Kagoshima Airport to Kagoshima-Chuo Station: Easy Access Guide (Bus, Taxi and Train)
15 May 2025
This guide provides detailed information on how to get from Kagoshima Airport to Kagoshima City, particularly to Kagoshima-Chuo Station, a convenient starting point for sightseeing.
Main Ways to Reach Kagoshima-Chuo Station
There are three main ways to travel from Kagoshima Airport to Kagoshima-Chuo Station:
Airport Bus
This is the most common and popular way to travel. There are five bus stops outside the domestic terminal at Kagoshima Airport, each serving different destinations. For example, the journey to Kagoshima-Chuo Station takes about 40 minutes and costs ¥1,500 (approximately £8-£9). You cannot book tickets in advance; you'll need to buy a ticket from a ticket machine or pay by contactless credit card when boarding. More details on this later.
Airport Taxi
Whilst more expensive, a taxi is a convenient option if you have a lot of luggage or want to go directly to your ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) or hotel. The taxi is at stop number 5, just outside the domestic terminal exit at Kagoshima Airport. You don't need to book in advance, and usually, there are plenty of taxis available, so you can get one smoothly. Approximate journey times and fares to major destinations are as follows. Please remember to have cash японских иен (Japanese Yen) handy, as some taxis may not accept credit cards.
Kagoshima-Chuo Station: Approx. 35 minutes, fare around ¥13,200 + motorway toll
Kirishima Jingu Shrine: Approx. 35 minutes, fare around ¥8,350
Izumi Station: Approx. 80 minutes, fare around ¥19,600
Kareigawa Station: Approx. 10 minutes, fare around ¥1,000
Train
Although not widely advertised, another recommended option is to take a bus (or taxi) from the airport to the nearest station, Kareigawa Station (嘉例川駅), and then take a JR Kyushu train to Kagoshima-Chuo Station. Kareigawa Station is known as one of the oldest wooden station buildings in Kyushu and is still in use today. The total travel cost is relatively inexpensive, around ¥1,000 (approximately £5-£6).
However, a drawback is that trains serving Kareigawa Station are infrequent, running only about once every one to two hours. This option is best suited for those with plenty of time who want to enjoy a local, rural atmosphere. Please note that IC travel cards (like Suica or PASMO, which are common in Japan) cannot be used at Kareigawa Station, so you will need cash. Also, there is no ticket machine at Kareigawa Station. Instead, you take a numbered ticket (called a seiri-ken) when you board the train and pay your fare when you get off. This seiri-ken helps to calculate your fare based on how far you've travelled.
How to take the airport bus to Kagoshima-Chuo Station
Buses run frequently from Kagoshima Airport to various parts of Kagoshima City. Here's a detailed guide on how to take the bus from the airport to Kagoshima-Chuo Station.
Finding the Bus Stop
The bus stops are located immediately outside the exit of the Kagoshima Airport Domestic Terminal Building. There are five bus stops, numbered 6 to 10, for different destinations. Buses bound for Kagoshima-Chuo Station primarily depart from stop number ⑧. Look for the signs indicating "鹿児島市内行き" (Kagoshima Shinai-iki - meaning "Bound for Kagoshima City Centre"). The services are mainly operated by two companies: Kagoshima Kotsu and Nangoku Kotsu.
Purchasing Your Bus Ticket
You can buy bus tickets from the automatic ticket machines located near the bus stops. Payment by credit card is possible at these machines. However, please note that IC travel cards commonly used in other parts of Japan, such as Suica or PASMO, cannot be used for purchasing tickets at the machine for this bus. Recently, it has also become possible to board the airport bus to Kagoshima-Chuo Station by simply tapping a contactless credit card upon boarding, without buying a paper ticket.
The adult fare is ¥1,500 (approximately £8-£9). (Information correct as of May 2025. Please check for the latest information locally.)
How to Buy a Ticket from the Ticket Machine
On the ticket machine screen, select "Kagoshima City ¥1,500" (usually displayed in the upper right).
Insert cash (Japanese Yen). (Note: IC travel cards like Suica or PASMO cannot be used here).
Collect your ticket when it's issued.
Journey Flow: From Airport Arrival to Bus Boarding
After disembarking from your flight, proceed to the arrivals lobby.
Head towards the exit of the Domestic Terminal Building.
Once you exit the building, you will see the bus stops directly in front of you.
Look for stop number ⑧ (for buses going towards Kagoshima City / "鹿児島市内行き").
Either purchase your ticket from a ticket machine near the bus stop or prepare your contactless credit card for payment on board.
Relax at Kagoshima Airport's Free Foot Bath!
For a refreshing break before or after your flight, why not try the free natural hot spring foot bath (known as an “足湯” (ashiyu)) located within Kagoshima Airport? In fact, airports in Japan where you can enjoy a foot bath are only found in the Kyushu region – at Kagoshima Airport and Oita Airport. (Kitakyushu Airport also had a foot bath on its observation deck, but as of May 2025, it is temporarily closed.)
The foot bath at Kagoshima Airport is located on the 1st floor of the Domestic Terminal Building, next to Exit No. 3, and is free for anyone to use. It's a wonderful example of Kagoshima's hospitality, a region famous for its hot springs (*温泉*). It's a perfect way to soothe tired feet after a journey or to relax before your departure.
Opening hours are from 9:00 to 19:30 (these may vary depending on the season).
