Updated September 29, 2026 (JST), using the official sources linked below. Source publication dates vary; booking availability and transport conditions can change before you travel.
Planning a trip after the July 28 Kumamoto earthquake? Check your destination and your route separately: an open hotel or attraction does not mean that every train or road on the way is operating normally.
Latest update — September 29: The September 26 earthquake and changes to recovery-discount availability are reflected below. JR Kyushu’s October 10 reopening target for Uto–Yatsushiro remains unchanged.
The Short Answer: How Is the Kumamoto Earthquake Affecting Travel in Kyushu?
Conditions vary by destination and route. Many destinations are receiving visitors, but travel through southern Kumamoto still requires careful route planning.
- Kyushu Shinkansen: The full route reopened on September 18, including Kumamoto–Shin-Minamata. Kumamoto–Kagoshima-Chuo is operating under a modified timetable, with slower running through part of the affected area.
- Southern Kumamoto: Uto–Yatsushiro on the Kagoshima Main Line remains suspended, with normal-timetable service planned from October 10, subject to weather and other conditions. Until October 9, replacement transport continues and Kumamoto–Uto has fewer trains.
- Safety: JMA’s September 24 assessment says stronger earthquakes have become less likely but activity remains above normal. Avoid damaged or restricted areas and check current guidance for your travel dates.
- Mount Aso: Volcanic Alert Level 2 remains in effect. The area within approximately 1 kilometer of Nakadake No. 1 Crater is off-limits; the restriction does not cover the entire Aso area.
- Recovery discounts: Some programs include international visitors, but eligibility depends on the prefecture and booking channel. Japanese-language applications, coupon steps, and limited allocations can affect whether you can use an offer.
- Elsewhere in Kyushu: Official tourism information (Japanese) indicates that many accommodation and tourism facilities in Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima are operating. A destination can be open even when the route you planned to use is disrupted.
Before traveling, check official safety guidance, your destination, and each transport connection in your itinerary.
Kyushu Shinkansen: Open Across the Full Route, With a Modified Timetable
JR Kyushu confirms that the full Kyushu Shinkansen route reopened on September 18. You can again travel through from Hakata, in Fukuoka, toward Kagoshima-Chuo.
A modified timetable remains in use, with slower running through part of the affected area. Connections south of Kumamoto may differ from the normal schedule. Use JR Kyushu’s current service notice (Japanese) to open the timetable for travel from September 18, then check your train and onward connection before booking.
For the booking process, see our guide to buying Shinkansen tickets in Japan.
Current Kumamoto Travel Status
Earthquake Activity and Safety
The JMA earthquake portal (Japanese) carries a September 24 assessment: the likelihood of earthquakes causing Shindo 5 Lower or stronger shaking has decreased, although activity is expected to remain above normal for some time. Shindo measures shaking intensity at a location, not earthquake magnitude. JMA also recorded an M4.5 earthquake in the Kumamoto region on September 26, with maximum intensity 4. Check local instructions for damaged or restricted areas.
Neither the assessment nor an individual earthquake report predicts the timing of the next event or guarantees that a damaged building, slope, or transport route is safe. Continue earthquake preparedness and follow local instructions.
For practical preparation and what to do if shaking occurs, read Natural Disasters in Japan.
Mount Aso: Level 2 and a 1-Kilometer Crater Restriction
Mount Aso remains at Volcanic Alert Level 2, meaning restrictions around the crater. JMA’s current activity information (Japanese) says volcanic activity remains elevated and an eruption affecting the area within approximately 1 kilometer of Nakadake No. 1 Crater remains possible.
Within that zone, JMA warns about large volcanic rocks and pyroclastic flows. Ash, smaller windblown rocks, and volcanic gas can also affect areas downwind. Follow local restrictions and do not enter the restricted crater area.
Aso Sanjo Plaza is outside the restricted crater zone, but crater viewing remains unavailable while the local restriction is in effect. Check local crater-access information (Japanese; restriction summary in English) and the specific road, trail, or bus you plan to use.
Southern Kumamoto: October 10 Rail Reopening Plan and Connections
JR Kyushu’s current reopening plan on JR Kyushu’s service page (Japanese) sets October 10 as the planned reopening date for Uto–Yatsushiro, with the normal timetable from the first train. Weather or other conditions may change the date. Through October 9, Uto–Yatsushiro remains suspended and Kumamoto–Uto has fewer trains.
For travel through October 9, the replacement-bus plan requires a change at Ogawa: there is no through Uto–Yatsushiro replacement bus. Arisa and Sencho stations are not served at their station entrances; the designated alternatives are Yatsushiro City Kagami Cultural Center and Shin-Yatsushiro. School commuters have priority; capacity is limited and road delays can break connections.
