Kagoshima Airport to Kagoshima-Chuo Station: Easy Access Guide (Bus, Taxi and Train)

# From Kagoshima Airport to Kagoshima-Chuo Station: A Foolproof Access Guide

This guide details how to get from Kagoshima Airport to central Kagoshima City, focusing on Kagoshima-Chuo Station, the starting point for most sightseeing.

## Main Ways to Reach Kagoshima-Chuo Station

There are three main ways to travel from Kagoshima Airport to Kagoshima-Chuo Station.

### Airport Limousine Bus

This is the most common and popular way to travel. There are five boarding points outside the domestic terminal at Kagoshima Airport, sorted by destination. For example, the trip to Kagoshima-Chuo Station takes about 40 minutes and costs 1,500 yen (about $10). Reservations aren't accepted — buy a ticket from the vending machine, or simply tap a contactless credit card when boarding. More details below.

[Photo of the limousine bus]

### Taxi

Taxis are pricier, but convenient if you have a lot of luggage or want to go straight to your ryokan, hotel, or other destination. The taxi stand is at berth 5, just outside the domestic terminal exit at Kagoshima Airport. No reservation is needed, and you can usually hop in without waiting. Approximate travel times and fares to major destinations are listed below. Some taxis don't accept credit cards and take cash only, so be sure to bring cash just in case.

* Kagoshima-Chuo Station: about 35 minutes, approx. 13,200 yen + expressway toll

* Kirishima Jingu Shrine: about 35 minutes, approx. 8,350 yen

* Izumi Station: about 80 minutes, approx. 19,600 yen

* Kareigawa Station: about 10 minutes, approx. 1,000 yen

[Photo of the taxi stand and fare chart]

### Train

A little-known option is to take a bus (or taxi) from the airport to the nearby Kareigawa Station (嘉例川駅), then continue on to Kagoshima-Chuo Station by JR Kyushu train. Kareigawa Station is known as one of the oldest wooden station buildings in Kyushu and remains in use today. Another draw is the relatively low cost — about 1,000 yen (roughly $7) in total.

The downside is that trains through Kareigawa Station are infrequent, running only about once every one to two hours, so this route suits travelers with flexible schedules who want to enjoy a local atmosphere. Note that IC transit cards (such as Suica) cannot be used at Kareigawa Station, so cash is required. There is also no ticket machine at the station — instead, take a numbered ticket when boarding and pay the fare when you get off.

## Details: Getting to Kagoshima-Chuo Station by Bus

Limousine buses run frequently from Kagoshima Airport to various points around Kagoshima city. Here's a detailed look at how to reach Kagoshima-Chuo Station by bus from the airport.

### Bus Stop Location

The bus stops are located just outside the exit of Kagoshima Airport's domestic terminal building. There are five stops, numbered 6 through 10, each serving different destinations. Buses to Kagoshima-Chuo Station mainly depart from **Stop No. 8**. Follow the signage to find your way. Services are mainly operated by two companies: Kagoshima Kotsu and Nangoku Kotsu.

[Photo of the bus stop]

### How to Buy a Bus Ticket

Tickets can be purchased from the automatic ticket machines near the bus stop. Credit cards are accepted, but note that IC transit cards (such as Suica or PASMO) cannot be used. Recently, the airport bus to Kagoshima-Chuo Station has also started allowing boarding with contactless credit card payment, so you no longer need to buy a ticket in advance.

[Photo of the automatic ticket machine]

#### Fare

The fare is 1,500 yen (about $10) per adult. (Information current as of May 2025. Please check locally for the latest details.)

#### How to Buy a Ticket from the Automatic Ticket Machine

1. Select "Kagoshima City ¥1,500" shown at the top right of the ticket machine screen.

2. Insert cash (IC transit cards such as Suica or PASMO cannot be used).

3. Take the ticket that is issued.

[Automatic ticket machine screen]

### From Airport Arrival to Boarding the Bus

1. Deplane and head to the arrival lobby.

2. Head to the exit of the domestic terminal building.

3. As you exit, you'll see the bus stop straight ahead.

4. Look for "Bus Stop No. 8 (bound for Kagoshima City)."

5. Buy a ticket at the automatic ticket machine near the bus stop, or board using contactless credit card payment.

## Free Footbath at Kagoshima Airport

To refresh before or after your flight, we recommend the free natural hot spring footbath inside Kagoshima Airport. In fact, footbaths are a rare feature among Japanese airports, found only in the Kyushu region — specifically at Kagoshima Airport and Oita Airport. Kitakyushu Airport's observation deck also used to have one, but it has been closed since May 2025.

The footbath at Kagoshima Airport is located on the 1st floor of the domestic terminal building, next to Entrance/Exit No. 3, and anyone can use it for free. It's a hospitable touch unique to Kagoshima, Japan's "hot spring kingdom" — perfect for soothing travel fatigue or relaxing before departure.

Open daily from 9:00 AM to 7:30 PM (hours may vary seasonally).

[Photo of the foot bath]