New Zealand to Tokyo
Tokyo is the only Japanese city with nonstop flights from New Zealand. Flights from New Zealand arrive at Narita, east of the city. Tokyo's other airport, Haneda, is closer to the centre and has most domestic flights, including many to Kumamoto.
| From | Arrives at | Airline | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auckland | Narita | Air New Zealand | Year-round, 1–2 flights a day. About 11 hrs. A daytime flight arrives in the evening, and an overnight flight on some days arrives early in the morning. |
| Christchurch | Narita | Air New Zealand | Seasonal, three times a week, late November 2026 to early May 2027 (subject to government approval). Leaves around midday and arrives in the evening. |
From Wellington, Queenstown, Dunedin and other cities, connect through Auckland or Christchurch, or fly via Australia or an Asian hub. Schedules change by season, so check with the airline.
From Narita to your stay
From Narita into Tokyo
The Keisei Skyliner reaches Ueno in about 40 minutes, and the Narita Express reaches Tokyo Station in about an hour. Both are easy with luggage.
From Narita to the Haneda area
Airport limousine buses, and some direct trains, run between Narita and Haneda in about 1–1.5 hours. That puts you near Stark House Tokyo Haneda, a good base for Tokyo, Kawasaki and Yokohama, and close to Haneda's domestic flights for the rest of your trip.
More ideas: Where to stay near Haneda Airport · Places to visit from Haneda · Tokyo eating guide
New Zealand to Osaka
There are no nonstop flights from New Zealand to Osaka, but one connection gets you there. Osaka's international gateway is Kansai International Airport (KIX), built on an island in Osaka Bay. It's the best arrival point for Osaka, Kyoto and Nara.
| Option | How it works | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Via an Asian hub | Connect in Singapore, Hong Kong, Seoul or Taipei, which all have frequent flights to Kansai. | Lands you directly at Kansai, and a stopover adds an extra destination |
| Via Tokyo | Fly nonstop to Narita, then take a domestic flight to Osaka, or travel into Tokyo and take the Shinkansen to Shin-Osaka (about 2.5 hrs). | Uses Air New Zealand's nonstop flights, and you can add a few days in Tokyo |
| Via Australia | Fly across the Tasman, then connect to Japan. Jetstar runs seasonal nonstop flights from Melbourne to Kansai. | Worth checking if the Melbourne flight is operating on your dates |
From Kansai Airport into Osaka
JR Haruka to Shin-Osaka
The limited express Haruka runs directly to Shin-Osaka in about 50 minutes and continues to Kyoto. Stark House Osaka Higashimikuni is one subway stop from Shin-Osaka, so it's easy to reach on arrival and a good base for trips across Kansai.
Nankai to Namba
The Nankai Line, including the rapi:t limited express, runs to Namba in southern Osaka in about 35–45 minutes. Good if you're heading to Dotonbori and the Minami area.
More ideas: Where to stay near Shin-Osaka & Higashimikuni · Osaka eating guide · Kansai cultural experiences
New Zealand to Kumamoto: four ways to get there
There are no nonstop flights from New Zealand to Kumamoto, but one connection gets you there. Kumamoto's airport is officially called Aso Kumamoto Airport (code KMJ). It sits east of the city, on the road towards Aso. These are the most practical routes from New Zealand:
| Route | How it works | Connection | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Via Tokyo Narita or Haneda | Air New Zealand nonstop to Narita, then a domestic flight to Kumamoto. | Narita–Kumamoto: Jetstar Japan, about 2 hrs, no need to change airports. Haneda–Kumamoto: many flights a day with JAL and ANA, about 1 hr 45 min, after a 1–1.5 hr transfer from Narita. | Most travellers. Uses the nonstop flights from New Zealand |
| Via Osaka Kansai | Connect to Kansai through an Asian hub, then take the Shinkansen or a domestic flight. | Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Kumamoto: about 3 hrs, no changes on the faster services. Flights also run from Osaka Itami. | Combining Kyoto or Osaka with Kyushu |
| Via Seoul or Taipei | Fly from New Zealand to Seoul (Incheon) or Taipei (Taoyuan), then take a direct international flight to Kumamoto. | Seoul–Kumamoto: Korean Air and Trinity Airlines, daily, about 1 hr 30 min. Taipei–Kumamoto: STARLUX and China Airlines, about 2 hrs. | Flying straight into Kumamoto, or adding a stopover |
| Via Fukuoka | Connect through an Asian hub to Fukuoka, then take the Kyushu Shinkansen. | Fukuoka Airport to Hakata Station by subway: about 5 min. Hakata to Kumamoto by Shinkansen: about 35–40 min. | Pairing Fukuoka with Kumamoto on one trip |
Overview as of October 2026. Flight days, times and fares change by season. Check the airlines' websites for current schedules.
