3). It is also the same platform for bus getting to Saga, Kurume, Kokora, and Aso.
Bus Schedule From Fukuoka Airport To Kumamoto
There is one bus per hour that started from 9:02 morning until 22:02 night. Besides, additional bus runs between these routes for peak hour at 20:32 and 22:32.
Bus running quite frequently and probably this is the main reason for no online reservation required.
Wait At The Bus Stop
Wait at the Bus Stop and wait for the bus to Kumamoto. The bus will be clearly stated with Kumamoto. Added, there are also friendly staff are helping on the passenger to board the bus. Well marked sign for passenger to queue in front of the bus stop to different destinations.
On-time, the bus arrived at the bus stop.
Next, loaded the luggage into the bus when it arrived. For those who do not purchase the ticket, remember to take the numbered ticket at the entrance. It is used to compute your bus fare for your ride.
Sit back and relax for your bus ride. The seating area inside the bus is very clean and comfortable.
There are no many passengers who choose to take the bus from Fukuoka Airport to Kumamoto. The bus journey takes about two hours. Clear announcement on the next stop name along the bus ride.
Get Off at Destination
Lastly, get off at the desired destination and dropped the numbered ticket into the fare machine (if required). We just showed the purchased bus ticket to the driver and we were ready to go.
In short, for travel to Kumamoto, the one-way journey between Fukuoka Airport and Kumamoto Kotsu Center by highway bus takes about two hours and costs ¥2280. It is pretty simple and clear on how to take a bus to Kumamoto from Fukuoka Airport.
Bus Fare: ¥2,280 (for one way) Travel Time: 120 minutes
Related Kumamoto travel guide on what to do and eat in Kumamoto:
Read on how we enjoyed and fully used on the Nyuto Tegata with onsen hopping in Kurokawa onsen. Our best pick on hot spring bath included.
One of the must-do things in Kurokawa onsen is soaking into the natural hot spring water. There are various authentic onsen available to try on when getting around in Kurokawa onsen. It can be head-ache to choose from up to 24 ryokan list. Thankfully the decision is made slightly easier with the Kurokawa Onsen Hopping Pass.
Kurokawa Onsen Hopping
Firstly, we purchased our Wooden Onsen Pass (¥1,300) at the tourist information center. The Kurokawa Onsen Hopping Pass (Nyuto Tegata, 入湯手形) can access up to three different onsen of your choice. It is valid within six months but you can easily finish it within one or two days.
Before the trip, we already browse through all the ryokan listed and has a brief idea on what we want to try on. Our best pick for onsen hopping in Kurokawa onsen are Yamamizuki, Yama no Yado Shinmeikan and Okunoyu. We also spend one night in Ryokan Ikoi and fully utilized the private bath during our stay.
Below is the list of baths that we tried out during our visit to Kurokawa onsen.
Yamamizuki with onsen pass
Yama no Yado Shinmeikan with onsen pass
Okunoyu with onsen pass
Ryokan Ikoi (Staying one night)
Kurokawan Onsen Hopping#1: Yamamizuki
Our first vote goes for Yamamizuki (山水木日式旅館). This is also the best pick that we had made during our onsen hopping in Kurokawa onsen. It is popular among the visitors and probably the most beautiful open-air bath in Kurokawa onsen.
Yamamizuki located away from town with about 10 minutes drive or 20 minutes walk required. Free shuttle service available for guest even without staying in Yamamizuki. From Tsukemonoya Pickles Shop, we took the shuttle van to Yamamizuki.
There are a total of two outdoor baths (1 for men and 1 for women), two indoor baths ( 1 for men and 1 for women) with gender-separated. Additional one private bath for hotel guests or additional ¥2,000 for non-hotel guests for 50 minutes usage.
The whole hotel area is full of serenity and tranquil atmosphere. Follow the well-marked sign, we proceed to the bathing area to enjoy our first soak in Kurokawa onsen.
For daytime access with onsen hopping to Yamamizuki, guests can try on their outdoor and indoor bath. We love our time soaking into hot spring, surrounded by natural settling. The open-air bath area is located beside the wood along the riverside. One of the best moments for my visit to Kyushu.
