Very popular train to Yufuin from Hakata and Oita. Limited Express Yufuin no Mori / Yufu

Yufuin no MoriHakata, Kokura
The newer fleet KIHA 72 series is used for two round trips of Yufuin no Mori. As of July, 2015, one more car was added to this train set. Not it is five cars formation.
2011.06.23
The newer fleet KIHA 72 series is used for two round trips of Yufuin no Mori. As of July, 2015, one more car was added to this train set. Not it is five cars formation.

The newer fleet KIHA 72 series is used for two round trips of Yufuin no Mori. As of July, 2015, one more car was added to this train set. Not it is five cars formation.

These trains connect Hakata (博多) with Yufuin (由布院) and Oita (大分) or Beppu (別府). Yufuin is one of the most popular hot springs resort in Kyushu. This is the train that you need to take when you go to Yufuin. Of course these train’s name are named from Yufuin. “Yufuin no Mori” means Yufuin’s forest. These two trains are operated on same route and fully covered by JR Pass. But Yufuin no Mori is operated by the specialized car, KIHA-71 or 72 series. This express train is one of the best in JR Kyushu train and very very popular. So I strongly recommend to take Yufuin no Mori, not Yufu.

I will explain about the route, schedule and accommodations of these trains in this post.

Route, schedule and trip time

The number of trips are the following:
Yufuin no Mori (ゆふいんの森): 2 round trips between Hakata and Yufuin, and 1 round trip between Hakata and Oita
Yufu (ゆふ): 2 round trips between Hakata and Beppu, and one round trip between Hakata and Oita
These trains connect Hakata with Yufuin in 2 hours 10-15 minutes, and with Oita in 3 hours. There is no difference for the time required between Yufuin no Mori and Yufu. But the accommodation is completely different.

You can check the timetable at JR Kyushu website (English).

Find your hotels in 218 cities throughout Japan!!!

Hotels and Ryokans in Kumamoto
Hotels and Ryokans in Beppu
Hotels in Oita

Stations
Hakata (博多)x
Futsukaichi (二日市)x
Tosu (鳥栖)x
Kurume (久留米)x
Kurume Daigakumae (久留米大学前)*
Tanushimaru (田主丸)*
Chikugo-Yoshii (筑後吉井)x
Ukiha (うきは)*
Hita (日田)x
Amagase (天ヶ瀬)x
Bungomori (豊後森)x
Bungo-Nakamura (豊後中村)x
Yufuin (由布院)x
Yunohira (湯平)x
Mukainoharu (向之原)x
Oita (大分)x
Beppu (別府)*

x:All train stop *:Some of trains stop


View Yufuin no Mori in a larger map

Limited Express Yufuin no Mori is operated by KIHA-71 series. (C) Sonic Rail Garden

One round trip of Limited Express Yufuin no Mori is operated by KIHA-71 series. (C) Sonic Rail Garden

Accommodation and train formations

Both Yufuin no Mori and Yufu do not have any green car.
Yufuin no Mori is operated by KIHA-71 or KIHA-72 series. KIHA-72 is newer than KIHA-71. Those trains are produced for the resort express train to Yufuin hot springs resort. Even though these trains have no green car, those give you a higher passengers seat and it offers a great view through huge windows. Those trains have same concept and same shape. Either KIHA-71 or 72 will satisfy your riding experience.

Yufu is operated by KIHA 185 series. This is not bad but it is nothing special.

*Sonic Rail Garden has copyright for all images of accommodations below.

You may see lots of this logo inside and outside of this train. (C) Sonic Rail Garden

You may see lots of this logo inside and outside of this train. (C) Sonic Rail Garden

Yufuin no Mori KIHA-71 series

The seat configurations are 2+2 and the seat pitch is 960mm. There are “Buffet” (Cafeteria) and salon space. Usually this series is used for Yufuin no Mori #3 and #4.

