One Piece Statues Kumamoto Map: Locations, Best Routes, and the Easiest Way to Visit Them

If you’re looking for a One Piece statues Kumamoto map, here’s the truth up front: the 10 statues are spread out across the prefecture, and travel time can be very different from what “looks close” on Google Maps.

You will need at least 3 days to complete the visit of all 10 statues if you choose to travel via public transport. A few statues are fairly easy to pair with public transportation, but others involve long gaps between buses, last-mile walking, or mountain roads that simply take time with the furthest statue being at least 2 hours away from Kumamoto station.

This guide is designed to make planning simple. Here’s what you’ll find below:

• A clear way to use your Kumamoto One Piece statues map for planning
• A realistic view of which locations are easy vs remote
• A recommended 1-day vs 2-day route ideas via public transport

And if you’d rather skip the logistics entirely, you’ll also see the easiest option: visiting the statues with a private guide and driver who can optimize the route, pace the day around you and maybe add a lunch stop of your preference.

One Piece Statues Kumamoto Map (All Locations at a Glance)

Once you see the full map, the next question is accessibility.

One Piece Statues Locations: What’s Easy vs Remote (The 3 Access Levels)

Below is a planning-first way to group the statues by “how hard they feel” to reach, based on the last-mile walk and the type of bus/train connection. If you have enough time throughout your stay, you can pick and choose from the below levels.

Level 1: Step off and you’re basically there (lowest friction)

These are the stops where you get off and you’re immediately at the statue area, so they’re the easiest to slot into a day, especially if you’re doing a partial route.

• Luffy: Get off at Kumamoto Prefectural Office (熊本県庁前) and it’s “right there.” 
  
  • Google Maps link to the statue from Kumamoto Station
• Usopp: Get off at Aso Station (阿蘇駅前) and it’s immediate. 
  
  • Google Maps link to the statue from Kumamoto Station
• Franky: Get off at the Takamori station area stop (高森駅交流施設) and it’s immediate. 
  
  • Google Maps link to the statue from Kumamoto Station

Best for: first-timers, short trips, “I want at least my favorite Straw Hat” plans.

Level 2: Short, reasonable walk (easy, but still needs timing)

These are the statues where you can reach the right stop by bus, then do a short walk (about 2–11 minutes). The direct links to the statues and public transportation options that you can follow based on when you decide to take the trip are below:

• Nami: From Moenosato / Tawarayama trailhead stop (萌の里・俵山登山口) → 2 min walk 
  
  • Google Maps link to the statue from Kumamoto Station
• Jinbe: From Nagabeta (長部田) → 5 min walk 
  
  • Google Maps link to the statue from Kumamoto Station
• Chopper: From Zoological and Botanical Garden Entrance stop (動植物園入口) → 10 min walk 
  
  • Google Maps link to the statue from Kumamoto Station
• Sanji: From Kiyama Sanko stop (木山産交) → 10 min walk
  
  • Google Maps link to the statue from Kumamoto Station
• Zoro: From Ozu Station (大津駅前) area stop → 10 min walk 
  
  • Google Maps link to the statue from Kumamoto Station
• Brook: From Mifune-bashi (御船橋) → 11 min walk 
  
  • Google Maps link to the statue from Kumamoto Station

Reality check: These are “easy on paper,” but you still need to align bus schedules/transfers if you want to cover as many statues as possible. It’s also important to consider the timing of the transportation back. This is where many travellers start preferring a private driver or a private tour guide for a smoother pace.

Level 3: Long last-mile walk (doable, but feels like work)

This is where plans often fall apart if you’re on a tight schedule (or travelling with kids/parents).

• Robin: From Aso Farm Land stop (阿蘇ファームランド) → ~25 min walk / ~1.8 km 
  
  • Google Maps link to the statue from Kumamoto Station

Best for: Confident and active planners with flexible timing.

If you want to include multiple visits, you need to ensure that you choose spots based on how close they are to one another, rather than focusing solely on how easy they are to visit. Of course, if you have multiple days and are willing to spend most of your time visiting different spots across those days, you can opt for the easier options only. However, if you want to cover multiple statues in the same day, that is usually when a private guide or driver becomes the simplest option.

