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Kumamoto Castle main and small keeps on their stone walls, October 2022

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The complete guide, 2026–27

Things to do in Yatsushiro on a cruise port day

Kumamoto Castle, a taxi and a 15-minute Shinkansen from the ship.

Photo: Suicasmo / CC BY-SA 4.0

Checked · Researched, not yet visited · times from official timetables and our estimates · 21 sources · Takumi Yamada

What is here

What makes Yatsushiro: three reasons to get off

Yatsushiro is a port city in southern Kumamoto Prefecture, and Kumamon Port is its cruise terminal, named after the prefecture's bear mascot. The city that passengers come for is Kumamoto, 35 km north: a castle city with trams, a stroll garden and its own pork-bone ramen. Both cities were shaken by the earthquake of 28 July 2026; the main sights in Kumamoto have reopened.

Kumamoto CastlePhoto: Suicasmo / CC BY-SA 4.001 · The reason

Kumamoto Castle

Open again after the July 2026 earthquake (normal operation, its notice of 18 September), with the walls that fell in view from the elevated walkway.

Read moreSuizenji Jojuen garden, KumamotoPhoto: 663highland / CC BY 2.502 · Also

Suizenji Jojuen garden

A spring-fed stroll garden with a small Mount Fuji, undamaged by the 2026 quake.

Read moreKumamoto ramenPhoto: 水原奏空 / CC BY-SA 4.003 · Also

Kumamoto ramen and basashi

Kumamoto's own ramen, with fried garlic, and horse-meat sashimi, both served at or beside Kumamoto Station on the way back to the train.

Read more
Where you dock

Where your ship ties up in Yatsushiro

Tender or alongside
No. Ships tie up alongside the cruise-only quay at Kumamon Port Yatsushiro, 410 m long, for ships up to 220,000 GT.
At the terminal
A terminal building with customs and immigration, a 2.4 ha garden with Kumamon statues (partly reopened on 2 November 2026 after the earthquake), and covered bus and taxi stops for up to 120 taxis and cars. A currency-exchange machine was installed in 2024. Toilets, Wi-Fi, an ATM and a tourist desk are not listed on the port's pages.

Your berth in Google Maps

If this is your first Japanese port, everyone goes through face-to-face immigration at the terminal; allow 30 to 60 minutes after the ship clears. What happens at your first Japanese port

How the berths work, and the way into town, in full

Where the ship berths

Kumamon Port Yatsushiro is the prefecture's cruise berth, built with Royal Caribbean and opened in 2020. It sits on reclaimed land in the west of Yatsushiro port, at 1-25 Shinko-machi.

Kumamon Port Yatsushiro
QuayCruise-only, 410 m, −10 m; ships up to 220,000 GT; usable all year
TerminalAbout 3,500 m² floor area, with customs and immigration inside
GardenAbout 2.4 ha: Japanese garden, bamboo path, lawn, Kumamon statues
After the quakePartly reopened 2 Nov 2026: Big Kumamon and the zodiac Kumamon viewable, Kumamon Choir closed
ParkingUp to 150 coaches and 120 taxis or cars, with covered stops
On footNothing beyond the terminal grounds

The park's normal hours are 9:00–17:00, closed on Wednesdays, but on cruise days it opens to suit the ship. For a July 2026 call it opened at 6:00 for a 07:00 arrival.

A currency-exchange machine was installed in December 2024. Toilets, Wi-Fi, an ATM and a tourist desk are not listed on the port's or the prefecture's pages.

Getting to Kumamoto

There is one sensible route: a road leg to Shin-Yatsushiro, then the Kyushu Shinkansen. Taxi fares and drive times below are our estimates: drive distances from map routing, priced on the Kumamoto tariff of ¥700 for the first 1.3 km and ¥100 per 347 m, with no time charge and no tolls.

ToHowTimeCost
JR Shin-YatsushiroTaxi or ship's transfer, 12.5 kmabout 20 minabout ¥4,000
JR KumamotoKyushu Shinkansen from Shin-Yatsushiroabout 15 min¥1,630 unreserved
JR Kumamoto, slowerKagoshima Line local from Shin-Yatsushiroabout 40 min¥760
Kumamoto CastleTram to Kumamotojo/Shiyakusho-mae, then on foot10 + 10 min¥200
SuizenjiTram to Suizenji-koen, then on footnot published + 5 min¥200
JR YatsushiroTaxi, 9.6 kmabout 15 minabout ¥3,100
AEON YatsushiroTaxi, 6.8 kmabout 10 minabout ¥2,300
Kumamoto Station, all the wayTaxi, 43 km, via the expresswayabout 50 minabout ¥12,800 plus tolls

The national cruise-port page gives about 20 minutes by car to Shin-Yatsushiro, a little more than our routing.

