If you will travel in Kyushu only, JR Kyushu sells Kyushu Area Pass which offers unlimited train travel at very affordable price. There are four types of passes, All Kyushu, Northern Kyushu, Southern Kyushu and Fukuoka Wide. You can choose one of these four types by your trip plan.
In this post, I show you the details about all types of Kyushu Area Pass. And I will compare Kyushu Rail Pass and a regular fare. You may find the way to get the worth of the pass.
Types and prices
Kyushu Area Pass have four types, All area pass, Northern area pass, Southern area pass and Fukuoka wide pass. Each types have 3-day and 5-day. I would like to compare these prices and single fare.
| Types/Price | 7-day | 5-day | 3-day |
|---|---|---|---|
| All area | 20,000 yen Child 10,000 yen | 18,500 yen Child 9,250 yen | 17,000 yen Child 8,500 yen |
| Northern | – | 14,000 yen Child 7,000 yen | 10,000 yen Child 5,000 yen |
| Southern | – | – | 8,000 yen Child 4,000 yen |
The passes must be used in consecutive days. The validity of a rail pass starts from 12 O’clock at night. Child (6-11 years) rate is half price. Under 6 years is free.
e.g.
If you start to use 3-day pass on May 1, the pass is expired at 23:59 on May 3.
Coverage area
Kyushu Area Pass All area type covers all JR lines in Kyushu island except Sanyo Shinkansen between Kokura and Hakata/Hakata-Minami. This segment of Sanyo Shinkansen runs in Kyushu. But this is operated by JR West which is a different company from JR Kyushu.
Northern Kyushu Area Pass covers Nagasaki, Aso, Yufuin, Beppu, Kumamoto, Oita, Sasebo, Huis Ten Bosch and Hakata.
Southern Kyushu Area Pass covers Kumamoto, Miyazaki and Kagoshima.
Kyushu Area Pass Fukuoka Wide covers Hakata, Kokura and surrounding area.
Hotels in Nagasaki
Hotels in Aso
Hotels in Yufuin
Hotels in Beppu
How to buy Kyushu Area Pass
You may purchase either a travel agent or online before coming to Japan. You also can purchase a pass at the station after you arrive in Japan. The price is same between online, travel agent and station.
If you buy a travel agent, most JR Pass authorized agent sell Kyushu Area Pass too. Please see the link below to find the list of the authorized agent:
JR Pass authorized travel agent list
If you want to buy it online, there are many choices. One of JR Kyushu authorized agents is Klook. It is one of major online sites to sell many tickets:
Kyushu Area Pass from 7,500 yen (book at Klook)
ACP Rail is one of major train ticket online site. It is the authorized retailer of JR East too:
Kyushu Area Pass (book at ACP Rail)Validity
Kyushu Area Pass does not cover any JR bus lines, city bus, private railway, tram and subway. The condition of Kyushu Area Pass is similar to JR Pass. But JR Pass does not cover Mizuho on Kyushu Shinkansen. Kyushu Rail Pass covers Mizuho.
Kyushu Area Pass covers a reserved seat fee and a base fare. Green seat pass is not available. If you want to take a seat in Green car, you have to pay full fare of seat fee. Kyushu Rail Pass covers only a base fare.
e.g.
Hakata – Nagasaki
the base fare 2,810 yen
Ordinary reserved seat fee 1,900 yen
Gree seat fee 2,950 yen
Kyushu Area Pass covers 2,810 yen base fare and 1,900 yen Ordinary reserved seat fee. If you take a Green seat, you have to pay 2,950 yen. The extra charge is not 1,050 yen (2,950 yen – 1,900 yen) which is the difference of Green seat and Ordinary seat.