Can You Do It Without a Car? Realistic Options Compared

Photo by Traveler Nathaly L.

Yes, it’s possible to visit some of the One Piece statues without a car, especially the statues closer to central Kumamoto and major stations. The challenge is that several statues are far apart, and the last stretch from the nearest stop can be a long walk, sometimes on roads that are not very pedestrian-friendly. Below are the most realistic ways to do it, with tradeoffs so you can choose what fits your time and travel style.

Option A: Public transit (tram, buses, trains)

• Best for: visiting the easiest statues, travelers who enjoy slow travel, anyone staying in central Kumamoto
• What to expect: you can cover a few statues smoothly, but transfers and bus frequency can turn “short” distances into long travel time.

Helpful official links:

• Kumamoto City Tram and local transit info (Kumamoto City Transportation Bureau): Up-to-date timetable and route search.
• Sanko Bus (major local bus operator): Up-to-date route, fare, and timetable search.
• Kumamoto Dentetsu (local railway lines): Up-to-date train timetable and fare search.
• JR Kyushu (regional rail): English site for train info and planning.
• Kumamoto City Official Guide inner city transportation overview: Visitor-friendly summary.

Option B: Rental car (fastest if you can drive)

• Best for: Travellers who prefer comfortable driving in Japan who want maximum flexibility
• What to expect: This is the easiest way to cover distant statues efficiently, but you will need the right documents to drive legally in Japan. Many travellers forget this and only realise it at the counter.

Important note: You generally need an International Driving Permit to rent and drive in Japan, depending on the country that issued your licence. As with driving in any other country, there are unspoken local cues you should understand to ensure safe and courteous driving.

Option C: Private driver-guide (most convenient, lowest friction)

• Best for: Families, mixed-interest groups, short stays, and anyone without an IDP
• What to expect: This is the smoothest way to connect far-apart statues, reduce transfer stress, and avoid long last-mile walks. It’s also the easiest way to build a day that includes other scenic viewpoints, café/food breaks, and photo stops without constantly watching the clock.

Visiting even one remote statue can quickly turn into a logistics puzzle.

A quick message to a guide can help you understand what’s realistically possible in a single day. Several travelers mentioned that the real difference was having someone who handled the driving, timing, and even small details like hotel check-in, if that sounds useful, you can reach out to the guide directly to talk it through.

1-Day Route vs 2-Day Route (Fast vs Relaxed)

Photo by Traveler Paris A.

Below are public transportation itineraries that stay realistic. It’s normal to skip a few stops, unless you add a third day or use a private guide-driver.

If you have 1 day (best for highlights + efficient routing)

• Who it fits: Tight schedules, casual fans, families with limited time
• What to prioritise: Favourites plus the easiest clusters close to Kumamoto City

Please note that the times below are rough estimates and can change based on day, season, and bus schedules. Always check the latest timetables before you go.

1-day public transit itinerary (Kumamoto City + nearby towns)

This route keeps transfers manageable and avoids the most time-heavy, remote stops.

• Chopper (Kumamoto City Zoological and Botanical Gardens area)
  Takes approximately 50 mins from Kumamoto Station
• Luffy (Kumamoto Prefectural Government Office)
  Takes approximately 15 mins from Chopper’s Statue (Or 31 mins walk)
• Sanji (Mashiki, Minaterasu area)
  Takes approximately 45 mins from Luffy’s Statue
• Brook (Mifune, Fureai Hiroba area)
  Takes approximately 40 mins from Sanji’s Statue

Optional add-on if timing works well

• Jinbe (Uto, Sumiyoshi Coast Park area)
  Takes approximately 2 hours and 15 mins from Brook’s statue

If you started your visit early and it is not too dark yet, you could also consider visiting the Okoshiki Coast to observe the sunset, paired with the sandbars at low tide. This can be a long detour on public transit, so only add it if you start early and are comfortable with a late return.

For those worried about long detours, late returns, or missed connections, starting a conversation with a guide can help set realistic expectations for your day.