Images

Ordinary seat
Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series ordinary seat Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series ordinary seat Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series ordinary seat Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series ordinary seat Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series ordinary seat Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series ordinary seat Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series ordinary seat Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series ordinary seat

Buffet (Cafeteria and kiosk)
Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series Buffet (Cafeteria) Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series Buffet (Cafeteria) Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series Buffet (Cafeteria) Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series Buffet (Cafeteria) Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series Buffet (Cafeteria) Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series Buffet (Cafeteria) Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series Buffet (Cafeteria) Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series Buffet (Cafeteria) Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series Buffet (Cafeteria) Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series Buffet (Cafeteria) Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series Buffet (Cafeteria)

Salon space
Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series Salon space Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series Salon space Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series Salon space Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series Salon space Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series Salon space Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series Salon space Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series Salon space Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series Salon space Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series Salon space Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series Salon space Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series Salon space Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series Salon space

Sanitary space
Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series Sanitary space Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series Sanitary space Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series Sanitary space Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series Sanitary space

Passenger’s deck and common space
Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series Common space Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series Common space Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series Common space Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series Common space Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series Common space Yufuin no Mori KIHA71 series Common space

Train formation

1234
RR/BS/RR

R=Reserved ordinary seat B=Buffet (cafeteria and kiosk) S=Salon space

Yufuin no Mori KIHA-72 series

This is newer than KIHA-71 series. But it looks very similar. The concept of this series is almost same as KIHA-71, like higher passenger’s deck and buffet. But this series does not have any salon space. The seat configurations are 2+2 and the seat pitch is 1000mm. These cars give you a bigger leg space. There are “Buffet” (Cafeteria) too. And this series has semi compartment on car #3. Usually this series is used for Yufuin no Mori #1, #2, #5 and #6.

Images

Ordinary seat
Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series ordinary seat Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series ordinary seat Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series ordinary seat Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series ordinary seat Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series ordinary seat Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series ordinary seat Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series ordinary seat Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series ordinary seat Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series ordinary seat Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series ordinary seat Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series ordinary seat

Semi compartment on Car #3
Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series ordinary seat semi compartment Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series ordinary seat semi compartment Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series ordinary seat semi compartment Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series ordinary seat semi compartment Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series ordinary seat semi compartment Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series ordinary seat semi compartment Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series ordinary seat semi compartment

Buffet (Cafeteria and kiosk)
Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series Buffet (Cafeteria) Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series Buffet (Cafeteria) Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series Buffet (Cafeteria) Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series Buffet (Cafeteria) Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series Buffet (Cafeteria) Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series Buffet (Cafeteria) Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series Buffet (Cafeteria), The menu shows you that Bento is 750 yen, Fried noodle is 700 yen, soft drinks are 100 to 350 yen. Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series Buffet (Cafeteria), This menu shows you that snacks and dessert are 200 to 850 yen. Original goods are 300 to 2000 yen.

Sanitary space
Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series Sanitary space Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series Sanitary space Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series Sanitary space Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series Sanitary space Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series Sanitary space Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series Sanitary space Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series Sanitary space Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series Sanitary space Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series Sanitary space Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series Sanitary space

Passenger’s deck and common space
Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series Common space Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series Common space Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series Common space Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series Common space Yufuin no Mori KIHA72 series Common space

Train formation

1234
RRB/RR

R=Reserved ordinary seat B=Buffet (cafeteria and kiosk)

KIHA 185 series is the standard car for Yufu. (C) Sonic Rail Garden

KIHA 185 series is the standard car for Yufu. (C) Sonic Rail Garden

Yufu KIHA-185 series

This train is the standard train. This is okay. But Yufuin no Mori is way better than this train. The seat configuration is 2+2. This series has been restored several times. So the seat pitch is 940 mm and some cars give you more space, 1020 mm. Yufu does not have any dining facilities and on board sales. So please buy something to eat and drink before boarding.

*Be careful!!! When KIHA 71 or 72 series for Yufuin no Mori is in maintenance, this 185 series is replaced.

Images

Ordinary seat
Yufu KIHA185 series ordinary seat Yufu KIHA185 series ordinary seat Yufu KIHA185 series ordinary seat Yufu KIHA185 series ordinary seat

Sanitary space
Yufu KIHA185 series sanitary space

Train formation

123
RR/NRR

R=Reserved ordinary seat NR=Non reserved ordinary seat

Comments

  1. Kevin Khua says:
    June 29, 2015 at 6:40 pm

    Hi Takeshi-san,

    I’ll be visiting Fuluoka in early December with my family.
    My wife is very keen in taking the Yufuin no Mori train and need some advise from you on how to secure tickets for this train.
    Undertstand that if we are using the Kyushu Rail pass (3/5 days, Northern area), we can only purchase the Yufuin no Mori tickets when we reach Fukuoka,.
    Was thinking to purchase the Yufuin no Mori tickets separately (not using the Kyushu 3/5 days Rail pass), wondering whether is it possible for my Sis (who is staying in Fukuoka) to help purchase the train tickets? How early can my Sis help to book the tickets, 1 month in advance? Does Sis needs any particulars from us, passport info…etc for the booking?