Tips for choosing your route
Stay at Narita for the Jetstar flight
Jetstar Japan flies from Narita to Kumamoto, so you don't need to change airports. Jetstar is usually booked separately from your Air New Zealand ticket, so you'll collect and re-check your bags.
Or switch to Haneda for more choice
Most Kumamoto flights leave from Haneda. The transfer from Narita takes about 1 to 1.5 hours, but you get many more flight times with JAL and ANA.
Give yourself a buffer
Allow at least 2 to 3 hours for an international-to-domestic connection in Japan. You clear immigration and customs at your first airport, collect your bags, and usually change terminals.
Match your arrival time
Air New Zealand's overnight flight from Auckland lands at Narita early in the morning, so you can reach Kumamoto the same day. The daytime flights land in the evening, so spend a night in Tokyo and fly on the next day.
From Kumamoto Airport to your destination
There's no train line into the airport, so most visitors use the bus, the free shuttle or a rental car.
| Option | Goes to | Time and cost | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport limousine bus | Kumamoto city centre and Kumamoto Station | About 50–60 min. Around ¥840 to the Kumamoto Castle area | The most popular option. Runs frequently and accepts IC transit cards |
| Free airport shuttle Airport Liner | JR Higo-Ozu Station | About 15 min. Free | Change to the JR Hohi Line for the city or for Aso |
| Rental car | Aso, Amakusa, Kurokawa Onsen and other areas | Several rental companies near the airport, most with free shuttles | The best way to explore Aso, where public transport is limited |
| Taxi | Accommodation near the airport | Metered | Easiest after an evening arrival with luggage |
Times and fares are a guide only and may change.
Before you go: tips for New Zealand travellers
- Passport and visa-free entryNew Zealand passport holders can visit Japan as tourists for up to 90 days without a visa. Make sure your passport is valid for your whole stay.
- Register on Visit Japan WebEnter your immigration and customs details on Visit Japan Web before you fly. On arrival you show a QR code, which speeds up processing.
- Bring an International Driving PermitTo rent a car you'll need an International Driving Permit (IDP) plus your New Zealand licence and passport. Get the IDP from the AA (New Zealand Automobile Association) before you leave. You can't get one once you're in Japan. Japan drives on the left, just like New Zealand.
- Remember the seasons are reversedNew Zealand's summer holidays fall in Japan's winter. From December to February, Aso can be icy or snowy, so ask the rental company for winter tyres. June to July is the rainy season, and typhoons can disrupt flights from about July to October.
- Pack a plug adapterJapan uses two flat pins (Type A) at 100V. Most phone and laptop chargers work fine, but you'll need an adapter for New Zealand plugs.
- Carry an IC card and some cashBuses and trains accept IC transit cards, but some country restaurants, small shops and car parks are still cash only. Carry some yen.
- Jet lag is minimalJapan is 3 hours behind New Zealand, or 4 hours during New Zealand daylight saving, so you'll adjust quickly.
Make it a bigger trip: Tokyo, Osaka and Kumamoto
Coming all the way from New Zealand, it's worth seeing more than one side of Japan. These two sample itineraries combine Tokyo, the Kansai region and Kumamoto, with a Stark House home at every stop. You'll have room to unpack, cook and do laundry, and travel more like a local.