No bus. The Super Banpeiyu bus was extended to Kumamon Port in March 2025. Since the earthquake its temporary timetable starts at Shin-Yatsushiro only. An on-demand bus to the port ran as a trial in 2024 and is not running.

Shuttles. For Star Navigator's call on 15 July 2026 the city ran a free loop: Kumamon Port, AEON Yatsushiro, Festival Dendenkan, Yume Town Yatsushiro and back. It did not go to the stations. Nothing is published for later calls, so check the ship's daily programme.

Taxis. Since October 2024, taxis from outside the Yatsushiro area may serve the port on cruise days, and queues were long on the first such day. Whether taxis wait at the port after the earthquake is not confirmed. If the ship sells a transfer to Shin-Yatsushiro, it removes that risk.

Trains. The Shinkansen runs again along the whole line from 18 September 2026, and the Kagoshima Line between Uto and Yatsushiro from 10 October. In August a slow section was in place near Shin-Yatsushiro; whether it has been lifted is not confirmed.

From the ship to each place: how, how long, how much
Train

Kumamoto by taxi and the Kyushu Shinkansen

  1. Taxi or the ship’s transfer from Kumamon Port to JR Shin-Yatsushiro Station: 12.5 km, about 20 min by car (the Tourism Agency’s port page)
  2. Kyushu Shinkansen, Shin-Yatsushiro → Kumamoto: about 15 min. Only some trains stop at Shin-Yatsushiro: after 10:00 about one an hour each way, and back from Kumamoto the afternoon trains leave at 12:40, 14:15, 14:40, 16:15 and 17:15, with 95-minute gaps (JR Kyushu timetable, Nov 2026–Feb 2027): pick your train back before you leave the station
  3. Back: Kumamoto → Shin-Yatsushiro by Shinkansen, then a taxi to the port. Allow about 1 h 15 min door to door, our estimate

Shinkansen ¥1,630 unreserved (fare ¥760 + express ¥870) · local train on the Kagoshima Line ¥760, about 40 min · taxi about ¥4,000 each way, our estimate · Shin-Yatsushiro → Kumamoto on Mon 22 Feb 2027: 08:24, 08:55, 09:25, 10:24, 11:27, 12:03, 13:03, 14:27, 15:28, 16:28; on Sat 26 Dec 2026 also 08:49, 09:37 and 13:50. Kumamoto → Shin-Yatsushiro on both days: 10:07, 11:17, 12:40, 14:15, 14:40, 16:15, 17:15; on 26 Dec also 11:39, 15:04 and 17:05 (JR Kyushu station timetables, checked 13 Nov 2026 for dates to Feb 2027; later months not yet published)

Taxi: ~¥4,000 to Shin-Yatsushiro

The Shinkansen runs again along the whole line from 18 Sep 2026, and the Kagoshima Line Uto–Yatsushiro from 10 Oct 2026, after the July earthquake. A slow section near Shin-Yatsushiro was in place in August; whether it is lifted is not confirmed. A taxi rank at Shin-Yatsushiro is the easy way back to the port.

Directions from your berth

Tram

Kumamoto Castle, Josaien and Suizenji by city tram

  1. Kumamoto-ekimae → Kumamotojo/Shiyakusho-mae, about 10 min; then about 10 min on foot to the castle, or the free shuttle from Josaien to the South Gate
  2. Suizenji-koen stop, then about 5 min on foot to the garden
  3. Kumamon Square: Suidocho stop

Flat fare adult ¥200, child ¥100 · pay when you get off · Frequent; ride time to Suizenji-koen not confirmed

Taxi: not needed

Trams run again from 29 Jul 2026. IC cards such as Suica and ICOCA and credit-card touch are accepted (secondary). The Shiromegurin loop bus runs from Kumamoto Station to Josaien in about 15 min.

