Kumamoto and Shimabara, in Nagasaki Prefecture, face each other across the Ariake Sea. The shortest link for these two towns is the ferry connecting Kumamoto Port with Shimabara Port.
Two companies sail this route: Kyusho Ferry and Kumamoto Ferry. Their travel times and fares are different, so it helps to decide which one to take before you go.
This article covers the timetables, fares, terminals and access to both ports for the Kumamoto–Shimabara ferry. It also explains how the two companies differ, how to pick one, and the views you get on deck.
I took the Kyusho Ferry from Shimabara Port to Kumamoto Port on September 28, 2023. All the photos were taken on that trip.
About the information in this article
- Timetables, fares and terminal details were checked on October 13, 2026, on the official websites of Kyusho Ferry and Kumamoto Ferry.
- All fares are one-way.
- Times and fares may change, and sailings may be cancelled in bad weather. Please check each company’s official website for the latest information before you travel.
- What is the Kumamoto–Shimabara ferry? A 21 km crossing of the Ariake Sea
- Kyusho Ferry vs. Kumamoto Ferry: choose by fare and travel time
- Timetables: Kyusho Ferry and Kumamoto Ferry
- Fares: passengers, bicycles, motorcycles and cars
- Kumamoto Port terminal and how to get there from Kumamoto Station
- Shimabara Port terminal and how to get there from Shimabarako Station
- How to board: buying a ticket and getting ready
- Views from the ship: Mt. Mayuyama and the Ariake Sea
- Things to know before you sail
- Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
- Q. How long does the ferry take from Kumamoto Port to Shimabara Port?
- Q. How much is the ferry fare?
- Q. Do I need a reservation?
- Q. Which is better, Kyusho Ferry or Kumamoto Ferry?
- Q. How do I get from Kumamoto Station to Kumamoto Port?
- Q. Is the Shimabara Port terminal close to the station?
- Q. Can I bring a car or a bicycle?
- Q. Is there parking at Kumamoto Port?
- Summary
What is the Kumamoto–Shimabara ferry? A 21 km crossing of the Ariake Sea
Kumamoto Port (Kumamoto City, Kumamoto Prefecture) and Shimabara Port (Shimabara City, Nagasaki Prefecture) are 21 km apart by sea. The ferry crosses in 30 to 60 minutes.
Going from Kumamoto to Shimabara by land means travelling all the way around the Ariake Sea. The ferry is a shortcut that saves you this detour.
You can bring a car, motorcycle or bicycle on board. If you are travelling on foot, neither company requires a reservation.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Route | Kumamoto Port (Kumamoto City) – Shimabara Port (Shimabara City, Nagasaki Prefecture) |
| Distance | 21 km |
| Operators | Kyusho Ferry, Kumamoto Ferry |
| Travel time | Kyusho Ferry 60 minutes, Kumamoto Ferry about 30 minutes |
| Reservation | Not needed for foot passengers |
Kyusho Ferry vs. Kumamoto Ferry: choose by fare and travel time
The two companies differ most in travel time and fare. Kyusho Ferry is cheaper and has more sailings, while Kumamoto Ferry gets you there faster.
| Item | Kyusho Ferry | Kumamoto Ferry |
|---|---|---|
| Travel time | 60 minutes | About 30 minutes |
| Adult (one-way) | ¥1,180 | ¥1,600 |
| Child (one-way) | ¥590 | ¥800 |
| Sailings per day | 9 (10 on certain days) | 6 (7 on weekends and holidays from April to December) |
| Ships | Rainbow Kamome, Ferry Kumamoto | Ocean Arrow |
| Free shuttle bus from Kumamoto Station | Yes (reservation required) | No |
| Reservation for foot passengers | Not needed | Not needed |
Which one should you choose?
- If you want a lower fare, or want to enjoy a slower trip at sea, Kyusho Ferry is the better fit
- If you want to get from Kumamoto Station to the port for free, also choose Kyusho Ferry. It runs a free shuttle bus that must be reserved
- If you want to arrive sooner, or you worry about seasickness and want a shorter trip, Kumamoto Ferry is the better fit
Both companies use the same port. The ticket counters are separate for each company, so buy your ticket at the counter of the company you will sail with.