Compare Kyushu Area Pass and a regular fare
Before I compare the prices, I would like to show you some regular fares. This fare includes a limited express reserved seat fee and a basic fare. You can find how much you have to use to get the worth of the pass:
| Departure station | Arrival station | Approximate Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Hakata | Kumamoto | 5,300 yen |
| Hakata | Kagoshima Chuo | 10,600 yen |
| Kumamoto | Kagoshima Chuo | 7,000 yen |
| Hakata | Nagasaki | 4,800 yen |
| Hakata | Sasebo | 4,000 yen |
| Hakata | Beppu or Oita | 5,900 yen |
| Hakata | Yufuin | 4,700 yen |
| Oita | Miyazaki | 6,200 yen |
| Kagoshima Chuo | Miyazaki | 4,500 yen |
| Nobeoka | Miyazaki | 3,300 yen |
And the following faretable shows you a base fare and a limited express non reserved seat fee. You may use this faretable for Fukuoka Wide pass
| Departure station | Arrival station | Approximate Fare |
|---|---|---|
| Hakata | Kokura | 2,000 yen |
| Hakata | Kurume | 1,500 yen |
If you have a round trip to Kagoshima-Chuo from Hakata, you can get the worth of 5-day All Kyushu Area Pass. Northern Kyushu Area Pass is cheaper than a round trip fare for Hakata to Kumamoto. Southern Kyushu Area Pass is available for 3-day only. But the price is almost same as Kumamoto to Kagoshima-Chuo by Shinkansen one way fare. In summary, it is quite easy to get the worth of these passes.
Kyushu Area Pass Fukuoka Wide is a bit different from other Kyushu Area Pass. It does not cover a reserved seat fee. You have to take a seat in non reserved car. Shinkansen is not covered. However it is easy to get the worth as well. If you make a round trip to Kokura or Mojiko, it is paid off.
Seat reservation
As I mentioned above, Kyushu Area Pass Fukuoka Wide does not cover a reserved seat fee. Other Kyushu Area Pass covers a reserved seat fee. But there is a maximum limit.
| 5-day | 3-day |
|---|---|
| 16 times | 10 times |
As long as you travel normally, this is enough. You cannot reach the maximum number of booking. But if you reach the maximum number and you cannot book a seat any more, you still can take a seat on non reserved seat car. Your seat is not secured and you may not be able to get a seat. You have to stand up in the train.
Compare Kyushu Area Pass and Japan Rail Pass
Kyushu Area Pass is a perfect choice for the tourist who travel in Kyushu island only and fly in and out Kyushu. But if you go other areas, like Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, you should make sure a total cost. I will show you some samples.
Round trip to Hiroshima/Miyajima on Kyushu Area Pass
It is one hour away from Hakata by Shinkansen. If you go to Hiroshima by Shinkansen, the round trip fare is 8,940 x 2 = 17,880 yen.
You may add Hiroshima Yamaguchi Area Pass which is cheaper than a regular fare.
Kansai area and Kyushu trip
You can fly between Osaka and Fukuoka or other airports in Kyushu. You can use Kyushu Rail Pass in this case. You can use other deal in Kansai area:
But if you take a train between Osaka and Kyushu, you may use other choice. If you travel only northern part of Kyushu, Sanyo-Sanin Area Pass and Northern Kyushu Area Pass are recommended.
If you travel all part of Kyushu, JR Pass is recommended:
I hope this post will help you to travel in Kyushu area!
Comments
Hi Takeshi san,
I plan to travel to Fukuoka and Shinjuku in end Jan.
Here is my tentative itinerary:
1) reach Fukuoka – 24 jan
2) Dazaifu and Yanagawa – 25 jan
3) Day trip to Tosu outlet – 26 jan
4) Day trip to Kumamoto – 27 jan
5) Day trip to Mojiko port retro district – 28 jan
6) Hakata to Shinjuku – 29 jan
7) Shinjuku & Tokyo – 30 jan – 1st feb
8) Depart from Narita Airport – 1st feb
Appreciate if you can advise what passes to purchase for the itinerary above.
Thank you.
Jo
Hi Jo,
Regular ticket is okay for day 1. You can use the deal in the link below for day 2.
http://www.ensen24.jp/global/english/ticket/i_dazayana.html
You can start using JR Pass 7 days from 26 Jan.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/other-rail-passes/rail-pass-for-visitors/japan-rail-pass-user-guide-how-to-use-jr-pass-to-its-maximum.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
for Jr Kyushu pass it is not cover for Nozumi, Hikari and kodoma. if i want to go Nobeoka from Hakata what the earliest train that can i use with JR kyushu pass.