JR Kyushu’s current replacement-transport notices and timetables (Japanese; select your travel date) also describe Shinkansen substitution between Kumamoto and Shin-Yatsushiro for valid tickets. Ask JR staff how it applies to your ticket or rail pass. Stored-value IC-card balances cannot be used for these replacement arrangements; carry the appropriate ticket or cash for the bus. JR plans to end both the replacement buses and the Kumamoto–Shin-Yatsushiro Shinkansen substitution on October 9. Recheck the reopening announcement before planning an October 10 connection.
The separate Hisatsu Orange Railway recovery notice (Japanese) still gives a mid-October target for Yatsushiro–Higo-Tanoura, without a fixed reopening date. JR’s October 10 plan does not cover this section. The operator publishes replacement-bus information for Yatsushiro–Higo-Tanoura (Japanese). Some stops are away from the railway station, and the extra early-morning connection is restricted to holders of specified JR connecting commuter passes. Tourists should use the regular published services and check connections separately.
If driving, check NEXCO West traffic information (Japanese) and MLIT’s Kumamoto earthquake road information (Japanese) before departure. Do not build your route around an old closure map.
Highway Buses, Airport, and Kumamoto City
B&S Miyazaki’s notice for travel from September 18 (Japanese) announces a partial service resumption. The timetable differs from the pre-earthquake schedule, so check the current operator timetable if this connection between Shin-Yatsushiro and Miyazaki is part of your trip.
For flights, check Aso Kumamoto Airport and your airline’s status for your flight number. Kumamoto Castle’s September 18 facility notice lists the castle as operating normally, but Kumamoto Castle Museum Wakuwakuza remains temporarily closed. Check the castle’s facility-status notice (Japanese) before adding surrounding museums or facilities to your visit.
Planning an October Trip: Kyushu Reconstruction Support Discount
The Japan Tourism Agency’s Kyushu Fukko Ouen Wari framework (Japanese) covers eligible travel and accommodation products involving at least one overnight stay in Kyushu from October 1, 2026.
International visitors may qualify, but the discount must be booked through a participating seller. Some channels require Japanese-language registration or a separate coupon. Check the price shown on your booking page before making a new reservation.
The standard discount is 50%, while Kumamoto and Kagoshima receive a 60% rate; eligible multi-prefecture tour products that include either may also receive 60%. The maximum discount per traveler and trip is ¥20,000 for an accommodation-only product or a one-night transportation-inclusive product, ¥30,000 for a transportation-inclusive trip of two nights or more, and ¥35,000 for an eligible multi-prefecture tour product with stays in at least two Kyushu prefectures. These are product-level caps, not nightly allowances; separately booking hotels in two prefectures does not by itself qualify for the ¥35,000 cap.
Each prefecture and seller has its own booking start and allocation. The September 29 table gives announced booking periods, not live availability. Travel dates refer to eligible overnight stays; check the current terms and discount at checkout. All listed times are Japan Standard Time (JST). OTA means online travel agency.
| Prefecture | Discount | Current booking schedule | Travel period / important note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fukuoka (Japanese) | 50% | Published booking period began September 24; confirm acceptance with your chosen seller | October 1–December 15 stays. Use the campaign’s participating-accommodation and seller lists; do not assume every OTA has an available allocation. Reservations made on or before September 23 are excluded. |
| Saga (Japanese) | 50% | Rakuten lists Saga coupons following the September 24 noon launch; travel agencies: October 2; direct accommodation: early October (planned) | October 1–December 25 stays. Saga explicitly states that inbound travelers are eligible. |
| Nagasaki (Japanese) | 50% | Initial September 15 OTA allocation is marked sold out; direct accommodation: September 28 launch, but the first STAYNAVI coupon allocation was exhausted; other travel agencies and OTAs: September 30 onward | October 1–December 25 overall; the initial OTA allocation covered stays through November 30. Direct bookings require a STAYNAVI coupon after reservation; the first allocation sold out on September 28, with a later tranche announced for October 23. |
| Kumamoto (Japanese) | 60% | Sales began September 15; participating sellers launch as ready, subject to remaining allocation | October 1–December 25 stays. Existing reservations made before the relevant sales start are excluded. |
| Oita (Japanese) | 50% | OTA launch date: September 25, noon; Rakuten now lists Oita coupons. Travel agencies: October 9; direct accommodation: October 16 | OTA stays: October 1–December 25. Agency stays begin October 9; direct-booking stays begin October 16. Existing reservations are excluded. |
| Miyazaki (Japanese) | 50% | OTA launch date: September 25, 10 a.m.; Rakuten now lists Miyazaki coupons. Accommodation and travel agencies: September 28 onward | October 1–December 25 stays. Direct bookings require a STAYNAVI coupon. Reservations made before the applicable seller begins sales are excluded. |
| Kagoshima (Japanese) | 60% under the national framework | The Japan Tourism Agency overview still lists no prefecture-specific schedule; check the prefecture before booking | A separate prefectural offer covers September 14–October 13 stays, up to 60% off and ¥20,000 per traveler/trip. Its site reports Jalan, Rakuten, and NEEDS TOUR sales from September 24; some sellers have exhausted their allocation. |
Rakuten’s campaign page (Japanese) lists participating prefectural coupons. Their availability can change or sell out before you book.
