Kumamoto Airport is a small regional airport and the gateway to Kumamoto, located 15 minutes from JR Higoozu Station by free shuttle. The free shuttle to JR Higoozu Station departs every 30 minutes and takes about 15 minutes. On the first floor, buses to Sakuramachi Bus Terminal leave from platforms 3 and 4, and the fourth-floor observation deck looks out over the runway. The international departure area has almost no duty-free shops or stores.