Directions from your berth

Taxi

Taxi all the way to Kumamoto

  1. Kumamon Port → JR Kumamoto Station: 43.0 km, about 50 min without traffic; Kumamoto Castle (Josaien) 43.8 km, about 50 min; Suizenji 44.2 km, about 50 min — our estimates
  2. The fast route uses the Kyushu Expressway; tolls are extra and not confirmed
  3. Taxis from outside Yatsushiro may serve the port on cruise days (since Oct 2024); queues were long

Kumamoto tariff: ¥700 for the first 1.3 km, then ¥100 per 347 m · Kumamoto Station about ¥12,800, Josaien about ¥13,000 on distance alone, our estimates, plus tolls · Free-flow times; expect more in traffic and with the time charge

Taxi: ~¥12,800 to Kumamoto Station

Our estimates are OSRM drive distances with the distance tariff only. For four people the taxi to Shin-Yatsushiro plus the Shinkansen is cheaper and about as fast. Whether taxis wait at the port after the earthquake is not confirmed; ask at the terminal.

Directions from your berth

Bus

Yatsushiro town and the shopping loop

  1. For the 15 Jul 2026 call the city ran a free loop: Kumamon Port → AEON Yatsushiro → Festival Dendenkan → Yume Town Yatsushiro → Kumamon Port
  2. No loop is published for later calls; check the daily programme
  3. By taxi: AEON 6.8 km, Yume Town 6.1 km, about 10 min; JR Yatsushiro Station 9.6 km, about 15 min — our estimates

Loop free when it runs · taxi to JR Yatsushiro about ¥3,100, our estimate · No timetable published

Taxi: ~¥3,100 to JR Yatsushiro

Yatsushiro’s own sights are damaged or closed after the July 2026 earthquake: Yatsushiro-gu’s worship hall collapsed, Shohinken garden is closed and the city museum is shut except its café. The tourist information office in JR Yatsushiro Station has reopened.

Directions from your berth

What to do

The best of Yatsushiro, timed from your ship

Each card: how you get there and what it costs, how long it takes, and the call it needs. Tap one for the full page.

Kumamoto CastlePhoto: Suicasmo / CC BY-SA 4.01See

Kumamoto Castle

Taxi 12.5 km to Shin-Yatsushiro, about 20 min and ¥4,000 (our estimate), Shinkansen about 15 min to Kumamoto, ¥1,630, then the tram to Kumamotojo/Shiyakusho-mae, 10 min, ¥200, and about 10 min on foot. Taxi all the way about 44 km, about ¥13,000 before tolls, our estimate

About 5hNeeds a 7-hour callSuizenji Jojuen garden, KumamotoPhoto: 663highland / CC BY 2.52See

Suizenji Jojuen garden

Taxi 12.5 km to Shin-Yatsushiro, about 20 min and ¥4,000 (our estimate), Shinkansen about 15 min to Kumamoto, ¥1,630, then the tram to Suizenji-koen and about 5 min on foot

About 5hNeeds a 7-hour callSakuranobaba Josaien and the samurai troupe, KumamotoPhoto: Jdjuice / CC BY-SA 4.03See

Sakuranobaba Josaien and the samurai troupe

Below the castle: the same route as the castle, or the Shiromegurin loop bus from Kumamoto Station, about 15 min

About 5hNeeds a 7-hour callKumamoto ramenPhoto: 水原奏空 / CC BY-SA 4.04Eat

Kumamoto ramen

Taxi 12.5 km to Shin-Yatsushiro, about 20 min and ¥4,000 (our estimate), Shinkansen about 15 min to Kumamoto, ¥1,630; Keika is inside the station, Kokutei about 5 min on foot

About 4hNeeds a 6-hour callBasashi, horse-meat sashimi, KumamotoPhoto: pelican from Tokyo, Japan / CC BY-SA 2.05Eat

Basashi, horse-meat sashimi

Taxi 12.5 km to Shin-Yatsushiro, about 20 min and ¥4,000 (our estimate), Shinkansen about 15 min to Kumamoto, ¥1,630; the shop is inside Kumamoto Station

About 4hNeeds a 6-hour callThe Kumamoto city tramPhoto: Glen Zi 加侖子 / Pexels6See

The Kumamoto city tram

Taxi 12.5 km to Shin-Yatsushiro, about 20 min and ¥4,000 (our estimate), Shinkansen about 15 min to Kumamoto, ¥1,630; trams leave from Kumamoto-ekimae, in front of the station

About 4hNeeds a 6-hour callKumamoto Station: Amu Plaza and Higo Yokamon IchibaPhoto: Nryate / CC BY-SA 4.07Shop

Kumamoto Station: Amu Plaza and Higo Yokamon Ichiba

Taxi 12.5 km to Shin-Yatsushiro, about 20 min and ¥4,000 (our estimate), Shinkansen about 15 min to Kumamoto, ¥1,630; no tram needed