Can International Visitors Actually Book the Discount?
Fukuoka’s FAQ (Japanese PDF) and Saga’s campaign site (Japanese) explicitly include international visitors; Nagasaki’s FAQ (Japanese PDF) does not restrict eligibility by nationality. You still need a participating seller and an available offer; eligibility alone does not mean you can book in English.
For a direct booking, contact a property listed by the campaign and ask whether it can accept your overseas details, payment method, and requested dates. Fukuoka permits booking through the property’s official website or by phone. Nagasaki and Miyazaki (Japanese) add a separate step: after an eligible direct reservation, obtain the discount coupon through STAYNAVI. A normal hotel confirmation alone does not complete that process.
Rakuten Travel’s campaign FAQ (Japanese) excludes reservations on its foreign-language inbound site. Coupon use requires a Rakuten account, and the discount must remain applied when the reservation is completed. A coupon cannot be added afterward; obtaining one does not reserve the remaining allocation.
For Booking.com, Expedia, Agoda, or Airbnb, confirm participation in your exact booking flow. A hotel’s direct-booking offer does not automatically apply through another platform.
Compare Costs Before You Rebook
Start with a hotel and route that already fit your trip, then check the campaign. Compare the final payable total, cancellation charges, included meals, and any coupon steps. Keep your current reservation until you understand whether the replacement can actually be secured and what changing it will cost.
Local Recovery Discounts in Kumamoto
Some Kumamoto municipalities run separate accommodation or shopping offers, with their own residency, booking, and application conditions. Check the official municipal-campaign directory (Japanese) for your destination and confirm the current terms with the property.
Official Information
Use these official starting points for safety, transport, and booking checks. The Japanese notices may contain newer or more detailed information than the general pages.
- JMA: Kumamoto Earthquake Portal; dated safety assessments (Japanese); September 26 earthquake data (Japanese)
- JR Kyushu: Traveler Information; current earthquake service updates and timetables (Japanese)
- Aso Volcano: Crater Restrictions (Japanese; restriction summary in English)
- NEXCO West: Driving and Route Information; traffic updates (Japanese)
- Kumamoto Castle: Visitor Information; facility-status notice (Japanese)
- Kumamoto Prefecture: Travel Information; municipal discount directory (Japanese)
- Japan Tourism Agency; Kyushu recovery-discount overview and links (Japanese)
Frequently Asked Questions
- Are Beppu and Yufuin open after the earthquake?
-
Oita’s official tourism information (Japanese) indicates that accommodation and tourism facilities are generally operating. Check your specific property and route before departure, especially if another part of your itinerary crosses southern Kumamoto.
- Can I travel from Fukuoka to Kagoshima by Shinkansen?
-
Yes. The Kyushu Shinkansen reopened across its full route on September 18, including Kumamoto–Shin-Minamata. Service south of Kumamoto is operating under a modified timetable, so check your exact train before departure.
- What if I need to travel to Yatsushiro or Minamata?
-
Shin-Yatsushiro and Yatsushiro are different stations. Check the onward route from your Shinkansen station: the JR replacement buses run only through October 9 and require a transfer at Ogawa. The Hisatsu Orange Railway has a separate recovery timetable.
- Can I visit Mount Aso right now?
-
Parts of the wider Aso area remain accessible, but the area within approximately 1 kilometer of Nakadake No. 1 Crater is off-limits under Volcanic Alert Level 2, and crater viewing remains unavailable.
- Can international travelers use the Kyushu Reconstruction Support Discount?
-
Fukuoka and Saga explicitly include international visitors, and Nagasaki does not restrict eligibility by nationality. This does not guarantee that your preferred booking channel can apply the discount. You still need an eligible seller, available allocation, and any required coupon steps.
Rakuten’s foreign-language site is excluded from its campaign. If a hotel offers direct booking, confirm whether it can handle your reservation and application; Nagasaki and Miyazaki require a STAYNAVI coupon for eligible direct bookings.
- How should I decide whether to change my Kyushu trip?
-
Check official safety guidance, your destination, and every transportation segment first. A destination being open does not guarantee that your planned route is operating normally.
If you are considering rebooking for a recovery discount, also compare the new cancellation terms, booking channel, availability, and actual savings. Do not cancel an existing reservation solely because a discount has been announced.