Timetables: Kyusho Ferry and Kumamoto Ferry
All times were checked on the official websites on October 13, 2026.
Kyusho Ferry timetable (60 minutes)
| Sailing | Departs Kumamoto Port | Departs Shimabara Port |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7:00 | 7:00 |
| 2 | 8:20 | 8:35 |
| 3 | 9:50 | 9:40 |
| 4 | 11:00 | 11:05 |
| 5 | 12:20 | 12:15 |
| 6 | 13:35 | 13:40 |
| 7 | 15:10 | 14:50 |
| 8 | 16:05 | 16:25 |
| 9 | 17:45 | 17:45 |
| 10 (★) | 19:10 | 19:05 |
- Sailing 10 (★) runs only on set days. The dates shown on the official website are May 2–6 and August 11–16, 2026, and January 2–3, 2027
- While a ship is being inspected, the service drops to 5 sailings a day (the dock timetable). The next scheduled period is December 7–18, 2026
The dock timetable is as follows.
| Sailing | Departs Kumamoto Port | Departs Shimabara Port |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8:20 | 7:00 |
| 2 | 11:00 | 9:40 |
| 3 | 13:35 | 12:15 |
| 4 | 16:05 | 14:50 |
| 5 | 19:10 | 17:45 |
The 19:10 sailing leaving Kumamoto Port on Friday, December 18 will not run.
Official: Timetable | Kyusho Ferry (Japanese)
Kumamoto Ferry timetable (about 30 minutes)
| Sailing | Departs Kumamoto Port | Departs Shimabara Port |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7:30 | 8:25 |
| 2 | 9:25 | 10:15 |
| 3 | 11:10 | 12:05 |
| 4 | 13:00 | 13:50 |
| 5 | 14:50 | 15:45 |
| 6 | 16:40 | 17:30 |
| 7 (extra) | 18:30 | 19:20 |
- Sailing 7 runs only on weekends and holidays from April to December
- Sailings leaving Shimabara Port may run about 10 minutes late from September to May. Work is carried out in the waters around Kumamoto Port, so the ship slows down
Official: Timetable and fares | Kumamoto Ferry (Japanese)
Fares: passengers, bicycles, motorcycles and cars
All fares are one-way and were checked on the official websites on October 13, 2026.
Foot passengers
| Category | Kyusho Ferry | Kumamoto Ferry |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | ¥1,180 | ¥1,600 |
| Child | ¥590 | ¥800 |
One child below elementary school age travels free with each adult. A second child is charged the child fare. This is the same for both companies.
With a bicycle or motorcycle
| Category | Kyusho Ferry | Kumamoto Ferry |
|---|---|---|
| Bicycle (adult) | ¥1,740 | ¥2,100 |
| Bicycle (child) | ¥1,150 | ¥1,300 |
| Moped | ¥1,940 (125 cc or less) | ¥2,300 (moped) |
| Motorcycle (under 750 cc) | ¥2,700 | ¥3,500 |
| Motorcycle (750 cc or more) | ¥2,900 | ¥4,000 |
With a car
The car fare includes the fare for one driver.
| Car length | Kyusho Ferry | Kumamoto Ferry |
|---|---|---|
| Under 3 m | ¥3,000 | ¥4,200 (kei car) / ¥4,400 |
| 3 m to under 4 m | ¥3,200 | ¥4,200 (kei car) / ¥4,400 |
| 4 m to under 5 m | ¥3,900 | ¥5,100 |
| 5 m to under 6 m | ¥5,150 | ¥6,800 |
On Kumamoto Ferry, a kei car (Japanese light car) costs ¥4,200 and other cars under 4 m cost ¥4,400. Fares for vehicles of 6 m or longer are listed on each company’s official website.