Hi Kamal,
You may take Sonic from Hakata to Oita and Nichirin from Oita to Nobeoka. Pls see page 8 in the link below:
http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/pdf/timetable_20170304_20180228.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
May I know the best way to travel from Takachicho direct to Kagoshima using the Kyushu South JR pass?
Hi AJ,
The best way is taking bus to Kumamoto and then take Shinkansen from Kumamoto to Kagoshima-Chuo.
There is no railways in Takachiho. You need to take a bus anyway and bus is not covered by the pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
oh yes…I remembered now your detailed write up for that. Guess I will stick to my original plan to travel to Miyazaki as the Miyazaki bus pass is much cheaper for foreigner at Yen 1000.
No worries, AJ.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Thanks for all the great info on JPRail all these while 🙂
It makes my japan trip planning easier!
I’m planning to explore northern kyushu this round, so will be buying the 5-days northern pass.
I will be going to Nakatsu from Hakata and staying at Nakatsu for 2 nights. So I will be taking the Limited Exp Sonic by using the pass. And from Nakatsu I would like to travel to Beppu & Oita, so I can also be using the same pass too.
After that, I’ll be traveling to Kumamoto from Nakatsu on the 3rd night. So I will need to take the Limited Exp Sonic back to Hakata and transfer to Shinkanzen Mizuho.
Is the above transportation methods work for my travel plan?
Many thanks for your advice!
Hi MuiSiew,
Your planning is correct. You can take these routes in your trip by Kyushu rail pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi, recently I have been looking at many brochures. All the brochures only mention north Kyushu and all Kyushu rail pass, but not South Kyushu pass. Can I confirm if I can indeed purchase the south Kyushu rail pass when I reach Fukuoka airport? Where else can I purchase the pass ?
Hi AJ,
You cannot purchase Southern Kyushu rail pass in Fukuoka. Please see the link below to find it:
http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/railpass/railpass.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I am confused as to where exactly can I purchase the South Pass. The website says “The pass can be purchased at JR Kyushu Travel (●) and Travel Service Center (■) located in the station as well as at certain JR stations. However, a Southern Kyushu Area Pass cannot be purchased at JR Kyushu Travel Kumamoto Branch and Miyazaki Branch”.
It indicates that South Pass can be purchased at Kumamoto (●) . May I know where in Kumamoto? I have a problem as I need to start using the pass to travel from Nobeoko to Miyazaki.
Hi AJ,
At Kumamoto and Miyazaki, southern Kyushu rail pass is sold at the station ticket window only. It’s not sold in travel center.
Other Kyushu rail pass are sold at both ticket window and travel center.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JRRail.com
Hi Takeshi, do u meant Kumamoto JR Station ? May I know the opening hours of the ticket window ?
Hi Aj,
That’s right. I don’t have any info about opening hours but it usually opens from 5:30 to 22:00 in most of major stations. You may find the exact time when you get Hakata station.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you! I am just worried that it will be closed when I reach in evening around 7pm. Guess will be fine
No worries, AJ.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi
I would greatly appreciate if you could help with the following:
I am planning a 10 day trip to North Kyushu in November and would like to visit the following places:
1] Beppu, Himeshima; Kitsuki; Nakatsu, Kitsuki; Saiki & Konoke (Suspension Bridge);
Should I consider staying in Beppu ?
2] Kumamoto city; Asosan-nishi; Kurokawa Onsen; Kikuchi Onsen, Hitoyoshi, etc
Should I stay in Kurokawa, Kikuchi or Hitoyoshi ?
North Kyushu Pass only covers 5 days, should I & can I buy two passess? Or plus a Sun Q bus pass?
Thank you very much. I look forward to hearing from you.
