Most of Midori are serviced by 783 series.
Limited express “Midori” connects the gateway city in Kyushu, Hakata with very historical port city Sasebo. Some of trains are operated with Limited Express “Huis Ten Bosch” that is most popular theme park in Kyushu. When you go to Sasebo or Huis Ten Bosch, take Shinkansen to Hakata and change these trains.
Of course, these express trains can be used by Japan Rail Pass without any restriction. So let’s see the details.
Route, schedule and time required
Midori is serviced mostly by 783 series and some of Midori is operated by 787 series. Huis Ten Bosch is operated by 783 series only. And it is always combined operation with Midori between Hakata and Haiki. This train is disconnected with Midori at Haiki, and then take the passengers to Huis Ten Bosch. It takes about 1 hour 50 minutes to get Sasebo/Huis Ten Bosch from Hakata by Midori or Huis Ten Bosch. Midori is operates 16 round trips a day. It is almost every hour. Huis Ten Bosch is operated 5 round trips a day in weekdays. But this train is operated 3 more round trips in weekend. And also another 2 more round trips are operated in peak periods.
You can check the timetable at JR Kyushu website (English).
Stations
| Hakata (博多) | x |
|---|---|
| Futsukaichi (二日市) | * |
| Tosu (鳥栖) | x |
| Shin-Tosu (新鳥栖) | x |
| Yoshinogari Koen (吉野ヶ里公園) | * |
| Saga (佐賀) | x |
| Hizen-Yamaguchi (肥前山口) | * |
| Takeo-Onsen (武雄温泉) | x |
| Arita (有田) | x |
| Haiki (早岐) | x |
| Sasebo (佐世保) Huis Ten Bosch (ハウステンボス) | x |
x:All trains stop *:some trains stop
View Midori / Huis ten Bosch in a larger map
Accommodation
Midori is operated two types of trains, 787 series and 783 series. 787 series has the best reputation. So if you have a time, check which train will be used for your train when you book a reserved seat. Huis Ten Bosch is operated by 783 series only.
*Sonic Rail Garden has copyright for all images of accommodations below.
787 series
787 series was started to use for Midori on Mar 12, 2011. (C) Sonic Rail Garden
This train had been used for Tsubame and Relay Tsubame before Kyushu Shinkansen between Hakata and Shin-Yatsushiro was started to operate. This series should be the best one in not only JR Kyushu trains but also in all JR trains. Especially Green class has a great reputation. I recommend to try taking this seat.
Train formation
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| DXG | G/GC | R | R | NR | NR | NR |
*DXG=Deluxe Green seat G=Green seat GC=Green compartment R=Reserved seat NR=Non reserved seat
Smoking is not allowed on this train.
Images
Deluxe Green seat
*This seat cannot be used by Japan Rail Pass.
Green seat
Ordinary seat
783 series
There is only 12 seats on Green class. The seat configuration is 2+1 and the seat pitch is 1200mm. It is a big seat and has enough leg room. The seat pitch on Ordinary seat is 1000mm. 783 series is operated for most of limited express trains in Kyushu. It is one of the oldest train for limited express in Kyushu. But it is not bad.
Train formation
Midori 4 cars formation
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | ||||
| G | R | R | R | NR | NR | NR | NR |
Midori/Huis Ten Bosch 8 cars formation
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | ||||||||
| G | R | R | R | R | NR | NR | NR | G | R | R | R | NR | NR | NR | NR |
*G=Green seat R=Reserved seat NR=Non reserved seat
Smoking is not allowed on this train.
Images
Green seat
Ordinary seat
Sanitary space
Common space
Comments
hi takeshi!
i will be going to fukuoka ths january and we plan to visit huis ten bosch theme park for a day trip.
1. can i use my IC card to board this train? or i have to purchase tickets at midori no madoguchi?
2. do i have to get a ticket in advance?
2. do i have to get a reserved seat?or non reserved seat is fine?
3. i am confused on the timetable. is it possible for you to provide me what are the times for hakata to huis ten bosch (and vice versa) directly. we plan to go in the park at 3pm.
Hi Aa,
1. No, you can’t. You have to buy a ticket at Midorino Madoguchi.
2. The train in Kyushu is sometimes very busy even in weekdays. Reservation is always recommended and purchase a ticket in advance.
3. Please see the link below (page 11).
http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/pdf/timetable_20190316_20200229.pdf
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
thank you for your response takeshi! can i purchase a ticket at tenjin station?
Hi Aa,
Tenjin is not JR station and you cannot buy it. You have to go to Hakata.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
oh i see. thank you so much for helping!
No worries, Aa.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I’m finding contradicting info regarding the reservation for this train using JR Kyushu North Pass. On some sites, it says, you can make up to 10 free reservations but on website, reservation has a charge. Do you know if the paid reservation is only for the online reservation? And that the free reservation is for the offline/over the counter reservation?
Thank you
Hi Tintin,
Reservation fee is included by Kyushu rail pass but it covers only reservation after you arrive in Japan at the counter. If you book a seat online, handling fee will be charged. Please see the link below to find more info:
http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/railpass/railpass.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
I would like you to answer my following questions.
1. What is the JR train fare from Hakata to Huis Ten Borsh and from Huis Ten Borsh back to Hakata?
2. What is the JR train fare from Hakata to Mojiko and from Mojiko to Hakata?
3. What is the JR train fare from Hakata to Dazaifu and then from Dazaifu to Tosu Premium Outlet and from Tosu Premium Outlet back to Hakata.
THese are my three day trips to these places. I want to know the train fare .
thanks,
Queenie
Hi Queenie,
You may find it at hyperdia. I wrote about how to use this search engine at the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com