Major city · Japan
Minamata水俣
Half a day for the disease museum and coast; one night if you add a hot spring. Not a base for Kyushu travel.
Minamata is known for the mercury poisoning disaster that gave the world the name Minamata disease. The town sits on the Shiranui Coast and has a free museum documenting the tragedy, plus nearby hot springs. Most visitors come for a few hours from Kumamoto or Kagoshima on the Shinkansen.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- JPY
- Best months
- Mar–May, Oct–Nov
- avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jan–Feb (cold)
- Airports
- KMJ · KOJ
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 5
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- Japan ↗IC cards (ICOCA/Suica) are topped up with cash at station machines.
- Japan ↗Smoking while walking is banned in most city centres; use designated areas.
- Japan ↗Shinkansen bags 160–250 cm (L+W+H) need a seat reserved with the oversized-baggage area.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Minamata110 ▾
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Minamata, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Cities are increasingly cashless; temples, small restaurants and some lodging taxes still want cash.Japan-wide
- SIM or eSIMData-only eSIMs are the easy route: buy before you fly; voice SIMs need a residence card.Japan-wide
- Tap waterSafe from the tap everywhere; stations and parks have fountains.Japan-wide
- TippingRestaurants and bars: No tip; staff will chase you to return money left on the table.Japan-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 100 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Japan-wide
- SafetyVery safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree, clean public toilets in stations, parks and konbini; paper goes in the toilet.Japan-wide
- Emergency numbers110 police · 119 fire and ambulance · 050-3816-2787 Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMuseums close on Mondays (Tuesday when Monday is a holiday); many family restaurants close one weekday, often Tuesday or Wednesday…Japan-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportKMJ Kumamoto Airport (Bus to Kumamoto Station (about 1 h), then Shinkansen to Shin-Minamata (40 min)).
- Getting aroundSanko Bus runs from both Minamata and Shin-Minamata stations to the museum and hot springs.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee¥300–500 (≈ US$3–4)
- Street or quick mealRamen bowl¥700–1,000 (≈ US$5–7)
- BeerBeer (can at konbini)¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from station to museum¥1,500–2,000 (≈ US$11–14)
- Metro or bus rideBus ride (single)¥200–400 (≈ US$2–3)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person¥3,500 (≈ US$25)
- Mid-range bedBusiness hotel double room, a night, per room¥12,000 (≈ US$85)
- High-end bedBusiness hotel double room, a night, per room¥20,000 (≈ US$140)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ¥5,000 (≈ US$35) · Mid ¥10,000 (≈ US$70) · High ¥20,000 (≈ US$140)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- KMJ Kumamoto Airport (Bus to Kumamoto Station (about 1 h), then Shinkansen to Shin-Minamata (40 min)) · KOJ Kagoshima Airport (Bus to Kagoshima-Chuo Station (about 50 min), then Shinkansen to Shin-Minamata (35 min))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
Feb
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Mar
Best
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
not flagged
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Sep
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Nov
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Dec
not flagged
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
Best: Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Avoid: Jan–Feb, Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Aug (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C) low), wettest Jun (15 rain days), driest Jan (8). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Minamata: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
8 rd
Feb
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
9 rd
Mar
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
12 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
11 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
11 rd
Jun
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
15 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
13 rd
Aug
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12 rd
Oct
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9 rd
Nov
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
8 rd
Dec
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
8 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Sanko Bus runs from both Minamata and Shin-Minamata stations to the museum and hot springs. Taxis are available at the station. Walking is possible in the compact centre.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1.5 h
Local train or bus via Kuma River area, about 1 h
Known for the Kuma River rafting and hot springs.
Door to door: About 1.25 h
Hisatsu Orange Railway, about 1 h
Castle ruins and Myokenzan temple; good for a half-day.
Door to door: About 2 h
Bus via Matsushima, about 1.5 h
Island scenery and dolphin watching; requires a full day.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Shin-Minamata Station area
Closest to the Shinkansen; a few business hotels and ryokan.
Yunoko Onsen
Hot spring town 5 km (3.1 mi) south; ryokan with baths and sea views.Hot spring town 3.1 mi (5 km) south; ryokan with baths and sea views.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ¥5,000–8,000 (≈ US$35–55) excl. bed
- Mid
- ¥8,000–15,000 (≈ US$55–110) excl. bed
- High
- ¥15,000 (≈ US$110)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Business hotel double room1 × 1 night × ¥12,000 | ¥12,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ¥10,000 | ¥20,000 |
| Shinkansen Kumamoto → Shin-Minamata (one way, reserved)2 × ¥4,500 · check | ¥9,000 |
| Bus to museum (round trip)2 × ¥600 · check | ¥1,200 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ¥4,220 |
| Trip total≈ ¥23,210 per person per day, bed included | ¥46,420≈ US$350 |
2026 estimate in yen; flights and rail passes excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | ¥300–500 (≈ US$3–4) |
| Ramen bowl | ¥700–1,000 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Beer (can at konbini) | ¥250–350 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Taxi from station to museum | ¥1,500–2,000 (≈ US$11–14) |
| Bus ride (single) | ¥200–400 (≈ US$2–3) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The museum is closed on Mondays (or Tuesday if Monday is a holiday).
- No English signage at the hot springs; check if they accept day visitors.
- Cash only at many small shops and ryokan.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 110
- Fire and ambulance
- 119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)
- 050-3816-2787
Pocket card
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Minamata水俣
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ここまでお願いしますTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police110
- Fire and ambulance119
- Japan Visitor Hotline (24 h, English)050-3816-2787
Embassy
The US consulate in Fukuoka covers this area; most other countries have embassies in Tokyo.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Shin-Minamata → Kumamoto, Shinkansen: about ¥4,500 (≈ US$35) reserved, 40 min (check)
- Shin-Minamata → Kagoshima-Chuo, Shinkansen: about ¥4,000 (≈ US$30) reserved, 35 min (check)
- Bus to museum from station: about ¥300 (≈ US$3) (check)
Say or show
- すみません — Excuse me / Sorry (sumimasen)
- ありがとうございます — Thank you (arigatou gozaimasu)
- いくらですか？ — How much is it? (ikura desu ka)
- 資料館はどこですか？ — Where is the museum? (shiryōkan wa doko desu ka)
- カードで払えますか？ — Can I pay by card? (kādo de haraemasu ka)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Minamata. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Mar–May, Oct–Nov · avoid Jul–Aug (hot and humid), Jan–Feb (cold) · month by month →
- 2 airports and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for the museum and hot springs with verified hours and entry rules.
- Walking route from Shin-Minamata Station to the museum with waypoints.
- Ryokan booking page for Yunoko Onsen with onsen etiquette notes.
Sources
Ask about Minamata
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