PORT OF JAPAN
Kumamoto Castle’s black-and-white main keep and small keep on their curved stone walls

Home / Ports / Yatsushiro / Plan your day

Plan your day · Yatsushiro

How long are you ashore in Yatsushiro?

Pick your hours and get a finished day, every step timed from the gangway and back.

Photo: Suicasmo / CC BY-SA 4.0
Build it yourself ↓
Finished days

Your day in Yatsushiro, hour by hour

Pick the one that fits your call. Times count from the moment you step off, and every plan is back on board an hour before all-aboard.

Kumamon Port and its park, Yatsushiro
Photo: Sanjo / CC BY-SA 4.0
For a 3-hour call or longer · 1 hr door to door

Kumamon Port on foot: the garden and the Kumamon statues

Anyone staying near the ship; the only on-foot option at this berth

Fits a 3-hour stop with nothing to add (off the ship 30 minutes after arrival, back at the gangway an hour before all-aboard). A longer call gives you the extra time; on this one, do not add a stop.

  1. +0:00
    Off the ship into the terminal

    Customs and immigration are in the building. Look for a currency-exchange machine (installed 2024)

  2. +0:10
    The Big Kumamon and the twelve zodiac Kumamon

    Viewable again from 2 Nov 2026; the Kumamon Choir area and some lawns are still closed after the July earthquake

  3. +0:30
    Japanese garden and bamboo path, where open

    Fenced sections are marked; follow the signs

  4. +1:00
    Back at the gangway

    If the daily programme lists a free shopping loop (as for a July 2026 call: AEON Yatsushiro, Festival Dendenkan, Yume Town), it is the only other short trip

Running late? Want more than the park? A taxi to AEON Yatsushiro is 6.8 km, about 10 min and about ¥2,300 each way, our estimate. Whether taxis wait at the port after the earthquake is not confirmed: ask at the terminal before you go.

Transport spend: ¥0. Nothing else is in walking distance. Full route, map and photos

The Kumamoto city tram
Photo: Glen Zi 加侖子 / Pexels
For a 7.5-hour call or longer · 5 hr 30 min door to door

Kumamoto Castle and ramen by the station

Calls of eight hours or more that want the castle and nothing else

Fits a 7.5-hour stop with nothing to add (off the ship 30 minutes after arrival, back at the gangway an hour before all-aboard). A longer call gives you the extra time; on this one, do not add a stop.

Kumamoto Castle
Kumamoto CastlePhoto: Suicasmo / CC BY-SA 4.0
Kumamoto ramen
Kumamoto ramenPhoto: 水原奏空 / CC BY-SA 4.0
Kumamon Port and its park, Yatsushiro
Back at the gangwayPhoto: Sanjo / CC BY-SA 4.0
  1. +0:00
    Taxi or the ship’s transfer to JR Shin-Yatsushiro (12.5 km, about 20 min, about ¥4,000, our estimate)

    No public bus reaches the port since the earthquake

  2. +0:30
    Kyushu Shinkansen to Kumamoto, about 15 min, ¥1,630 unreserved

    After 10:00 about one train an hour. Back from Kumamoto the trains that stop at Shin-Yatsushiro leave at 12:40, 14:15, 14:40, 16:15 and 17:15, so the afternoon gaps are 95 minutes (JR Kyushu timetable, Nov 2026–Feb 2027): pick your train back now

  3. +0:50
    Tram from Kumamoto-ekimae to Kumamotojo/Shiyakusho-mae (about 10 min, ¥200), then about 10 min on foot

    On weekdays the castle uses the South Gate only

  4. +1:15
    Kumamoto Castle (about 1 h 30 min)

    9:00–17:00, last entry 16:00, adult ¥800. The collapsed walls of 2026 are seen from the elevated walkway

  5. +2:45
    Tram back to Kumamoto-ekimae

    Or lunch first at Sakuranokoji, Josaien’s food street (restaurants 11:00–18:00)

