How to Get to Kumamoto for the One Piece Statues (Trains, Passes & Where to Stay)

Kumamoto is Eiichiro Oda's home prefecture and home to all ten Straw Hat statues. It's easy to reach from Fukuoka, Osaka or Tokyo — here's how to get there, how to get around, and where to sleep.

Travel update (October 2026): A strong earthquake hit Kumamoto on July 28, 2026. Trains, Kumamoto Castle and most of the city are running again, but some places near Uto and Mashiki were hit hard. Check the official ONE PIECE Kumamoto Revival Project site and JR Kyushu before you go — and visiting now really helps the recovery.

Getting to Kumamoto

From Fukuoka (Hakata) — the easiest way. The Kyushu Shinkansen runs from Hakata to Kumamoto Station in about 35–50 minutes. A one-way unreserved seat is about ¥3,950.

From Osaka or Kobe. Direct Mizuho and Sakura shinkansen run from Shin-Osaka to Kumamoto in about 3 hours — no change needed. One Piece fans can ride the ONE PIECE Shinkansen to Hakata instead and change there.

From Tokyo. Fly to Aso Kumamoto Airport (about 1 hr 50 min from Haneda), then take the airport limousine bus to the city. Don't miss the 29-metre Straw Hat mural at the airport.

The JR Kyushu Rail Pass

If you're travelling around Kyushu for a few days, a rail pass usually pays for itself:

• Northern Kyushu Pass (covers Hakata–Kumamoto, Aso, Beppu, Yufuin, Nagasaki): about ¥13,000 for 3 days, ¥16,000 for 5 days.
• All Kyushu Pass: about ¥20,000 (3 days), ¥22,000 (5 days), ¥24,000 (7 days).

A Hakata–Kumamoto round trip alone is around ¥8,000, so the 3-day Northern pass is worth it if you add Aso, Beppu or Nagasaki. Check JR Kyushu Rail Pass prices on Klook.

The One Piece train: Sunny-Go Train

The Sunny-Go Train is a Thousand Sunny–themed train on the Minamiaso Railway between Tateno and Takamori — the station with the Franky statue. In 2026 it runs on Fridays, weekends and holidays until November 29. Fares, timetable and how to book a reserved seat are in our English Sunny-Go Train guide.

Getting around: car or public transport?

• Rental car: the fastest way to see all ten statues — about 1.5–2 days. You need an International Driving Permit. Compare tours, car and public transport.
• Trains, trams and buses: five statues (Luffy, Chopper, Zoro, Usopp, Franky) are reachable by public transport. Allow 3–4 days for all ten.
• In the city: the Kumamoto City tram covers Kumamoto Station, the castle and Shimotori.

Is Kumamoto a day trip?

Partly. From Fukuoka you can do a great One Piece day trip: Luffy, Chopper, the Mugiwara Store in AMU Plaza at Kumamoto Station, and dinner at Baratei, the steakhouse where Oda worked.

To see all ten statues, stay at least one night — two is better. The statues are spread between the coast (Jinbe in Uto) and the Aso caldera (Franky in Takamori).

Where to stay in Kumamoto

Kumamoto Station area — best for most fans. Shinkansen, airport buses and the Mugiwara Store are right there. Easy check-in, easy exit.

Shimotori / Kumamoto Castle area — best for food and nightlife. Walk to Baratei, the castle and the covered shopping arcades. Hotel Kumamoto Terrsa near the Luffy statue also sells the Luffy mini figure in its lobby.

Aso — best for night two. If you're doing the Aso statues (Zoro, Nami, Robin, Usopp, Franky), stay at a hot-spring inn around Aso or Uchinomaki Onsen, or splurge on Kurokawa Onsen.

Save money now: the Kumamoto Fukkō Ouenwari recovery campaign gives up to 60% off stays from October 1 to December 25, 2026 (max ¥20,000 per night) when booked through participating hotels and travel sites — while the budget lasts. Check eligibility on the official campaign site before booking.

A simple 2-day plan

1. Day 1 — city & coast: Kumamoto Station → Luffy → Chopper → Sanji → Brook → Jinbe → Mugiwara Store → dinner at Baratei. Sleep in Kumamoto.
2. Day 2 — Aso: Zoro → Nami → Robin → Usopp → Franky (ride the Sunny-Go Train if it's running). Sleep in Aso or head back.

See every statue, its limited figure and the free cards on our Kumamoto page, and the full statue route guide.