Book a multi-city ticket for both itineraries, and add the domestic flights or Shinkansen inside Japan. Many travellers send big suitcases ahead to the next city with a luggage delivery service (takkyubin) and travel with just a day bag. Check with your host before sending luggage to your stay.
Itinerary 1: Tokyo in, Tokyo out
About 14 nightsBest if you fly Air New Zealand to Tokyo. You base yourself near Haneda, with easy domestic flights and a quick run to Shinagawa for the Shinkansen.
- Arrive in Tokyo · 3 nightsNew Zealand → Narita, then limousine bus or train to the Haneda area · about 1–1.5 hrs
Check in at Stark House Tokyo Haneda and get over the long flight. Spend your days in Tokyo, Kawasaki and Yokohama.
- Osaka and Kansai · 4 nightsShinkansen Tokyo/Shinagawa → Shin-Osaka · about 2.5 hrs
Board at Shinagawa, which is quick to reach from Haneda. Stay at Stark House Osaka Higashimikuni, one subway stop from Shin-Osaka, a handy base for Osaka food and day trips to Kyoto and Nara.
- Kumamoto and Aso · 4 nightsFly Osaka Itami → Kumamoto · about 1 hr 15 min
Itami Airport is about 25 minutes from Shin-Osaka by airport bus. Stay at Stark House Kumamoto Ozu, near Kumamoto Airport, then pick up a rental car for the Aso volcano country, hot springs and Kumamoto Castle.
Ideas: Kumamoto Airport to Aso road trip · Kumamoto eating guide
- Back to Tokyo · 2 nightsFly Kumamoto → Haneda · about 1 hr 45 min
Return to Stark House Tokyo Haneda for some last shopping and sightseeing, then pack at your own pace.
- Fly homeHaneda area → Narita · about 1–1.5 hrs, then → New Zealand
Flights to New Zealand leave from Narita. Allow plenty of time for the transfer, or spend your last night near Narita if your flight leaves early.
Itinerary 2: Osaka in, Osaka out
About 14 nightsBest if you connect into Kansai Airport through an Asian hub or Australia. You see Kumamoto early in the trip and finish with Osaka's food scene.
- Arrive in Osaka · 3 nightsNew Zealand → Kansai Airport (one connection), then JR Haruka to Shin-Osaka · about 50 min
Stay at Stark House Osaka Higashimikuni and ease into Japan with Osaka's markets, street food and neighbourhoods.
Ideas: Osaka eating guide · Osaka & Kansai museums
- Kumamoto and Aso · 4 nightsFly Itami → Kumamoto · about 1 hr 15 min, or Shinkansen · about 3 hrs
Stay at Stark House Kumamoto Ozu and explore Aso, the hot springs and Kumamoto city by car.
- Tokyo · 4 nightsFly Kumamoto → Haneda · about 1 hr 45 min
Land at Haneda and check in nearby at Stark House Tokyo Haneda. Explore Tokyo and Yokohama, from museums and shrines to a night out.
Ideas: Tokyo cultural experiences · Tokyo & Yokohama anime and manga
- Back to Osaka · 2 nightsShinkansen Shinagawa → Shin-Osaka · about 2.5 hrs
Return to Stark House Osaka Higashimikuni for a last Kyoto day trip or a final round of Osaka eating.
- Fly homeShin-Osaka → Kansai Airport by JR Haruka · about 50 min, then → New Zealand
Shin-Osaka has direct trains to Kansai Airport, so getting to your flight is simple.
Nights and travel times are suggestions. Adjust them to your dates, and check flight and train timetables when you book. Fly-in cities depend on the international flights available from your home city.
In Kumamoto, stay near the airport for an easy start and finish
Stark House Kumamoto Ozu is in Ozu, close to Kumamoto Airport and on the way to Aso. After a long travel day you can check in and rest, and on your last night you won't need to rush from the city to the airport. It's an entire three-bedroom home for up to six guests, with a full kitchen, laundry and an EV charger, so it suits families and longer stays.
View Stark House Kumamoto OzuKeep planning: