Kumamon and Mt. Aso are well-known features of the Kyushu region, specifically in Kumamoto Prefecture. The prefectural capital, which also boasts attractions like Kumamoto Castle, is Kumamoto City.
In this article, we introduce the Kumamoto City Tram, a public transportation system indispensable to the lives of Kumamoto City residents and convenient for tourists. With two lines, the city tram makes accessing tourist attractions a breeze. In this article, we will introduce the basic information about the Kumamoto City Tram!
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What is the Kumamoto City Tram that runs in Kyushu and Kumamoto City?
The Kumamoto City Tram is a tram that operates in the city area, which was opened in 1924 (Taisho 13).
There are two routes running on the main street, and it is a public transportation for Kumamoto citizens, as well as a very convenient means of transportation to major tourist spots in Kumamoto city such as JR Kumamoto Station, Kumamoto Castle, Suizenji Jojuen Garden, Kumamon Square, etc. It is an indispensable means of transportation for sightseeing.
The vehicles have a retro design, and there are also illumination trains that run only in winter, and wrapping trains that run according to events, so you can enjoy various car body designs.
Another point is that the fare is uniform within the city. No matter how many stations you get on, adults can move for 180 yen and children for 90 yen. In addition to a one-day pass (500 yen for adults, 250 yen for children) that allows unlimited rides on the city tram and offers discount services such as Kumamoto Castle, it also supports nationwide transportation IC cards, credit card touch payments, and QR code payments.
It operates at intervals of 5 to 15 minutes, so it's very convenient! Enjoy a leisurely train ride while enjoying the cityscape from the train window!
How to get on and off the Kumamoto City Tram?
There are two key points to note about getting on and off the Kumamoto City Tram.
The first is that the timing of payment differs between cash (①, ⑤ & ⑥) and transportation IC cards (②). In the case of cash, the fare is paid when you get off, while for IC cards like SUICA, PASMO, and ICOCA, you touch the card reader when you get on and off. On the other hand, if you use credit card touch payment (③) or QR code payment (④), you only need to touch the terminal when you get off to easily complete the fare payment.
The second point is that when getting on, you should board from the middle or rear door rather than the front door. However, for barrier-free low-floor trams, you can board from either the front or rear door.
Unlimited rides on Kumamoto City Tram for 500 yen! One-day tram ticket
If you plan to ride the Kumamoto City Tram more than three times for sightseeing, the "City Tram One-Day Pass (500 yen)" which allows unlimited rides for a day is a good deal.
This one-day pass is available as a paper ticket and a mobile ticket. The paper ticket can be purchased on board the city tram or at stores such as the Kumamoto Station Tourist Information Center, while the mobile ticket can be purchased from the official app. In addition, with the mobile ticket, you can also purchase the "City Tram 24-Hour Pass (600 yen)".
With a one-day tram ticket, you can not only move around the city cost-effectively, but also use historical and cultural facilities such as Kumamoto Castle (admission fee 800 yen → 640 yen) and Suizenji Jojuen Garden (admission fee 400 yen → 360 yen) at a discounted rate.
- For details on the facilities eligible for discounts, click here: https://ticket.jorudan.co.jp/kumamoto/city/ja/
Also, there is a "Train & Bus Common One-Day Ticket (Waku Waku 1day Pass)" that allows unlimited rides on city trams, electric trains, Sanko buses, electric buses, and Kumamoto City buses for one day, and also includes a facility usage discount (※The ticket price varies depending on the designated section). For more details, please refer to the official website of Kumamoto City Transportation Bureau.
Tourist spots along the Kumamoto City Tram Line
The Kumamoto City Tram consists of two lines that run through the main streets of the city. They are the A line, which runs from "JR Kumamoto Station (Tazaki Bridge) - Kenguncho", and the B line, which runs from "Kamikumamoto - Kenguncho".
From here, we will introduce famous tourist spots in Kumamoto City that you can reach using the city tram.
Tourist Spot in Kumamoto City Accessible by Kumamoto City Tram ①: Kumamoto Castle・City Hall Mae Station
One of the highlights of Kumamoto tourism, the famous "Kumamoto Castle", one of Japan's three most famous castles, is about a 10-minute walk from the city tram's "Kumamoto Castle/City Hall" station. It suffered significant damage in the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, but the entire castle tower has now been restored, and you can enjoy the completely renewed exhibits and the view from the top floor. Every year from late March to early April, the cherry blossoms at the Baba Josaien and around the Ninomaru Square are in full bloom, so why not add it to your itinerary?
If you also want to visit the "Kumamoto Prefecture Traditional Crafts Museum", which exhibits 90 traditional crafts designated by the prefecture, including Higo Zogan, woodworking, dyed and woven textiles, bamboo products, ceramics, and blades, use this station.
- Official Website: https://castle.kumamoto-guide.jp/
Kumamoto City Tram Sightseeing Spots in Kumamoto City ②: Toricho-suji Station
The bustling heart of Kumamoto City is the arcade street, just a minute's walk from Toricho-Suji Station!
Stretching north from the train street is the 360m long and 11m wide Kamitori Arcade, and the 511m long and 15m wide Shimotori Arcade, the largest in the prefecture. There are over 400 shops including major department stores, brand shops, bookstores, cafes, and local cuisine restaurants. Commonly referred to as "Kamitori-Shimotori", it is said to be one of the largest arcade streets in western Japan! By the way, the department store "Tsuruya Department Store", born in Kumamoto, is said to be close to "Toricho-Suji" station and the tram stop "Suidomachi" station.
Kumamoto City Sightseeing Spot Accessible by Kumamoto City Tram ③: Suizenji Park Station
Just a 4-minute walk from Suizenji Koen Station, Suizenji Jojuen is a daimyo garden representing Kumamoto, which is also designated as a national scenic spot and historic site.
The garden is a whopping 73,000 square meters in size! The park is centered around a pond created by the spring water from Aso, with hills and floating stones arranged, allowing you to fully enjoy the seasonal flowers and Japanese atmosphere.
- Official website: http://www.suizenji.or.jp/
Kumamoto City Tram
- Section:
【A Line】Kumamoto Station (Tazaki Bridge) ⇔ Kenguncho
【B Line】Kamikumamoto ⇔ Kenguncho - Operating days & times: Every day
- Fare: Adults (junior high school students and above) 180 yen, children (6 years old to 6th grade elementary school) 90 yen, 1 year old to under 6 years old 90 yen *Even at the age of 6, if not yet in elementary school, they are treated as infants. One child is free per accompanying person of "child" or older.
- Official website (Japanese): http://www.kotsu-kumamoto.jp/
Please check the latest timetable and fares on the Transportation Bureau's website. - English route map (Kumamoto City Transportation Bureau): http://www.kotsu-kumamoto.jp/common/UploadFileDsp.aspx?c_id=9&id=2&set_doc=1
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