About 3.5hNeeds a 5.5-hour callKumamon Port and its park, YatsushiroPhoto: Sanjo / CC BY-SA 4.08See

Kumamon Port and its park

A short walk from the gangway: the park surrounds the terminal

About 1hNeeds a 3-hour callKumamoto City MuseumPhoto: Saigen Jiro / CC010See

Kumamoto City Museum

Taxi 12.5 km to Shin-Yatsushiro, about 20 min and ¥4,000 (our estimate), Shinkansen about 15 min to Kumamoto, ¥1,630, then the tram to Sugidomo (Kami-Kumamoto line, from Kumamotojo/Shiyakusho-mae, not from the station) and about 5 min on foot

About 5hNeeds a 7-hour call

Swipe for more. The top ten as a list

  • 9. Kumamon Square

    Taxi 12.5 km to Shin-Yatsushiro, about 20 min and ¥4,000 (our estimate), Shinkansen about 15 min to Kumamoto, ¥1,630, then the tram to Suidocho · About 5h · Needs a 7-hour call

The dark pin is your ship. Tap a pin for its page.

Your day, hour by hour

One day in Yatsushiro, timed from the gangway

Pick the tab for the hours your ship gives you. Every day keeps the hour before all-aboard free; shift each time by your arrival.

Kumamoto CastleKumamoto CastlePhoto: Suicasmo / CC BY-SA 4.0

Castle, Kumamon Square and Suizenji: a 07:00–19:00 Saturday

Fits a 07:00–19:00 call at Kumamon Port, all-aboard assumed at 18:30 (check the daily programme). Train times are for a Saturday; on a Monday, see the note.

Off at 07:30, the castle as it opens, Kumamon Square, ramen, the garden, and the 16:15 Shinkansen back. Train times are from JR Kyushu’s station timetable for a Saturday.

  1. 07:30Off the ship. Taxi or the ship's transfer to JR Shin-Yatsushiro, 12.5 km, about 20 minutes and about ¥4,000. Whether taxis wait at the port is not confirmed: ask at the terminal.
  2. 08:24Shinkansen Sakura 744 to Kumamoto, arriving 08:38, ¥1,630 unreserved. The 08:06 local arrives 08:42 for ¥760.
  3. 08:45Tram from Kumamoto-ekimae to Kumamotojo/Shiyakusho-mae, about 10 minutes, ¥200, then about 10 minutes on foot.
  4. 09:05Kumamoto Castle (9:00–17:00, ¥800). On a Saturday either gate is open. Allow 90 minutes, with the walkway past the fallen walls.
  5. 10:40Sakuranobaba Josaien, below the castle: the samurai troupe gives talks and photos 11:00–12:00.
  6. 11:15Tram to Suidocho for Kumamon Square, 10:00–19:00. Check Kumamon's stage times on the square's schedule for your date.
  7. 12:05Ramen at Komurasaki, 8-16 Kamitori-machi, in the Kamitori arcade (11:00–16:00).
  8. 13:00Tram to Suizenji-koen and 5 minutes on foot to Suizenji Jojuen (8:30–17:00, ¥500). The ride time is not published; allow 25 minutes.
  9. 14:35Tram back to Kumamoto-ekimae; allow 35 minutes. Ikinari dango at Chojuan in the station (9:00–20:00).
  10. 16:15Shinkansen Sakura 407 to Shin-Yatsushiro, arriving 16:28. The 15:04 is the earlier train; the 15:57 local, arriving 16:32, is the fallback.
  11. 16:35Taxi to the port. At the gangway about 17:00, well before the assumed 18:30 all-aboard. In late December the sun sets at about 17:20.
Kumamoto CastleKumamoto CastlePhoto: Suicasmo / CC BY-SA 4.0

Castle, ramen and the station: an 08:00–18:00 weekday

Fits an 08:00–18:00 weekday call at Kumamon Port, all-aboard assumed at 17:30. Timed for a Monday, when the castle uses the South Gate only and two museums are closed.

On a Monday the castle uses the South Gate only, and the Kumamoto City Museum and the Prefectural Museum of Art are closed. Late February is plum season in Kumamoto (JMA normal: 3 February). Train times are from JR Kyushu's station timetable for a Monday in February 2027.

