An axis movement method and an axis movement apparatus, in which the time required for non-cutting movement is reduced. Sections 2 and 5 are curved paths each starting in the same direction of the immediatly preceding path and a tool is accelerated to a speed for a rapid motion in the next path. The section 2 is succeeded by another curved path in which the tool is decelerated to a speed adapted to the next path. A quick axis movement can be completed within a short time without intermittent motions or shocks to the machine.