If you are bringing a car, both companies take reservations online. Kumamoto Ferry asks drivers to finish boarding procedures at least 30 minutes before departure.
Discount for people with disabilities
On both companies, holders of a Japanese disability certificate pay half the passenger fare. Show the certificate at the counter of the port you depart from. The conditions for a discount for a carer differ by company, so please check the official websites.
Official: Fares and discounts | Kyusho Ferry (Japanese)
Kumamoto Port terminal and how to get there from Kumamoto Station
The Kumamoto Port ferry terminal is on the coast in Nishi Ward, Kumamoto City. It is some distance from Kumamoto Station, so you go by bus, taxi or car.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 1-1 Shinko, Nishi-ku, Kumamoto City, Kumamoto 861-5274 |
| Kyusho Ferry ticket counter | 6:30–19:10 |
| Kumamoto Ferry ticket counter | 6:50–16:40 (until 18:30 on days with the extra sailing) |
| Parking | Free (lots 1 to 3) |
| Shops in the terminal | Kumamoto Port Bussankan souvenir shop (8:45–17:30), Bayside Minato Cafe restaurant (8:30–17:30) |
Kyusho Ferry’s free shuttle bus (reservation required)
Passengers of Kyusho Ferry can use a free shuttle bus linking Kumamoto Station with Kumamoto Port. The ride takes about 25 minutes.
- Only Kyusho Ferry passengers can use it. You cannot use it if you sail with Kumamoto Ferry, or if you only want the bus ride
- It must be reserved. Book by phone from one month before until 17:00 on the day before you travel (Kumamoto Port 096-329-6111, Shimabara Port 0957-62-3246; calls are taken 9:00–17:00)
- At Kumamoto Station, the bus leaves from the bus waiting area at the Shinkansen Exit (West Exit). There is no dedicated bus stop. Look for a small bus marked as the Kyusho Ferry shuttle bus
- Because it is a small bus, you can only bring luggage small enough to hold on your lap. If you have a large suitcase, use the regular bus or a taxi
- The shuttle bus does not run on some days during Golden Week and Silver Week. Please check when you reserve
The times for connecting from Kumamoto Station to the ferry are as follows.
| Departs Kumamoto Station (Shinkansen Exit) | Arrives Kumamoto Port | Ferry departs Kumamoto Port | Arrives Shimabara Port |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9:05 | 9:30 | 9:50 | 10:50 |
| 10:20 | 10:45 | 11:00 | 12:00 |
| 11:35 | 12:00 | 12:20 | 13:20 |
| 12:50 | 13:15 | 13:35 | 14:35 |
| 14:20 | 14:45 | 15:10 | 16:10 |
| 15:25 | 15:50 | 16:05 | 17:05 |
| 16:55 | 17:20 | 17:45 | 18:45 |
After arriving at Kumamoto Port by ferry from Shimabara Port, the buses to Kumamoto Station run as follows.
| Ferry departs Shimabara Port | Arrives Kumamoto Port | Shuttle bus departs Kumamoto Port | Arrives Kumamoto Station |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7:00 | 8:00 | 8:10 | 8:50 |
| 8:35 | 9:35 | 9:45 | 10:10 |
| 9:40 | 10:40 | 10:50 | 11:15 |
| 11:05 | 12:05 | 12:15 | 12:40 |
| 12:15 | 13:15 | 13:25 | 13:50 |
| 13:40 | 14:40 | 14:50 | 15:15 |
| 14:50 | 15:50 | 16:00 | 16:25 |
| 16:25 | 17:25 | 17:35 | 18:05 |
There is no connecting shuttle bus for the 17:45 sailing leaving Shimabara Port.
Official: Free shuttle bus: Kumamoto Station to Kumamoto Port | Kyusho Ferry (Japanese)
By regular bus
The Kumamoto Port Line of Kyushu Sanko Bus runs to Kumamoto Port. Get off at the “Kumamoto-ko Ferry Noriba-mae” stop.
| Where you board | Bus stop |
|---|---|
| Kumamoto Sakuramachi Bus Terminal | Stop 3 |
| Kumamoto Station (Kumamoto-ekimae) | Stop 5 |
Please check the Kyushu Sanko Bus timetable for bus times and fares.