  1. 08:30Off the ship. Taxi or transfer to Shin-Yatsushiro, about 20 minutes.
  2. 09:25Shinkansen Sakura 746 to Kumamoto, arriving 09:38, ¥1,630 (the 08:55 if you reach the station in time). After 10:00 there is about one train an hour.
  3. 09:40Tram to Kumamotojo/Shiyakusho-mae (10 minutes, ¥200) and walk to the South Gate, or ride the free shuttle from Josaien.
  4. 10:00Kumamoto Castle (9:00–17:00, ¥800), about 90 minutes.
  5. 11:35Sakuranobaba Josaien: the samurai troupe 11:00–12:00, and the food street Sakuranokoji.
  6. 12:20Tram to Kumamoto-ekimae. Basashi at Suganoya in the station (lunch to 15:00, last order 14:30) or ramen at Keika.
  7. 13:45Higo Yokamon Ichiba and Amu Plaza in the station, close to the platforms: the Shinkansen back leave Kumamoto at 12:40, 14:15 and 14:40, then not until 16:15.
  8. 14:40Shinkansen Sakura 753 to Shin-Yatsushiro, arriving 14:53, then a taxi to the port. Miss it and the 14:54 local arrives at 15:28; the next Shinkansen is the 16:15.
  9. 15:15At the gangway about 15:15, or about 15:50 on the local, before the assumed 17:30 all-aboard. In late February the sun sets at about 18:10.
Kumamoto CastleKumamoto CastlePhoto: Suicasmo / CC BY-SA 4.0

The castle keep, the city museum and the station

A wet Saturday: the keep and the museum are indoors, and the station has lunch and shops under one roof. The City Museum closes on Mondays. About 7h ashore; taxi about ¥4,000 each way (our estimate), Shinkansen ¥1,630 each way, tram ¥200 a ride. Castle ¥800, City Museum ¥400. Times count from when you step off the ship.

  1. +0:00Taxi or transfer to Shin-Yatsushiro (about 20 min)
  2. +0:30Shinkansen to Kumamoto, about 15 min, ¥1,630
  3. +0:50Tram to Kumamotojo/Shiyakusho-mae and walk in. The castle may close in bad weather: check its site before you go
  4. +1:15Kumamoto Castle keep (about 1 h). 9:00–17:00, adult ¥800
  5. +2:20Kumamoto City Museum, the Kami-Kumamoto line tram from Kumamotojo/Shiyakusho-mae to Sugidomo, then 5 min on foot. 9:00–17:00, last entry 16:30, ¥400; closed Mondays
  6. +3:40Tram back to Kumamoto-ekimae
  7. +4:10Lunch at the station: basashi at Suganoya (lunch to 15:00, last order 14:30) or ramen at Keika. Then Higo Yokamon Ichiba and Amu Plaza
  8. +6:00Shinkansen to Shin-Yatsushiro and a taxi to the port
  9. +6:45Back at the gangway

Open this day in Google Maps, in 4 parts

  1. 1Your ship → Kumamoto Castletrain or bus
  2. 2Kumamoto Castle → Kumamoto City Museumon foot
  3. 3Kumamoto City Museum → JR Kumamoto Stationtrain or bus
  4. 4JR Kumamoto Station → Back to the shiptrain or bus

The rainy-day route in full

Sailing on a named ship? Your ship's page for Yatsushiro sets these times to your exact call.

Or put your own day together

Tick the places in the order you want them. The map numbers them and draws the way from your ship and back; the buttons open the same route in Google Maps, in parts a phone can draw.

Your berth in Google MapsNo stops ticked yet.

Open the course builder as its own page →

Guide or on your own

Yatsushiro is a day you can do on your own

There is no bookable tour for Yatsushiro in our catalogue. The days above are the plan: public transport, timed from the gangway.

Before you go

Cash, Wi-Fi, toilets, steps: the practical answers

Cash, cards, ATM
An ATM at the port is not confirmed: carry yen. Kumamoto Castle takes cards, IC cards and QR payment. The city tram takes IC cards and contactless cards.
Wi-Fi and SIM
No port Wi-Fi is published. Buy an eSIM before sailing.
Toilets
Not listed on the port's pages. Use the ship's before you leave.
Luggage
Nothing is published at the port. Kumamoto Station has shops and restaurants under one roof.
Steps and slopes
Nothing at the port needs walking. In Kumamoto the tram stop is about 10 minutes on foot from the castle; on weekdays the castle uses the South Gate only, and a free shuttle runs there from Josaien every 10–15 minutes.
English
Yatsushiro's tourist information office in JR Yatsushiro Station has reopened. In Kumamoto, the tourist information centre is at Josaien, below the castle.
Pharmacy, hospital
No clinic is published at the port. Ask the ship's medical centre first. In Japan dial 119 for an ambulance.
With children
Kumamoto Castle is ¥300 for ages 7–15, Suizenji ¥200 for children, the tram ¥100. Kumamon Square in central Kumamoto has the mascot on stage on some days.