  6. +3:15
    Kumamoto ramen: Keika inside the station (11:00–22:00) or Kokutei, 5 min on foot (10:30–21:00)

    Ikinari dango for later at Chojuan, Higo Yokamon Ichiba, 9:00–20:00

  7. +4:30
    Shinkansen to Shin-Yatsushiro, about 15 min, on the train you picked

    The local train takes about 35 min for ¥760

  8. +5:00
    Taxi to Kumamon Port (about 20 min)

    Take the taxi rank at Shin-Yatsushiro

  9. +5:30
    Back at the gangway

Running late? A taxi from Kumamoto all the way to the port is about 43 km and about ¥12,800 plus tolls, our estimate, about 50 minutes without traffic; the Shinkansen and a taxi is cheaper and no slower.

Transport spend: taxi about ¥4,000 each way to Shin-Yatsushiro (our estimate), Shinkansen ¥1,630 each way, tram ¥200 each way. Castle ¥800. Full route, map and photos

Kumamoto Castle
Photo: Suicasmo / CC BY-SA 4.0
For an 11.5-hour call or longer · 9 hr 30 min door to door

Castle, Kumamon Square, ramen and Suizenji (Sat 26 Dec 2026)

Spectrum of the Seas on Sat 26 Dec 2026 (07:00–19:00): off at 07:30, back at the gangway about 17:00, before the assumed 18:30 all-aboard

Fits an 11.5-hour stop with nothing to add (off the ship 30 minutes after arrival, back at the gangway an hour before all-aboard). A longer call gives you the extra time; on this one, do not add a stop.

The Kumamoto city tram
Tram to Kumamotojo/Shiyakusho-maePhoto: Glen Zi 加侖子 / Pexels
Sakuranobaba Josaien and the samurai troupe, Kumamoto
Sakuranobaba JosaienPhoto: Jdjuice / CC BY-SA 4.0
Suizenji Jojuen garden, Kumamoto
Suizenji JojuenPhoto: 663highland / CC BY 2.5
Kumamon Port and its park, Yatsushiro
Back at the gangway about 17:00Photo: Sanjo / CC BY-SA 4.0
  1. +0:00
    07:30 off the ship; taxi or transfer to Shin-Yatsushiro (about 20 min)

    Whether taxis wait at the port is not confirmed; ask the ship about transfers

  2. +0:54
    Shinkansen Sakura 744, 08:24 → Kumamoto 08:38 (¥1,630)

    JR Kyushu timetable for 26 Dec. The local at 08:06 arrives 08:42 for ¥760

  3. +1:15
    Tram to Kumamotojo/Shiyakusho-mae (10 min), then 10 min on foot

    Saturday: either castle gate

  4. +1:35
    Kumamoto Castle at opening (about 09:05–10:35)

    9:00–17:00, adult ¥800

  5. +3:10
    Sakuranobaba Josaien

    Samurai troupe talks and photos 11:00–12:00; the Wakuwakuza museum is closed

  6. +3:45
    Tram to Suidocho: Kumamon Square, Kumamon on stage 11:30–12:00

    10:00–19:00; the ride time is not confirmed, allow 15 min

  7. +4:35
    Ramen lunch: Komurasaki Kamitori-chuo, 8-16 Kamitori-machi (11:00–16:00)

    Secondary listing; closed over New Year only

  8. +5:30
    Tram to Suizenji-koen, then 5 min on foot

    Ride time not confirmed; allow 25 min

  9. +6:00
    Suizenji Jojuen (about 1 h)

    8:30–17:00, last entry 16:30, ¥500

  10. +7:05
    Tram to Kumamoto-ekimae

    Ride time not confirmed; allow 35 min. Ikinari dango at Chojuan in the station

  11. +8:45
    Shinkansen Sakura 407, 16:15 → Shin-Yatsushiro 16:28

    The 15:04 (in 15:17) is the earlier option; the 15:57 local (in 16:32) is the fallback

  12. +9:05
    Taxi to Kumamon Port (about 20 min)
  13. +9:30
    Back at the gangway about 17:00

    All-aboard is assumed at 18:30, 30 min before the 19:00 sailing; check the daily programme. Sunset is 17:18

Running late? Behind time at Suizenji? Skip it and take the 15:04 Shinkansen from Kumamoto. Missed the 16:15? The 15:57 local reaches Shin-Yatsushiro at 16:32.