By taxi or car
A taxi takes about 20 minutes from Kumamoto Station and about 25 minutes from Kumamoto Sakuramachi Bus Terminal.
If you drive, you can use the free parking lots at the port.
Shimabara Port terminal and how to get there from Shimabarako Station
The Shimabara Port ferry terminal is about a 5-minute walk from Shimabarako Station, the last stop on the Shimabara Railway. The Shimabara Railway, known for its yellow trains, connects with Shimabara Station and Isahaya Station.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 7-5 Shimokawashiri-machi, Shimabara City, Nagasaki 855-0861 |
| Kyusho Ferry ticket counter | 7:10–18:55 (until 19:05 on some days) |
| Kumamoto Ferry ticket counter | 7:30–17:30 (until 19:20 on days with the extra sailing) |
| Nearest station | About a 5-minute walk from Shimabarako Station (Shimabara Railway) |
| Nearest bus stop | Shimabara-ko (Shimatetsu Bus), next to the terminal |
| Parking | Paid |
| Facilities in the terminal | Shop, cafe, stand-up udon and soba shop, tourist information center, coin lockers (6:30–20:30) |
From Unzen Onsen, a taxi takes about 25 minutes.
Official: Ports and terminals | Kumamoto Ferry (Japanese)
How to board: buying a ticket and getting ready
For foot passengers, the steps are almost the same for both companies.
- When you arrive at the port terminal, buy a ticket at the counter of the company you will sail with. No reservation is needed
- Head to the boarding area before the departure time. Kyusho Ferry asks passengers to check in at least 20 minutes before departure
- Board the ship. Follow the directions of the staff to the boarding entrance
Here are a few things worth knowing.
- You can pay by credit card at the Kumamoto Ferry counter. It accepts JCB, American Express, Diners Club, Discover, VISA and Mastercard, for single payments only
- All seats in the cabins are non-smoking on both companies. Smoking is allowed at the smoking area on the rear deck
- Pets can stay with you on the deck if they are in a cage. They cannot enter the cabin
- There is a shop on board. Kumamoto Ferry’s ship has no vending machines, so buy drinks at the shop or bring them with you
- Kyusho Ferry’s Rainbow Kamome has a nursing room, a diaper-changing table, an accessible toilet and an elevator. The other ship, Ferry Kumamoto, does not
Official: Boarding information | Kyusho Ferry (Japanese), FAQ | Kumamoto Ferry (Japanese)
Views from the ship: Mt. Mayuyama and the Ariake Sea
I took the Kyusho Ferry from Shimabara Port to Kumamoto Port. It was a cloudy day, but I went out on deck and photographed the scenery.
Just after departure: Shimabara and Mt. Mayuyama slip away
As the ship leaves the port, you can see Mt. Mayuyama rising right behind the town of Shimabara. From the sea, it is easy to see how close the mountain is to the town.
As the ship moves on, Mt. Mayuyama and the town slowly grow smaller.
The white wake behind the ship
Looking down from the deck, you can see the white waves made as the ship cuts through the sea. The wake stretches far behind the ship.
Birds flying over the Ariake Sea
Out at sea, a number of seabirds were flying beside the ship. In the distance, you can see the mountains on the far shore.
According to Kumamoto Ferry’s official website, seagulls are migratory birds that come to this sea from November to early April. If you sail in that season, you are likely to meet even more of them.
Arriving at Kumamoto Port
The ship reaches Kumamoto Port in 60 minutes. When you get off, a walkway leads to the terminal.