    Hope to hear from you soon.

    Thanks!
    Kevin

  2. yoko says:
    March 13, 2015 at 10:10 pm

    Dear Sir/Madam,

    i am confused the ticket fare.

    For example,

    Route1

    Take time: 180 Minutes Transfer: 2 Times Distance: 190.8 km
    Total:¥ 6,750(TicketFare:¥ 3,990 Seat Fee:¥ 2,760) Commuting ticket(1mon:¥ — 3mon:¥ — 6mon:¥ — )

    12:09
    begin YUFUIN
    Station timetable | Add to favorite

    [127 Min]
    through
    LTD. EXP YUFUIN NO MORI 2

    . Train timetable | Interval timetable

    Reserved seat: ¥1,740

    14:16
    14:19
    transfer HAKATA
    [ Arrival track No.5 / Departure track No.2 ]
    Station timetable | Add to favorite

    [35 Min]
    through
    LTD. EXP SONIC 31

    14:54
    15:06
    transfer KUROSAKI

    [3 Min]
    through
    JR Kagoshima Line Rapid

    15:09

    end YAHATA
    Add to favorite

    . ¥3,990.
    Green seat: ¥1,540Reserved seat: ¥1,020Unreserved seat: ¥510

    ————————————————————————————————————-
    May I know the fare should be ¥ 6,750(TicketFare:¥ 3,990 Seat Fee:¥ 2,760) or ¥3,990?

    Thanks,
    Yoko

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      March 14, 2015 at 1:16 pm

      Hi Yoko,

      “Fare” is base fare. This is required to take any train. Seat fee is applied to express train. There are Green (business class), reserved (ordinary class) and non reserved (ordinary class). In this sample, Yufuin no Mori has only reserved seat. You have to pay reserved seat fee 1740 yen. Limited Express Sonic has Green and Ordinary. And there are two kinds of ordinary, non reserved and reserved. If you want to secure the seat, you have to pay 1540 yen or 1020 yen.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  3. yoko says:
    March 13, 2015 at 9:02 pm

    Dear Sir/Madam,

    I shall fly to Kumamoto Airport and take the bus to Yufuin directly for a stay. Afterwards, I want to go to Kukura. Should I purchase a 3-day JR North Kyushu Pass? I understand I need to pick up the pass at Kumamoto station. However, i will not go through the Kumamoto station as i said above (taking bus from airport to Yufuin). How can I do?

    In JR Kyushu’s website, the pass can also be picked up at JR Kyushu Travel in Kumamoto. However, I cannot see the address in the website. Is it at Kumamoto Airport?

    In case I can get the above pass, can I get an one way ticket from Yufuin station to Kokura (via Oita/Beppu)? Is the fare approx. JPY5,000? May I have the timetable?

    I am grateful if you could reply reply to me soon.

    Have a nice day 🙂

    Thanks & regards,
    Yoko

  4. Eff says:
    March 5, 2015 at 9:16 pm

    Hi Takeshi,

    We are a group of 4 people and will be travelling to Fukuoka from 16-18. March. We would like to travel to Yufuin from Hakata on 18th March. The ideal arrival time is 10.30-11.00 am. We found that the cheapest and also the faster train cost 4,550 YEN/one way. Is there anything cheaper than this?

    Should we book the ticket in advance or we can get the tickets at JR station in Hakata when we arrive on 16th March?

    Is there any 3 day ticket that cover Yufuin area? We are planing to spend the other 2 day travelling in Fukuoka city and around.

    Thank you so much for your help.