Transport spend: taxi about ¥4,000 each way (our estimate), Shinkansen ¥1,630 each way, four tram rides at ¥200. Castle ¥800, Suizenji ¥500. Full route, map and photos

Kumamoto City Museum
Photo: Saigen Jiro / CC0
Rainy day · 7 hr door to door

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

Fits a 9-hour stop with nothing to add (off the ship 30 minutes after arrival, back at the gangway an hour before all-aboard). A longer call gives you the extra time; on this one, do not add a stop.

The Kumamoto city tram
Tram to Kumamotojo/Shiyakusho-mae and walk inPhoto: Glen Zi 加侖子 / Pexels
Kumamoto Castle
Kumamoto Castle keepPhoto: Suicasmo / CC BY-SA 4.0
Kumamon Port and its park, Yatsushiro
Back at the gangwayPhoto: Sanjo / CC BY-SA 4.0
  1. +0:00
    Taxi or transfer to Shin-Yatsushiro (about 20 min)
  2. +0:30
    Shinkansen to Kumamoto, about 15 min, ¥1,630
  3. +0:50
    Tram to Kumamotojo/Shiyakusho-mae and walk in

    The castle may close in bad weather: check its site before you go

  4. +1:15
    Kumamoto Castle keep (about 1 h)

    9:00–17:00, adult ¥800

  5. +2:20
    Kumamoto 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. +3:40
    Tram back to Kumamoto-ekimae
  7. +4:10
    Lunch 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. +6:00
    Shinkansen to Shin-Yatsushiro and a taxi to the port
  9. +6:45
    Back at the gangway

Running late? Castle closed for the weather? Go straight to the City Museum and the station; the Prefectural Museum of Art is closed 25–31 Dec and on Mondays.

Transport spend: taxi about ¥4,000 each way (our estimate), Shinkansen ¥1,630 each way, tram ¥200 a ride. Castle ¥800, City Museum ¥400. Full route, map and photos

What you can do

What fits your hours in Yatsushiro

Everything here is a round trip from the gangway. The half hour to get off and the hour before all-aboard are already set aside. Tap what you want.

Round trips are counted from the gangway and include getting back. Two stops in the same direction overlap, so a real day usually comes in under the total you see, never over it.

Every ride from this berth

Getting around Yatsushiro

Every port
TRAIN

Kumamoto by taxi and the Kyushu Shinkansen

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 estimateShin-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)IC cards OK
How to get there
  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

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.

Today's times in Google Maps
TRAM

Kumamoto Castle, Josaien and Suizenji by city tram

Flat fare adult ¥200, child ¥100 · pay when you get offFrequent; ride time to Suizenji-koen not confirmedIC cards OK
How to get there
  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

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.

Today's times in Google Maps
TAXI

Taxi all the way to Kumamoto

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 tollsFree-flow times; expect more in traffic and with the time charge
How to get there
  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

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.

Today's times in Google Maps
BUS

Yatsushiro town and the shopping loop

Loop free when it runs · taxi to JR Yatsushiro about ¥3,100, our estimateNo timetable published
How to get there
  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

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.

Today's times in Google Maps
The one rule: be back on board 60 minutes before all-aboard — every day above already banks it. Phones auto-switch to local time, but all-aboard runs on ship time. Check the daily programme's clock, not your lock screen. More to pick from on the Yatsushiro guide and the Top 10.

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