Three things to eat in Yatsushiro, and where

DishWhere, price, hours
Kumamoto ramen, pork-bone broth with fried-garlic oilThe pick Kokutei Honten, 2-1-23 Nihongi, about 5 minutes on foot from JR Kumamoto Station; or Keika inside the stationKokutei 10:30–21:00, no regular closing day; Keika 11:00–22:00Komurasaki in the Kamitori arcade serves 11:00–16:00 and 18:00–22:00.Our page
Basashi, horse-meat sashimiThe pick Suganoya Kumamoto Station shop, Higo Yokamon IchibaFive-kind platter ¥2,590; lunch set ¥2,980 · Lunch 11:00–15:00 (last order 14:30); no closing daysWalk-in only on the day and at weekends.Our page
Ikinari dango, sweet potato and red-bean paste in rice-flour doughThe pick Chojuan, Higo Yokamon Ichiba 1F, Kumamoto Station9:00–20:00Price not confirmed.

Mistakes to avoid

  1. Planning to walk out of the port. There is nothing in walking distance. The nearest shops are 6.8 km away and Shin-Yatsushiro Station 12.5 km. Book the ship's transfer or plan on a taxi.
  2. Counting on the Super Banpeiyu bus. It stopped serving Kumamon Port after the July 2026 earthquake and now starts at Shin-Yatsushiro.
  3. Planning Yatsushiro's own sights. Yatsushiro-gu's worship hall collapsed in the quake, Shohinken garden is closed and the city museum has only its café open. Go to Kumamoto.
  4. Using the North Gate at Kumamoto Castle on a weekday. On weekdays entry and exit are by the South Gate only. The free shuttle from Josaien stops there.
  5. Taking a taxi all the way to Kumamoto. It is about 44 km and about ¥13,000 before tolls, and no faster than a taxi to Shin-Yatsushiro and the 15-minute Shinkansen.

Yatsushiro cruise port questions

Where do cruise ships dock in Yatsushiro?

At Kumamon Port Yatsushiro (くまモンポート八代), 1-25 Shinko-machi, a cruise-only quay 410 m long for ships up to 220,000 GT, with a terminal holding customs and immigration. Every call on the port's 2026 list uses it.

Can I walk anywhere from Kumamon Port?

Only around the terminal's garden and Kumamon statues. AEON Yatsushiro, the nearest shops, is 6.8 km by road and Shin-Yatsushiro Station 12.5 km.

How do I get from the cruise port to Kumamoto Castle?

Taxi or the ship's transfer to Shin-Yatsushiro (about 20 minutes, about ¥4,000), the Shinkansen to Kumamoto (about 15 minutes, ¥1,630), the tram to Kumamotojo/Shiyakusho-mae (10 minutes, ¥200) and about 10 minutes on foot. About 1 hour 15 minutes each way.

Is there a shuttle bus at Kumamon Port?

None is published for later calls. For a July 2026 call the city ran a free loop to AEON Yatsushiro, Festival Dendenkan and Yume Town Yatsushiro, not to the stations. Check the ship's daily programme.

How much is a taxi from Kumamon Port?

On the Kumamoto tariff (¥700 for the first 1.3 km, then ¥100 per 347 m), estimates on distance alone are about ¥4,000 to Shin-Yatsushiro, about ¥3,100 to JR Yatsushiro and about ¥12,800 to Kumamoto Station plus tolls.

Is Kumamoto open after the July 2026 earthquake?

The main sights are. Kumamoto Castle has reopened (normal operation, its notice of 18 September 2026), Suizenji on 30 July, the trams on 29 July; the Shinkansen runs along the whole line from 18 September and the Kagoshima Line to Yatsushiro from 10 October. Josaien's Wakuwakuza museum is closed.

Which cruise ships call at Yatsushiro?

The port's 2026 list includes Spectrum of the Seas, Star Navigator, Eastern Venus, Costa Serena, Coral Princess and Japanese ships. Royal Caribbean lists Navigator of the Seas for 22 February 2027; the port has published no 2027 list yet. The schedule table on this page comes from the port's list.