Hi Whitty,
1. Beppu or Oita is a good place to stay.
2. If you really want to stay in one place, Kumamoto is the best place. But in my opinion, you should stay in Kumamoto and Kurokawa.
Train does not run between Kumamoto and Aso because of the damage by earthquake in the last year. Kurokawa and Kikuchi cannot be accessed by train. I have no idea how we access to Konoke by public transports. Sun Q pass may be better but at this point, you haven’t decide where you stay and how many days you will spend at each spot. I cannot say which pass is the best. But I guess, Kyushu rail pass does not work.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi
Can you check whether the itinerary below works:
October 18, 2017
Hakata to Kumamoto 13:51 Tsubame 327
Kumamoto to Hakata 23:17 Sakura 414
October 19, 2017
Hakata to Shin-Tosu 07:35 Tsubame 311
Shin-Tosu to Sasebo 08:02 Midori 1
Sasebo to Tabira-Hirado-Guchi 09:27 Imari
Tabira-Hirado-Guchi to Sasebo 16:45 Matsuura Railway
Sasebo to Hakata 19:52 Midori 30
October 20, 2017
Hakata to Oita 08:45 Yufuin no Mori 91
Oita to Miyaji 14:06 ASO Boy
Miyaji to Beppu 16:20 ASO Boy ( I take this again as I want to spend more time on ASO Boy)
Beppu to Hakata 20:20 Sonic 60
Please kindly advise.
Best regards
Mak
Hi Mak,
Your itinerary is okay. I have nothing to say about it.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
May I know which are the common JR stations covered by both the Kyushu South and North rail pass?
I plan to use the South pass on the 3rd day for Kagoshima Chuo- Yoshimatsu (Hayato no Kaze )- Hitoyoshi (Isaburo/ Shinpei )- Kumamoto (Kawasemi Yamasemi)- Kumamoto.
Then I need to change to the North pass for the next 3 days to travel to Bungo-Nakamura and back to Fukuoka to explore the north.
Some of the guest house are nearer to Kami Kumamoto Station or Minami Kumamoto Station instead of Kumamoto Station. Hence need to find out the common JR stations to decide where is the most convenient place to stay.
Regards
Hi AJ,
Both Kami-Kumamoto and Minami-Kumamoto are just outside coverage area of southern pass. You can get Kumamoto by the pass but after you reached there, you need to use northern pass or add single fare. Single fare is around 200 yen. It’s not costy. If you don’t want to start using northern pass, you just add the fare to get these stations.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Do u mean Kamamoto is the only common JR station ?
If I need to reserve the seats for Kagoshima Chuo- Yoshimatsu (Hayato no Kaze )- Hitoyoshi (Isaburo/ Shinpei )- Kumamoto (Kawasemi Yamasemi)- Kumamoto, do I need to purchase the JR pass in advance once I reach Kyushu ? Does it have the flexibility for me to amend the start date later if there is unexpected changes to my travel schedule ?
Hi AJ,
All three stations are JR station. I meant only Kumamoto station is covered by southern pass. Other two stations are not covered by southern pass.
When you purchase a pass, you need to decide the date when you want to start using. The date will be stamped on the pass. Once the date is stamped, you cannot change the date. And you need to have a pass when you want to book a seat.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
sorry, do you mean of all the JR stations in Kumamoto, only one Kumamoto station is covered by southern pass?
Hi AJ,
Kumamoto is north end of the coverage area of southern pass. If you go to south from Kumamoto, it’s covered. But both stations which you mentioned is not located to the south.
Anyway if you travel from south to Kumamoto, southern pass does not cover any more from Kumamoto to north and to west.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Is JR Bungo-Nakamura station covered under Kyushu North or South rail pass?
Regards
Hi AJ,
It’s covered by northern pass but not by southern pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
THANK YOU! You have always been so quick in reply.
No worries, AJ.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi
Thank you so much for this information.
I am just wondering, does the standard JR Railpass cover Kyushu limited express trains such as SL Hitoyashi and Aso Boy?
Hi Georgia.
Yes. All JR limited Express trains are covered.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com