Kyushu Shinkansen
九州新幹線Shinkansen32 min
The Kyushu Shinkansen puts Kumamoto, the gateway to Aso and Amakusa, half an hour south of Hakata on a Mizuho. Oversized bags need a booked seat, just as on the Tokaido and Sanyo lines.
Road closure
Kumamoto is rebuilding after the 28 July 2026 earthquake, and most roads and lines are open
An M7.1 earthquake struck the Kumamoto region on 28 July 2026, and Uki and Yatsushiro took the worst of it. The Kyushu Shinkansen fully reopened on 18 September and JR's Kagoshima line between Uto and Yatsushiro on 10 October. The Minami-Kyushu Expressway stays closed between Yatsushiro JCT and Yatsushiro-minami IC while its bridges are repaired, and aftershocks continue. Aso and Amakusa are open to visitors, and their towns ask travellers to come.
Checked 2026-10-11 · bousai.go.jp
Services
| Service | Time | How often | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| MizuhoJR Kyushu, JR West | 32 min | – | Mizuho 601 ran Hakata to Kumamoto in 32 minutes in the 2026 timetable. |
| SakuraJR Kyushu, JR West | 38 min | – | Sakura 401 and 403 took 38 minutes from Hakata to Kumamoto with stops at Shin-Tosu and Kurume. |
| TsubameJR Kyushu | 48 min | – | Tsubame trains stop at every station and took 48 to 50 minutes to Kumamoto. |
Fares
- Hakata to Kumamoto, reserved seatThe same seat cost ¥6,040 on 16 October 2026.¥5,840 (2026), about CAD 52 or USD 37 (October 2026 rates)
JR Kyushu runs the line from Hakata to Kagoshima-Chuo. Mizuho 601 reached Kumamoto in 32 minutes in the 2026 timetable, and Sakura trains took 38 with stops at Shin-Tosu and Kurume. The all-stations Tsubame takes 48 to 50 minutes and fills the gaps between them.
JR Central's oversized-baggage page covers the Kyushu Shinkansen too. A bag over 160 cm in length, width and height combined needs a seat with an oversized-baggage area booked ahead, and anything over 250 cm stays off the train.
Worth knowing
- Take the quickest train going to Kumamoto, since the Mizuho cost the same as the all-stations Tsubame on 10 November 2026.
Quick answers about Kyushu Shinkansenよくある質問
How long does Kyushu Shinkansen take?
Mizuho takes about 32 min.
How much is Kyushu Shinkansen?
Hakata to Kumamoto, reserved seat on Kyushu Shinkansen costs ¥5,840 (2026), about CAD 52 or USD 37 (October 2026 rates).
Do you need to book Kyushu Shinkansen ahead?
Kyushu Shinkansen: Reservations open one month ahead.
Can you take a bike on Kyushu Shinkansen?
Yes. Kyushu Shinkansen carries bikes in a bike bag (rinko bag). Book a seat with an oversized-baggage area for anything from 160 cm.
Can you bring a ski or snowboard bag on Kyushu Shinkansen?
Yes. Kyushu Shinkansen carries ski and snowboard bags up to 250 cm, length, width and height added.
In the journal and guides
Read more about Kyushu Shinkansen特集
Guide · 7 min read
Can you take a bike on the Shinkansen?
Every Shinkansen takes a bike packed as rinko, wheels off and fully bagged, up to 250 cm and 30 kg. West of Tokyo you should book the seat with the space behind it, and north of Tokyo there is nothing to book.
Guide · 6 min read
How do you cycle Japan end to end, from Cape Soya to Cape Sata?
Japan's National Cycle Routes stop well short of joining the northern and southern capes, so riders link them with ordinary roads. Ride Hokkaido covers the island, this guide picks you up at Aomori, and the season decides the direction.