What should I eat in Kumamoto?

Kumamoto ramen at Kokutei (10:30–21:00) or Keika in the station (11:00–22:00); basashi at Suganoya in the station (lunch 11:00–15:00); ikinari dango at Chojuan in the station (9:00–20:00).

Is Kumamoto Castle open on a Monday?

Yes. It is closed only on 29 December and may close in bad weather. On weekdays, Monday included, entry and exit are by the South Gate only.

Can I see anything in Yatsushiro itself?

Not much after the July 2026 earthquake. Yatsushiro-gu's worship hall collapsed, Shohinken garden is closed and the Yatsushiro City Museum has only its café open. The tourist information office in JR Yatsushiro Station has reopened.

Do IC cards and credit cards work?

Suica and other IC cards work on JR and the Kumamoto tram, and the tram also takes contactless cards. Kumamoto Castle accepts cards, IC cards and QR payment. Carry yen for taxis and small shops; no ATM at the port is confirmed.

How does tax-free shopping work from November 2026?

Since 1 November 2026 you pay the full price in the shop. At departure, customs checks the goods and the tax is refunded.

Read on

Yatsushiro in depth: the places, the history, the myths

1,042 words · 8 chapters

The earthquake of July 2026: what is open

The earthquake of 28 July 2026 was strongest in Uki and Hikawa, between Kumamoto and Yatsushiro, and both cities were shaken hard. This table was checked against each place's own notices in early November 2026.

PlaceStatus
Kumamoto CastleOpen again, normal operation (castle notice, 18 Sep 2026)
Sakuranobaba JosaienFood street and tourist information open; Wakuwakuza museum closed
Suizenji JojuenOpen since 30 Jul 2026; no damage found
Kumamoto City MuseumOpen; closed Mondays
Prefectural Museum of ArtOpen from 5 Aug 2026; closed Mondays and 25–31 Dec
Kumamoto city tramsRunning since 29 Jul 2026
Kyushu ShinkansenWhole line since 18 Sep 2026
Kumamon Port gardenPartly open since 2 Nov 2026
Yatsushiro-gu and the castle ruinsWorship hall collapsed; walls fell; access not confirmed
Shohinken gardenDamaged; closed, reopening not announced
Yatsushiro City MuseumClosed; café open from 1 Oct 2026

A short call: Kumamon Port and Yatsushiro

On a call of under six hours, Kumamoto is too far. The terminal garden is the one thing on foot: a Japanese garden, a bamboo path and Kumamon statues, including the Big Kumamon and the twelve zodiac Kumamon. Since 2 November 2026 those can be seen again, while the Kumamon Choir area and some lawns stay fenced.

Yatsushiro itself is a poor substitute this season. Its best-known sights are the Yatsushiro-gu shrine on the castle ruins, the Shohinken garden and the city museum beside them, and all three are damaged or closed after the quake. Festival Dendenkan, the free museum of the Myoken festival, closes on Mondays; its current hours are not confirmed.

If the ship lists a free shopping loop, it goes to AEON Yatsushiro, Festival Dendenkan and Yume Town Yatsushiro. Yatsushiro's specialities are banpeiyu, a giant citrus, chikuwa fish cakes, tomatoes and igusa, the rush used for tatami. The tourist office in JR Yatsushiro Station has reopened.

Kumamoto Castle, Josaien and Suizenji

Kumamoto Castle is open 9:00–17:00 from September to June, last entry 16:00, and closes on 29 December. Adults pay ¥800, ages 7–15 ¥300. On weekdays you enter and leave by the South Gate only; at weekends either gate. No major damage was found in the keep or on the elevated walkway after the quake. Stone walls collapsed in about 40 places, and the walkway passes them. See the Kumamoto Castle guide.

Sakuranobaba Josaien is the food and souvenir street below the castle, with the tourist information centre. The samurai troupe gives talks and photos 11:00–12:00 and 14:30–15:30. A free shuttle runs from here to the South Gate every 10–15 minutes.

Suizenji Jojuen is a stroll garden around a spring-fed pond, with a mound shaped like Mount Fuji. It opens 8:30–17:00, last entry 16:30, every day; adults ¥500. It is about 5 minutes on foot from Suizenji-koen tram stop.

Kumamon Square, Kumamon's own shop and stage, is by Suidocho tram stop, 10:00–19:00. On Saturday 26 December 2026 he appears 11:30–12:00 and 16:30–17:00.