Things to know before you sail
- Sailings may be cancelled in bad weather. Check the service status on the official website of your company before you leave
- Kyusho Ferry runs fewer sailings during inspection periods. The next one is scheduled for December 7–18, 2026, with 5 sailings a day
- Kumamoto Port is far from Kumamoto Station. You cannot walk there. Look up the bus times in advance
- The free shuttle bus must be reserved and is only for Kyusho Ferry passengers. Large luggage cannot be brought on board
- Tickets for the two companies are separate. A Kyusho Ferry ticket cannot be used on Kumamoto Ferry. Decide which company you will take on the way back before you buy
- Watch the time of the last sailing. On ordinary days, the last Kyusho Ferry leaves at 17:45, and the last Kumamoto Ferry leaves Kumamoto Port at 16:40 and Shimabara Port at 17:30 (there is one more sailing on weekends, holidays and certain days)
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Q. How long does the ferry take from Kumamoto Port to Shimabara Port?
A. Kyusho Ferry takes 60 minutes and Kumamoto Ferry takes about 30 minutes.
Q. How much is the ferry fare?
A. The one-way adult fare is ¥1,180 on Kyusho Ferry and ¥1,600 on Kumamoto Ferry. The child fare is ¥590 on Kyusho Ferry and ¥800 on Kumamoto Ferry (checked on the official websites on October 13, 2026).
Q. Do I need a reservation?
A. Foot passengers do not need a reservation on either company. Buy your ticket at the counter at the port. If you are bringing a car, you can reserve online.
Q. Which is better, Kyusho Ferry or Kumamoto Ferry?
A. Choose Kyusho Ferry for the lower fare and the larger number of sailings, and Kumamoto Ferry if you want to arrive sooner. If you want to use the free shuttle bus from Kumamoto Station, choose Kyusho Ferry.
Q. How do I get from Kumamoto Station to Kumamoto Port?
A. Kyusho Ferry passengers can use the free shuttle bus, which must be reserved and takes about 25 minutes. There are also the Kumamoto Port Line of Kyushu Sanko Bus and taxis (about 20 minutes from Kumamoto Station).
Q. Is the Shimabara Port terminal close to the station?
A. It is about a 5-minute walk from Shimabarako Station, the last stop on the Shimabara Railway.
Q. Can I bring a car or a bicycle?
A. Yes. A bicycle (adult) costs ¥1,740 on Kyusho Ferry and ¥2,100 on Kumamoto Ferry. Car fares depend on the length of the car.
Q. Is there parking at Kumamoto Port?
A. There are free parking lots. Parking at Shimabara Port is paid.
Summary
The Kumamoto–Shimabara ferry crosses the Ariake Sea in 30 to 60 minutes and is the shortcut linking Kumamoto with Shimabara.
- Two companies sail the route: Kyusho Ferry (60 minutes) and Kumamoto Ferry (about 30 minutes)
- The one-way adult fare is ¥1,180 on Kyusho Ferry and ¥1,600 on Kumamoto Ferry
- Kyusho Ferry has 9 sailings a day, and Kumamoto Ferry has 6 (7 on weekends and holidays from April to December)
- Foot passengers do not need a reservation
- From Kumamoto Station to Kumamoto Port, take Kyusho Ferry’s free shuttle bus (reservation required), a regular bus or a taxi
- The Shimabara Port terminal is about a 5-minute walk from Shimabarako Station on the Shimabara Railway
- Kyusho Ferry drops to 5 sailings a day on December 7–18, 2026
Once you reach Kumamoto, be sure to visit Kumamoto Castle too. The article History of Kumamoto Castle covers its story, beginning with Kato Kiyomasa building the castle and continuing through the repairs after the earthquakes.
Official sources checked (October 13, 2026)
- Kyusho Ferry official website
- Timetable | Kyusho Ferry
- Fares and discounts | Kyusho Ferry
- Terminal information | Kyusho Ferry
- Free shuttle bus: Kumamoto Station to Kumamoto Port | Kyusho Ferry
- Boarding information | Kyusho Ferry
- Kumamoto Ferry official website
- Timetable and fares | Kumamoto Ferry
- Access | Kumamoto Ferry
- Ports and terminals | Kumamoto Ferry
- FAQ | Kumamoto Ferry
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