While Yamamizuki worth to have another post to introduce on their hot spring facilities, transportation arrangement. Please continue on our onsen hopping experience in Yamamizuki.
Daytime Admission: 600 yen (1 stamp on Onsen Hopping Pass) Operating Hours: From 8:30 to 17:30
Kurokawan Onsen Hopping#2: Yama no Yado Shinmeikan
Next, we back to the town area and continue on our onsen hopping. The Yama no Yado Shinmeikan (山の宿 新明館) is our second choice on our list. It is the most iconic building in Kurokawa onsen and famous for its cave bath.
Wooden structure located alongside the river and reachable by a picturesque footbridge. Many people were taking photo of this traditional ancient design building.
For daytime access with onsen hopping pass, visitors can be using the one woman only cave bath, one mix gender cave bath, and one mix gender outdoor bath.
We had another stamped on Nyuto Tegata for access to Yama no Yado Shinmeikan. The reception explained that the entrance of the bathing area could be reached by following the side path alongside the building.
Read from people reviews on mix gender baths, you will need to pass through the walking path with people wandering along the street on the other riverbank (correct me if I’m wrong). I had a quick peep at the entrance of mix bath and does not dare to try on it.
We proceed to the women’s only cave bath. There are two entrances located at the left and right sides. Out of our surprise, the changing area is very very simple. There were only rack for putting the clothes on the basket, that’s it. No shampoo or soap is provided. The locker is located outside with 500 yen required.
We quickly walked into the bath area and soaked into the hot spring after cleaning on the body.
Cave bath in Suimeikan
The rocky cave bath was a quick shadow with a warm temperature. It is dark with steaming moisture inside the cave bathing area.
We are not a fan of the cave bath but it is worth to experience once when visiting here. It can be crowded if many people are soaking inside the cave bath.
My friend does not enjoy it and only soak for about 10 minutes. There is a resting area outside the bathing area where you can have some rest while waiting.
In short, it is worth to try on the cave bath in Yama no Yado Shinmeikan and listed in one of the onsen hopping in Kurokawa onsen. It is a unique experience for a hot spring bath even in Japan.
Daytime Admission: 500 yen (1 stamp on Onsen Hopping Pass) Operating Hours: From 8:30 to 19:00
Kurokawan Onsen Hopping#3: Okunoyu
Next on, Okunoyu (奥の湯) for our onsen hopping in Kurokawa onsen. It is also one of the popular picks for visitors and famous with its natural green surrounding.
Various of onsens bath including the private and mixed bath for guests to try on. There are a total of three private baths but unfortunately for in-house guests only. While daytime access visitors can try on their 3 mix outdoor bath, 1 mix gender indoor bath, 1 female only outdoor bath, and 1 mix gender cold water sauna bath.
Daytime Admission: 500 yen (1 stamp on Onsen Hopping Pass) Operating Hours: From 8:00 to 23:00
Kurokawan Onsen Hopping#4: Ryokan Ikoi
Next on Ryokan Ikoi (いこい旅館) for onsen hopping in Kurokawa onsen. We spend one night in Ryokan Ikoi. But it is worth to introduce and include Ryokan Ikoi into onsen hopping in Kurokawa onsen. It is an atmospheric old inn located in the central town. The wooden three-story structure has been more than 50 years but still well maintain.
There are list of onsen bath available in Ryokan Ikoi. But daytime access visitors can only try on a few of them. For female-only, there is one standing bath and outdoor beauty bath to try on. Added, there are three mix gender baths such as Taki-no (waterfall bath) and Utase-yu (Hot Spring Fall) and Boxy bath (Hako-yu).
We personally very enjoy and like the standing bath in Ryokan Ikoi. The water level was just nice until the shoulder level and you will need to hold suspended floating bamboo poles. The temperature was so warm and I feel so comfortable soaking in the hot spring water.