If you have 2 days (best for all or most statues + scenery)

Use the recommended Day 1 itinerary above for the first day. For the second day, once you’re in the Aso and South Aso region the stops are relatively easy but you still need a little more planning with public transportation. Here’s our suggestion:

Morning:

• Nami (Moe-no-sato/Tawarayama Tozanguchi)
  Takes approximately 1 hour 25 mins from Kumamoto Station
• Franky (Takamori Station Exchange Facility)
  Takes approximately 40 mins from Nami’s Statue

Services are not frequent, so ensure that you check up-to-date transportation near the date of travel to avoid waiting for hours at a local stop without other sightseeing options or worse, running out of time to go to your next planned stops.

Afternoon:

From Takamori, you can connect via Minami Aso Railway. You can choose from 2 options for the afternoon:

• Usopp (Aso Station, right by the stop)
  Takes approximately 1 hour 15 mins to 1 hour 40 mins from Franky’s Statue, depending on what’s available at the time of travel
• Robin (Only if you’re up for a 25 mins walk. Former Tokai University Aso Campus, Minamiaso)
  Takes approximately 1.5 hours all together including the 25 mins walk from Aso Farm Land

With careful planning and detailed checks on updated transportation options before and during your travel, you may feel a sense of achievement after completing this journey of statue hunting. However, if your main purpose is to see all 10 statues without logistical stress and the excitement of local sightseeing and cultural experiences through locally recommended food stops, hiring a private tour guide will be an experience you would not regret. You can find out more by simply sending a message to the guide of your choice before you decide on a fixed plan for your Kumamoto visit.

One Piece Statue Tour: Self-Guided vs Private Guide (Which should you choose?)

Both approaches work, depending on your travel style.

Choose to go self-guided if:

• You only want to see 1-3 easy statues during your stay
• You are willing to dedicate a full 3 days in visiting statues during your stay in Kumamoto
• You like to plan by the minute
• You are willing to rent a car and have an IDP

Choose to go with a private guide/driver if:

• You want to complete all 10 Statues without stress in a day
• You want to see other sightseeing spots along the way
• You want a smooth trip with a lovely lunch spot recommended by a local

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I visit all 10 statues in 1-day via public transportation?

Doing all 10 statues in a single day using only public transportation is extremely difficult and usually not realistic, because connections and last-mile walking time add up quickly. If your goal is all 10 in one day, most travelers choose either a rental car (with an IDP) or a private driver-guide so the route can be optimized.

How do I visit all 10 statues in 1-day?

There are 2 options:

1. You can rent your own car for the day if you want to visit all 10 statues. Ensure that you have an International Driving Permit to rent a car for the day, and you should also learn the driving rules in Japan if you plan to do so.
2. You can hire a private tour guide to visit all 10 One Piece Statues with a lunch stop too!

How do I rent a car in Japan?

There are many car rental services. Type Rent-a-car near by your accommodation in Google Maps. Ensure that you prepare an International Driving Permit before travelling to Japan too.

Are the statues located near other sightseeing spots?

The statues are spread throughout Kumamoto Prefecture, so their sightseeing value may not be immediately obvious, especially for first-time visitors. While the surrounding areas have their own local charm, having guidance from a local can greatly enhance the experience. If you want to make sure you do not miss nearby attractions, consider hiring a private tour guide who can incorporate additional sightseeing stops into your itinerary near the statues you will be visiting.

Conclusion

Kumamoto’s One Piece statues are one of those experiences that feels simple in theory and surprisingly time-consuming in practice. With the statues spread across the prefecture, the best plan is the one that matches your travel style. Choose a few easy stops if you want a relaxed day, or follow a 2-day plan if you want to explore more of Aso and South Aso at a comfortable pace. If you are relying on public transportation, always check the latest bus and train schedules close to your travel date, and build in extra buffer time for connections and walking.

If your goal is to see as many statues as possible without spending your trip calculating transfers, a private driver-guide is the easiest way to turn this into a smooth, enjoyable day. You can customize the route around your favorite Straw Hats, add a lunch stop you will genuinely look forward to, and keep the pace friendly for families and mixed-interest groups.

Message a private guide to plan your One Piece statues route in Kumamoto, and get a realistic itinerary based on your dates, starting point, and must-see statues. We also have ready made tours made uniquely by our guides.