Tips · Japan
Renting a Car in Kumamoto: Is It Worth It, and What to Prepare for Aso
Skip the car in Kumamoto city, rent one for Aso, Kurokawa Onsen and Takachiho: left-side driving, the IDP, winter tires, crater checks and a sample day by car.
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Do you need a car in Kumamoto? Not in the city, yes for Aso
If you are only seeing Kumamoto city, you can manage without a car. The streetcar links Kumamoto Station, the castle area and downtown, and Suizenji Jojuen Garden is reachable by streetcar too. A loop bus (Shiromeguri-n) also serves the castle and main sights.
For the spread-out Aso crater, Kusasenri grassland and Kurokawa Onsen, though, a rental car is easiest. The guide notes that public transport to Aso, Kurokawa and Takachiho is sparse, so a car helps. A good pattern is to go car-free in the city and rent a car only for the Aso days.
For budgeting, the guide's mid-range figure is about 14,000-20,000 JPY per person per day, covering a city hotel, restaurants and a day's car rental.
- City (Kumamoto Castle, Suizenji Jojuen, Shimotori): streetcar and buses are enough
- Aso crater and Kusasenri grassland: easiest by rental car
- Kurokawa Onsen: easiest by car; book your stay early
- Takachiho Gorge: just over an hour by car from Aso
Where to pick up: straight from the airport, or after your city days
If you land at Aso Kumamoto Airport (KMJ) and head straight to Aso or Kurokawa Onsen, renting a car at the airport is easiest. From the airport to the city is about 40 minutes by car.
If your first day is in the city, there is no need to collect a car at the airport. The airport limousine bus reaches Sakuramachi in about 55 minutes for about 1,400 JPY, and Sakuramachi is right below Kumamoto Castle. See the castle and the food street below it on foot, then pick up a car on the day you leave for Aso.
The area around Kumamoto Station, the hub for the Shinkansen and JR, also works well as a starting point for Aso.
- Airport straight to Aso or Kurokawa: rent at the airport
- City first: limousine bus to Sakuramachi, pick up a car on your Aso day
- A taxi to the city is pricey at about 5,000-7,000 JPY
Licence and driving side: on the left, with an International Driving Permit
Japan drives on the left. If you are used to driving on the right, take extra care when turning at junctions and when pulling out of car parks.
The guide says to bring an International Driving Permit when renting a car. Check official information for the current licence requirements before you travel.
The guide does not cover parking, fuel or tolls. Ask at the counter about the fuel policy and how to return the car when you pick it up, and see our overseas car rental checklist for general prep such as insurance and deposits.
- Driving side: left
- Licence: bring an International Driving Permit; check official information for current requirements
- Parking, fuel and tolls: ask at the counter when you pick up the car
A sample day by car: Aso crater, Kusasenri, then Kurokawa Onsen
Day 2 of the guide's itinerary is the rental-car day. Aso has villages inside the vast caldera, about 1 hour 30 minutes by car from the city. Stop at the Nakadake crater after checking access, then drive through the Kusasenri grassland near the crater, famous for grazing horses.
For lunch, the akaushi beef bowl, topped with red-cattle beef raised around Aso, is a popular choice on an Aso drive. Spend the night at Kurokawa Onsen, a riverside hot-spring village with ryokan; it is easiest by car, and you should book early.
On Day 3, after a morning bath, you can drive on to Takachiho Gorge (in Miyazaki Prefecture), just over an hour by car from Aso. Or return to the city for Suizenji Jojuen.
- Day 2: drive to Aso → Nakadake crater (check access) → Kusasenri grassland → a night at Kurokawa Onsen
- Day 3: morning bath → Takachiho Gorge, or back to the city for Suizenji Jojuen
- City to Aso: about 1 hour 30 minutes by car
- Aso to Takachiho Gorge: just over an hour by car
Volcano, weather and roads: what to check before you set off
Mount Aso is an active volcano. Access to the Nakadake crater is often restricted due to volcanic gas and alert levels, so check alert levels and crater access with the Japan Meteorological Agency and local official information on the day. Avoid it if you have respiratory or heart conditions.
Winter brings snow and icy roads to the Aso highlands. If you rent in winter, check that your car has winter tires both when you book and when you pick it up.
Rowboats at Takachiho Gorge may be suspended in bad weather. Earthquakes are also common in the region, so read your hotel's evacuation information once.
- Nakadake crater: check the Japan Meteorological Agency and local official information on the day
- Aso in winter: snow and ice; check for winter tires
- Takachiho Gorge boats: may be suspended in bad weather
- Earthquakes: read your hotel's evacuation information
One more day on the road: the Amakusa coast
In the other direction from Aso lies Amakusa, with islands, coast and a hidden-Christian history, known for its churches and sea views. It is about 2 hours by car from the city, which makes a good day trip if you have a car.
Kurokawa Onsen is known for its bath-hopping pass. Leave the car parked and walk between baths in the village. Check official information for pass prices and baths.
- Amakusa: about 2 hours by car from the city; churches and coastal views
- Kurokawa Onsen bath-hopping pass: check prices and baths officially
- Hot-spring etiquette: wash before entering; some facilities restrict tattoos
Arrival and pick-up checklist
Check these items before you collect the car and your Aso drive will go much more smoothly. Entry procedures and online arrival forms can change, so check Japanese government or embassy information before you travel.
- Bring your International Driving Permit and licence (check official information for current requirements)
- Remind yourself: drive on the left
- In winter, confirm the car has winter tires
- Check Nakadake crater access on the day
- Ask at the counter about the fuel policy, return and parking
- Book Kurokawa Onsen stays early
Plan your Kumamoto trip
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FAQ
Do I need a rental car in Kumamoto?
Not for the city, where the streetcar and buses are enough. A rental car is easiest for places with sparse public transport such as the Aso crater, Kusasenri grassland, Kurokawa Onsen and Takachiho.
Do I need an International Driving Permit?
The guide says to bring an International Driving Permit. Check official information for the current licence requirements before you travel.
How long is the drive from the city to Aso?
About 1 hour 30 minutes, according to the guide. From Aso to Takachiho Gorge is just over an hour by car.
Is it OK to drive to Aso in winter?
Winter brings snow and icy roads to the Aso highlands. Make sure your rental car has winter tires.
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