Daytime Admission: 500 yen (1 stamp on Onsen Hopping Pass) Operating Hours: From 8:30 to 21:00
Related post: Continue to read on our one night stay in Ryokan Ikoi if you want to know more about this traditional inn in Kurokawa onsen.
Overall: Best Onsen Bath in Kurokawa Onsen
Together with the ryokan stayed, we tried on four different hot spring baths by doing onsen hopping in Kurokawa onsen within two days. We can’t claim that we tried on most beautiful onsen in town as each bath unique in its way. But can’t deny that we love the onsen bath surrounded with traditional and natural settling.
If you are only limited time and would like to get the best pick on Kurokawa onsen hopping for your day trip, we would suggest going for Yamamizuki for its open-air natural view bath, Ryokan Ikoi for its standing bath and Suimeikan for its cave bath. In this case, you are trying all the three different hot spring baths in Kurokawa onsen.
Enjoy the tranquil outdoor bath is one of the must try when visiting Kurokawa onsen. We had onsen hopping in Yamamizuki ryokan, the most beautiful outdoor bath with natural settling in Kurokawa onsen.
By using the onsen hopping pass, visitors can freely access to three different onsen of your choice. Our onsen hopping in Kurokawa onsen started with Yamamizuki (山水木日式旅館). It is best known for the open-air outdoor bath (rotenburo). The outdoor onsen bath is located beside the running river, boasted by the picturesque natural view.
How To Get To Yamamizuki Ryokan
While the location is slightly away from town with 10 minutes drive or 30 minutes of walking distance required. However, Yamamizuki ryokan provides free shuttle service every 30 minutes in the daytime even for non-hotel guest. Thumb up for Japanese service.
The pickup location is located in front of Tsukemonoya Pickles Shop (漬物屋平野商店 つけものや), opposite the tourist information center. Just walked out to the street and turn right and you will find it. There were benches available while waiting for the shuttle bus.
Without a long wait, the shuttle van arrived. The driver is very friendly and can speak English. We double confirm on the service and boarded the shuttle van.
The shuttle service started from 11:00 morning until 17:45 evening, with 30 minutes interval. The journey to the Yamamizuki took less than 15 minutes. The road is quite narrow and only one car can pass each time.
Daytime Access
Soon, we arrived after pass through the wood. Follow the sign, day-trippers are entered through the side entrance to the bathing area. Even the walking path is beautifully decorated in Japanese Zen touch. We in high confidence that this must be a great onsen bath experience.
The entrance is the “Inoya” Coffee shop with several rows of lockers available for onsen hoppers. There are free locker service for your belonging but you will need to bring your towel. Else, you can get the towel at 300 yen.
We had our stamping on the wooden pass and ready for our first onsen hopping at Yamamizuki.
From the coffee shop, we followed the beautiful path which lead us to the entrance of the bathing area. While two of us are ladies, so sorry that we can’t comment on the men bath.
Difference entrance for hotel guests and day-tripper into bathing area in Yamamizuki. For the daytime access visitor, please enter via Morinoya (purple color).
The changing area are pretty clean and well-equipped. There are hairdryers, make-up mirrors with a proper seating area. Proper toilet available inside. Added, shampoo and conditional available at the shower area.
Compare with other day access onsen bath that we tried on, Yamamizuki’s changing room is the most well equipped and spacious.
Note: No photography allow beyond this point. Below onsen photo taken from Yamamizuki website.
Open-air Outdoor Onsen Bath
While the outdoor open-air bath is very spacious and located directly on the riverbank. Enjoy the natural hot spring water with birds chirping in the wood. What a fabulous bath!
There is also an indoor bath for the day-tripper. But we prefer outdoor the most. It was one of the best moments during our Kyushu trip. We dragged in Yamamizuki for more than one hour and truly enjoy our onsen bath. It is the best place to experience the hot spring in the natural surrounding. High recommended as one of the best picks into the onsen hopping in Kurokawa onsen.
Daytime Admission to Yamamizuki: 600 yen Overnight Stay: From 17,000 yen per person including 2 meals Check Hotel Rate: Booking.com | Agoda.com
Read on our wonderful stay in Ryokan Ikoi, a wonderful traditional old Japanese-style hotel with long wood corridor, ash-fireplace and hot spring bath with a thatched roof. A best stay in Kurokawa onsen.
