Minamata: Getting there and around

How to get to Minamata

Shin-Minamata Station is a station along the JR Kyushu Shinkansen, one hour south of Fukuoka's Hakata Station (around 7000 yen one way) or half an hour north of Kagoshima (around 4000 yen one way). The Kyushu Shinkansen is covered by the Japan Rail Pass (except Mizuho trains, which require a supplement fee) and the Kyushu Rail Pass (all trains, but note that Minamata is not covered by the Northern Kyushu Rail Pass).

The closest airport to Minamata is Kagoshima Airport with flight connections to Tokyo, Osaka and other major cities across Japan. There are three direct buses per day between Kagoshima Airport and Minamata Station (2 hours, 1700 yen one way). Furthermore, various rental car companies have an outlet at Kagoshima Airport.

Above fees and schedules are subject to change. Be sure to check current yen exchange rates.

Getting around

Located in the city center, Minamata Station is served by the Hisatsu Orange Railway. The Kyushu Shinkansen stops at Shin-Minamata Station, about three kilometers east of the city center (5 minutes, 240 yen by Hisatsu Orange Railway, one train per hour). Note that the Japan Rail Pass is not valid on the Hisatsu Orange Railway.

Buses connect Minamata Station with Shin-Minamata Station, Yunotsuru Onsen and Yunoko Onsen. A taxi ride from the station to the Eco Park takes about five minutes and costs less than 1000 yen. Alternatively, the Eco Park can be reached on foot in about 20-30 minutes from Minamata Station. Electric rental bicycles are available at no cost from Shin-Minamata Station.