What to eat, and where

DishWhereHours
Kumamoto ramenKokutei Honten, 5 min on foot from JR Kumamoto10:30–21:00, no regular closing day
Kumamoto ramenKeika, inside Kumamoto Station11:00–22:00
Kumamoto ramenKomurasaki, Kamitori arcade11:00–16:00, 18:00–22:00
BasashiSuganoya, inside Kumamoto Stationlunch 11:00–15:00, no closing days
Ikinari dangoChojuan, Higo Yokamon Ichiba 1F9:00–20:00

Kumamoto ramen is a pork-bone broth with fried-garlic oil. Basashi is horse-meat sashimi; Suganoya's five-kind platter is ¥2,590. The station's Higo Yokamon Ichiba runs shops 9:00–20:00 and restaurants 11:00–23:00, so it is the safe place to eat before the train back.

The best things to do on a port day

The full list, with the time each takes from the berth, is on the Yatsushiro top 10.

  1. Kumamoto Castle: open again after the July 2026 earthquake, ¥800, last entry 16:00.
  2. Suizenji Jojuen: the stroll garden, ¥500, last entry 16:30.
  3. Sakuranobaba Josaien: the food street below the castle.
  4. Kumamoto ramen at Kokutei or Keika, by the station.
  5. Basashi at Suganoya, inside the station.
  6. The city tram: ¥200 a ride, castle to Suizenji.
  7. Kumamoto Station: Amu Plaza and Higo Yokamon Ichiba for souvenirs.
  8. Kumamon Port's garden and the Big Kumamon, on foot from the ship.

For timed plans by call length see Yatsushiro plans.

How to think about your hours

All-aboard is usually 30 minutes before departure, and you want to be at the gangway an hour before that. The journey to the castle is about 1 hour 15 minutes each way.

CallWhat fits
Under 6 hoursKumamon Port's garden and statues, or a shopping loop if the ship lists one
6–8 hoursKumamoto Castle, and ramen or basashi at the station
9 hours or moreCastle, Josaien, Suizenji and the station, as in the model days

The calls on the port's 2026 list ran from six to twelve hours, most from 07:00 or 08:00 to between 16:00 and 18:00. The schedule table on the port page comes from the port's own list, which is a list of calls the lines have asked for (入港希望情報); the port has not said how it will receive ships after the July earthquake, so check with your line.

The port has not published a 2027 list. Navigator of the Seas has a call on Monday 22 February 2027, 08:00–18:00 in Royal Caribbean's itinerary, and Nagasaki's list names Yatsushiro as the ship's next port. Princess lists Diamond Princess on 29 March and Sapphire Princess on 3 April 2027, and Mitsui Ocean Cruises lists Mitsui Ocean Sakura on 2 July 2027, 08:30–16:30. None of those is on the port's list yet, so check with your line.

Money, weather and practical points

Money. No ATM at the port is confirmed: bring yen for the taxi. The castle takes cards, IC cards and QR payment; the tram takes IC cards and contactless cards.

Weather. JMA's 1991–2020 normals for Kumamoto: December highs about 13 °C and lows about 3 °C, with about 7 days of rain a month; February highs about 12 °C and lows about 3 °C. Sunset is 17:18 on 26 December 2026 and 18:08 on 22 February 2027.

Tours. No bookable tours are listed for this port on this site yet. Ask the ship about transfers to Shin-Yatsushiro or Kumamoto.

What other guides get wrong about Yatsushiro

You may readWhat the official source saysSource
A bus runs from Kumamon Port to Shin-Yatsushiro Station.The Super Banpeiyu bus was extended to the port in 2025, but its temporary timetable from 18 September 2026 says it currently runs from and to Shin-Yatsushiro Station only.Kamizono Kotsu — Super Banpeiyu temporary timetable notice
Kumamoto Castle is closed after the 2026 earthquake.It closed after the earthquake of 28 July 2026 and has reopened; the castle's notice of 18 September 2026 lists normal operation.Kumamoto Castle — status notice
The 21 sources behind this guide
The 10 photographs on this page

Takumi Yamada

Editor, Port of Japan · Tokyo, Japan

Researched from official timetables, operators and the port authority, with our estimates where none is published. Every time and fare in this guide was checked against the sources listed above on 13 November 2026; where we had to estimate (a walk, a taxi in traffic), the text says so. Timetables change — if you find one that has, tell us and we will fix it.

Keep planning: the Yatsushiro port page · timed plans by call length · ships calling in 2026–27