For the first time to Kumamoto onsen, consider to stay one night in a traditional ryokan and experience the popular hot spring bath. There are a variety of ryokan up to to 24 ryokan to choose from. Each has its own unique and beautiful hot spring bath to try on. We spend one night in Ryokan Ikoi and truly enjoy our amazing stay here.
See how we enjoy our one night in Ikoi Ryokan.
Ryokan Ikoi
The traditional Japanese guest house, Ryokan Ikoi (いこい旅館) is an atmospheric old inn in a central location of Kurokawa onsen. It is a wooden three-story inn which established more than 50 years ago. The best place to stay in Kurokawa onsen if you love to experience the traditional Japanese stay.
We fall in love before stepped into the hotel. The entrance is beautifully decorated in a Zen garden feeling. Hot water gushing into round stone in the corner and you can get the onsen egg at 50 yen. Free footbath if you are not enough for the bathing.
Moreover, the courtyard featured with traditional ash-fireplace. This is one of the favorite places in Ikoi Ryokan. We sat around at the central fireplace during night time. Doing nothing but admiring the kettle hanging over it with open fire.
Once we stepped into the ryokan, we received a friendly welcome from the staff. The whole building is well maintained in a warm ambiance. While there were still early for the check-in time, we leave our luggage and went for the onsen hopping. In late afternoon, we backed to ryokan Ikoi and continue soaking into the hot spring.
The Ikoi Ryokan also welcome daytime admission with 500 yen or enter with onsen hopping pass. But there are less choice compare with in-house guest.
Onsen Bath in Ikoi Ryokan
For sure onsen lovers will enjoy their stay in Ikoi Ryokan. There are a total of 13 different types of hot spring baths at Ikoi Ryokan. Three baths were listed in Japan’s Best Onsen Ranking which is rotenburo, Takino-yu, and Bijin-yu.
Onsen Lover don’t miss it. The beauty bath (Bijin-yu) is good for ladies’ skin. I feel warmed and beautified (maybe) after soaking into the water.
We prefer for the standing bath (Tachi-yu) among all. It is also the most famous onsen bath in Ryokan Ikoi. As per the name called, the water level is up to the shoulder level and guest will need to stand while enjoying the bath. I enjoy my time holding and draping my arm onto the suspended floating bamboo poles.
There are also a few mix gender baths such as Taki-no (waterfall bath) and Utase-yu (Hot Spring Fall) and Boxy bath (Hako-yu). I am not a fan of mix bath so I skipped for this. Probably more suitable for men.
Besides, there are several private and family baths available with reservation required. We tried on the Oke-buro where you can soak into a barrel with gushing hot spring water. Darken wood barrel fitted perfectly my imagination on Japanese traditional onsen bath.
Non-in-house guests can also rent on it with 800 yen for one hour.
Delicious Kaiseki Meal
Don’t forget to include the meal course in your stay. The kaiseki meal in Ryokan Ikoi makes your stay even more special. We had dinner and a breakfast plan in Ryokan Ikoi.
Kaiseki dinner served was traditional Japanese food in multiple small dishes. The staff explained when serving the meal. The food quality was excellent and delicious.
While for the breakfast was served with seasonal local produce. We had grilled salmon, veggie and porridge for the great start of the day. A simple yet delicious meal.
Best Stay in Kurokawa Onsen
All in all, we had an amazing stay in Ryokan Ikoi. It is truly a traditional Japanese inn and beautiful in its simple way. Your stay is in wooden charming structure, narrow bamboo corridor, and hot spring bath with a thatched roof. We highly recommended Ikoi Ryokan if you are love for traditional settling. One of the best stay we had in Japan.
It is a popular ryokan in Kurokawa onsen and it took us some effort to book the room. We booked our room at Ryokan Ikoi from Agoda.com two months ago. Highly recommended to book early to avoid disappointment. (Check rate from Agoda.com)
