Kagoshima Airport - Flight Information and Guide (KOJ)

How to get to Kagoshima Airport

Kagoshima city center is about 30 km from the airport: transfer takes approximately 40-60 minutes by limousine bus.

By Car

Travelers arriving by car reach central Kagoshima in approximately 45-60 minutes.

By Train

There is no direct railway station at the airport; the limousine bus remains the most direct solution to the city center.

By Bus

The limousine bus connects the airport to Kagoshima-Chuo Station and Tenmonkan in 40-60 minutes, fare 1,500 yen.

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Tips The limousine bus stops at several points in the city center: check the stop closest to your hotel before boarding.

Average travel time to KOJ

TrainNot available

Shuttle bus40-60 minutes (¥1,500)

Taxi / Private hire45-60 minutes (¥8,000-11,000)

Parking near Kagoshima Airport

Adjacent to the terminal is a multi-level parking structure.

Rates are in line with Japanese standards.

How to get to Kagoshima from KOJ

By Train

The airport does not have a train station inside it.

By Bus

The limousine bus connects the airport to Kagoshima-Chuo Station and Tenmonkan.

By Taxi

Taxis to the city center charge approximately 8,000-11,000 yen, a high cost given the distance that makes buses the preferred option.

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Car rental at Kagoshima Airport

Major car rental companies have desks at the airport, useful for exploring the southern tip of Kyushu and the Satsuma Peninsula.

Bring your driver's license, passport, and an International Driving Permit (IDP); remember that driving is on the left in Japan.

Hotels near Kagoshima Airport

Kagoshima airport is in Kirishima, around 40 km north of the city, with no railway line at all: the limousine bus is the only direct link, running every 20 minutes to Kagoshima-Chuo station, around 40 minutes, and to the Tenmonkan district, around 50. With no train to shorten the distances, staying in the centre is almost always the better choice, even with a mid-morning return flight: there are no hotels near the airport comparable in quality to those in the city. Anyone wanting the Shinkansen station just steps away should go for Kagoshima-Chuo, anyone preferring bars and a more traditional atmosphere should choose Tenmonkan, a bit further from the station but served by the same bus.

Near the airport link

Kagoshima-Chuo

The airport limousine bus departs right from Kagoshima-Chuo station, a journey of around 40 minutes every 20 minutes; the Sheraton Kagoshima also runs a free shuttle to the station every 30 minutes.

Best for: Anyone arriving or leaving on the Shinkansen who wants the airport bus terminus just steps away.

Pros

Airport bus terminus and Shinkansen station in the same block, convenient for anyone with heavy luggage
The Amu Plaza shopping centre and restaurants open late right next to the station

Cons

Tenmonkan, the district with more atmosphere and traditional venues, is still 10-15 minutes away by tram or bus
The link to the airport, with no train available, always depends on the bus schedule

Recommended hotels

See more hotels in this area

Neighbourhood

Tenmonkan

The airport limousine bus also stops at Tenmonkan, a journey of around 50 minutes; from Kagoshima-Chuo station you can also get there by tram, in around 10-15 minutes.

Best for: Anyone wanting to stay among izakaya, bars and shiro-kuma, the city's signature shaved-ice dessert, in the historic evening shopping district.

Pros

The district with the city's highest concentration of restaurants and evening venues, open late
The Dormy Inn Kagoshima has a natural hot spring indoors, rare for a chain hotel

Cons

A longer journey to the airport than from Kagoshima-Chuo, around 10 minutes more by bus
No railway station in the district: you get around on foot, by tram or by bus

Recommended hotels

See more hotels in this area

Airport services

The airport serves Kyushu's southern tip, providing access to Sakurajima volcano and Ibusuki's famous sand onsen.

Shopping & Duty Free

The duty-free area features regional products, including sweet potato shochu, a specialty unique to the area.

Lounges & relaxation

The airport's regional profile does not include dedicated business lounges.

Connectivity & Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is available everywhere in the terminal.

Families & Children

Travelers with children benefit from play spaces and dedicated family assistance.

Terminal guide

The terminal is adequately sized for its role as a regional hub in southern Kyushu.

It is better to be at the airport with 2 hours of buffer time if you are traveling with flights.

Map of Kagoshima Airport

Frequently asked questions

Q. What is Sakurajima?

An active volcano dominating Kagoshima Bay, among the most active in Japan: it regularly emits small ash eruptions, visible even from the city center.

Q. What are the Ibusuki sand baths?

Unusual thermal baths where you're buried in hot sand naturally warmed by the area's volcanic activity, a unique experience on the Satsuma peninsula near Kagoshima.

Q. How do you get to downtown Kagoshima from the airport?

With the limousine bus, which takes 40-60 minutes for 1,500 yen to Kagoshima-Chuo Station and Tenmonkan.

Q. Is Sakurajima's ash a problem for visitors?

Occasionally yes, with light ash deposits in the city during minor eruptions: it's a normal phenomenon for residents and generally not dangerous for visitors.