One map, pinned from each airport’s published coordinates.
Category scores
Overall is the published weighted sum. A highlighted score is ahead; a tie stays plain.
Ease of use
25% · Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
KMI7.0+0.2
KMJ6.8
Comfort & amenities
20% · Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
KMI6.5
KMJ7.2+0.7
Food & retail
15% · Food and retail quality and variety.
KMI5.6
KMJ5.8+0.2
Ground access
15% · Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
KMI7.6+2.2
KMJ5.4
Reliability
15% · Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
KMI6.0
KMJ6.6+0.6
Lounges
10% · Worth-it density and access quality.
KMI5.7+1.5
KMJ4.2
Best for
KMI
Domestic trips to Haneda, Itami, and FukuokaTravelers who want a train at the terminalA short landside wait on a Japanese gold card
KMJ
Korea and Taiwan departures from one terminalDomestic departures if your card is on the Lounge ASO listDrivers using the 2,379-space lot
Watch out for
KMI
Eastar Seoul is marked suspended, and the dated Asiana block ends 16 December 2026Domestic bag drop closes 20 minutes before departure (Peach 30)Parking entry is closed 23:00–05:00No current on-time percentage is published; the Cirium award is for 2022
KMJ
No rail; the limousine to Kumamoto Station is about 65 minutesNo lounge after international passport controlShanghai and Hong Kong are marked suspendedFog is common, and the FAQ still says the airport liner is free
Amenities and tips
KMI
JR at the terminalBougain Lounge Hinata5 GHz Wi-Fi1F food and 3F restaurantsFamily rooms2F shops
Domestic counters close 20 minutes out
With bags, or if you still need to pay, finish the counter 20 minutes before departure. Peach is 30 minutes. Be through security 20 minutes before departure. International check-in closes 50 minutes before.
Use the dated Seoul rows
Asiana's operating block is 24 August 2026 to 16 December 2026: Wednesday and Friday 12:30, Sunday 19:10. Older undated rows are still on the page. Eastar ZE662 is marked suspended. Tigerair Taipei is listed Monday and Friday without a suspension note.
Hinata is landside and priced
Bougain Lounge Hinata is on the west side of the 1F lobby, ¥1,100 for two hours, or the basic fee waived with a physical Japanese gold-or-higher card and same-day boarding proof. Lounge Oyodo is airside; the airport page does not print its entry rules.
KMJ
KUMAMOTO Free Wi-FiLounge ASOWheelchairsBus, not rail
No train at the terminal
The limousine to Kumamoto Station is stand 4, about 65 minutes and ¥1,400. The Higo-Ozu liner is ¥200, not free.
Domestic and international share the 2023 terminal
Lounge ASO is in the domestic departure hold. You cannot use it after exit immigration.
The doors open at 6:30
Entry before 6:30 is refused. Airfield hours in the use rules are 7:30–21:30.
KMI · A single-terminal national airport with a real JR station and a priced landside lounge, but only a few international flights and no published security wait.
KMJ · Aso Kumamoto is a single-terminal civil airport in Mashiki with a March 2023 building, a 3,000 m runway, and scheduled flights to Korea and Taiwan. There is no rail at the door, and the only airside lounge is on the domestic side of immigration.