  5. Eva says:
    February 16, 2015 at 1:36 am

    Hi, Takeshi

    I would like to take the Yufuin no Mori from Hakata to Yufuin in July 2015, but i can find time table or schedule for this years. Can you help me for sending or reply me, please?

    So i have to hoping to a board limited express ;D

    thanks for help.

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      February 16, 2015 at 12:50 pm

      Hi Eva,

      I showed the timetable at the link below:
      https://jprail.com/travel-informations/seasonal-trains-schedule/schedule-of-2015-spring-seasonal-trains-of-japan-railways.html
      You will find it at almost bottom of this post.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

      • Eva says:
        February 16, 2015 at 8:16 pm

        Hi, Takeshi

        thanks for kindness 😀

        So I’m not sure, I’m understand correctly I search JR timetable in hyperdia.com. for july, 2015 from Hakata to Yufuin

        The website is show result as LTD. EXP YUFU 1 that it’s mean Yufuin on KIHA-72 series,right?

        As well as LTD. EXP YUFU 3 that it’s mean Yufuin on KIHA-71 series,right?

        And in this case, at link “Schedule of 2015 spring seasonal trains of japan railways” , if i’m boarding about 6 July, 2015 on Station/Train #1. I will to take “Yufu” Train that is meaning Yufu KIHA-185 series, right?

        Thanks, again

        • Takeshi / JPRail says:
          February 16, 2015 at 11:02 pm

          Hi Eva,

          I think Hyperdia does not show correct dates. The dates I show in “Schedule of 2015 spring seasonal trains of japan railways” are correct. I found these dates at JR Kyushu official site.

          You understand it correctly. Yufuin no Mori #1 will be operated as Yufu on July 6.

          Cheers,

          Takeshi / JP Rail

  6. Nar says:
    February 15, 2015 at 9:21 pm

    hi,
    I’ve JR pass, is it necessary to RESERVE seats before boarding on Yufuin no Mori?

    best regards

  7. Lawrence says:
    February 7, 2015 at 6:21 am

    I will be spending three nights in Fukuoka, Hakata area on 12-14 Feb. Is it possible to make a day trip to Yufuin from Hakata? When is the first and last Yufuin no Mori train to go there and come back; and how much is the return train (to & back) fares per person. Thank you.

  8. Pat Yan says:
    December 9, 2014 at 9:02 pm

    Hello Takeshi-san,

    Our family of 3 is doing an overnight trip to Yufuin from Fukuoka on 30/12 to 31/12.
    Please advise if we need to book the bus or train ticket in advance.
    If yes, please advise where can i buy it from.

    Thank you
    Pat Yan

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      December 10, 2014 at 12:04 am

      Hi Pat Yan,

      Reservation is required for bus and recommended for train. But there is no way to book train from outside of Japan. But bus can be booked at the link below:
      http://www.atbus-de.com.e.jo.hp.transer.com/

      I have never used this site. So I don’t know the procedure. And this is machine translation site. You may not be able to understand at some part of this site.

      I hope you will make it.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  9. Jeff says:
    December 2, 2014 at 11:40 am

    Hello Takeshi-san!

    I am planning a trip to Fukuoka from Jan 21-25. The first 3 nights are near Hakata station, but I’ve booked a hot spring hotel in Yufuin on the 24th. Check in at 3pm, and our flight out of Japan is at 6pm on the 25th.

    Do you have any advice for reservations for taking the Yufuin no Mori? What do you think are our chances for getting a reservation during that time? Is it possible to make a reservation at the airport JR station?

    Sorry for the many questions! Thank you!!!

    • Takeshi / JPRail says:
      December 2, 2014 at 2:59 pm

      Hi Jeff san,

      I think it will be okay. Mid January is the slowest season of the year.
      You can’t make a reservation at the airport. At Fukuoka airport, it’s a subway station, not JR. You can make it at Hakata.

      Cheers,

      Takeshi / JP Rail

  10. Jonthan says:
    November 30, 2014 at 6:53 am

    Hello,

    I plan to travel from Yufuin to Beppu (Feb, 22 or 23, 2015),
    I will appreciate it if you can give reply the below.

    – How many trains are there in day?
    – What would the fare be for an adult and a children?

    Thank you!

1234…6
Copied title and URL