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).
| 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
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
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
Buffet (Cafeteria and kiosk)
Salon space
Sanitary space
Passenger’s deck and common space
Train formation
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| R | R/B | S/R | R |
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
Semi compartment on Car #3
Buffet (Cafeteria and kiosk)
Sanitary space
Passenger’s deck and common space
Train formation
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| R | R | B/R | R |
R=Reserved ordinary seat B=Buffet (cafeteria and kiosk)
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
Sanitary space
Train formation
| 1 | 2 | 3 |
| R | R/NR | R |
R=Reserved ordinary seat NR=Non reserved ordinary seat
Comments
Yufuin no Mori #73 and #74 is it same as #3 and #4?
Hi Hoe Kai Cheng,
If train number is 70’s, it will run as limited express “Yufu”. Schedule is same but train is not Yufuin no Mori fleet. It’s ordinary fleet, not very special.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
I’m planning my trip in Oct 2017 and I will arrive in Fukuoka Airport on 01 Oct and will be taking a train to Beppu. Is it possible to book the Yufuin no mori from Beppu instead of Hakata for 02 or 03 Oct?
Hi Francisca,
Yes, you can. You can book it at any major JR stations, like Hakata.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/how-to-reserve-seat.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I will arrive Fukuoka on May 5 and will reserve the train tickets on that day.
Do you think i can reserve Yufuin No Mori on 9 – 10 May?
Because the golden week just end on 7 May, so i am worry a bit.
Thank you.
Abby
Hi Abby,
I think it will be okay but actually it’s hard to say. This train is very very popular as you know. This train is sometimes booked out in even shoulder season week day.
Please try to use cyberstation to find the availability before you go.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/how-to-find-seat-availability-of-trains-jr-cyber-station-guide.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hello Takeshi-san,
Thank you for this wonderful site, as always.
Well, I am planning on traveling from Hiroshima to Yufuin this end-year. We have to start at 10:30 AM from Hiroshima station, and reach Yufuin around 2:30 or 3 PM.
So it seems there are two ways to do it:
1. Hiroshima –> Shinkansen Sakura –> Kokura –> Ltd. Exp Sonic –> Oita –> Yufuin.
2. Hiroshima –> Shinkansen Sakura –> Hakata –> Ltd. Exp Yufu –> Yufuin.
The fare difference between these two is not very much, about 700 yen in total. Also, the second route takes a bit (20 minutes / 45 KM) longer.
However, I really liked the reserved seat interiors of Sakura during my previous travels and as you have mentioned in another post, it’s just… awesome. So I am kind of facing a dilemma here.
If I change at Hakata, I will need to take the Ltd. Exp Yufu, but it seems its seats are not very good. But Ltd. Exp Sonic 19 might have a good interior. But the ride in Shinkansen Sakura will be shorter in that case.
So if money and time are not issues, and I don’t mind taking normal trains as well, which one do you think is more comfortable and better way to go to Yufuin?
Also, I had another question. I know this sounds a bit odd, but do you know which compartments have the pantograph on top of them in these 3 trains (Shinkansen Sakura, Ltd Exp Sonic, Ltd Exp Yufu)? I kind of like listening to the train’s noises so I am asking. Sorry for asking such an odd question.
Thank you very much again!
Regards,
S M
Hi S M san,
Option 1 is better because as you think, Ltd Exp Yufu is very ordinary. If you take Yufuin no Mori, it’s amazing but Yufu is totally different from Yufuin no Mori. Sonic is better choice.
Sakura has pantograph on car 2 and 7. I cannot tell you about Sonic. Because it’s operated by two different train sets, 883 series and 885 series. 883 has car 2, 4 and 6. 885 has 2 and 5. Yufu is diesel fleet and does not have it at all.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
2, 7
Hi Takeshi,
I was wondering if you know which station has a huge geta in front? We took the Yufuin no Moro from Hakata to Yufuin and saw it but can’t remember which station it was. Thank you.
Hi Fiona,
Sorry but I have no idea.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi,
My fight will arrive fukuoka airport at 8.30 and I want to take a train to yufuin on the same day. Is it possible to get a seat on yufuin no Mori without booking in advance.?
The first one is depart at 09.24. I wonderif wecan manage to get this train. ( i also needto exchange the jr pass)
Where is the coin locker located in hakata station? Do there have large locker enough for traveller? I read there is small amount for the large locker. What should I do if the lockers are full?
thank you,
Sue
Hi Sue,
It’s hard to say but I guess it’s very challenging to book this train. You cannot book in advance but you can check the availability.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/how-to-find-seat-availability-of-trains-jr-cyber-station-guide.html
As you said, large size locker is very hard to find. If you cannot find it, you have to carry it unfortunately. Therefore I recommend backpack. Please find some more info about luggage at the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/travel-tips/baggage/managing-luggage-how-to-carry-your-baggage-on-board-and-how-to-store-your-baggage-at-the-station.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
We would like to buy Northern Kyushu rail pass but it can be use only 5 days. We have plan to start from Hakata, Kumamoto, Beppu, Yufuin and then back to Hakata on 6th day morning which our Northern Kyushu rail pass has expired.
Could you please advice ? We should start using the rail pass on second day and buy Shinkansen ticket to Kumamoto? or using the rail pass on first day and buy Limited express from Yufuin to Hakata on the 6th day morning? How much for the ticket each Shinkansen and Limited express? or please advice the way which save our money.
Thank you so much
Thanadeth K.
Hi Thanadeth san,
You can find the fare at Hyperdia. You can compare it to find the fare there.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/basic-informations/timetable-and-reservation/hyperdia-perfect-guide-train-timetable-and-route-search-engine.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
I would like to seek your advice please.
I plan to travel to Kyushu during Golden Week.
My flight arrived on 25 April, and I want to make a reservation for Yuin no Mori on 29 April.
Is it possible to make that reservation, will it be full?
Thank you in advance.
Win
Hi Win,
I think it will be full because it’s holiday.
Cheers,
Takeshi/ JPRail.com
Ah ; ( thank you Takeshi.
And how you think about trains of the southern such as SL Hitoyoshi, Hayato no Kaze, and Ibusuki no Tabatebako?
Are they popular like Yufuin no Mori?
Thank you again : )
Win
Hi Win,
These trains are very popular too but it’s easier to book than Yufuin no Mori. Hayato no Kaze has non reserved seat. In worst case, you can take this train without reservation. But Yufuin no Mori and SL Hitoyoshi do not have non reserved seat and you cannot take it without reservation.
Hi Takeshi san,
I would like to confirm if this is the right procedure to booking my trip Hakata to Yufuin / Yufuin to Hakata (Round trip) on 14 April 2016, taking the Yufuin No Mori train:
1) I can reserve my seats at any JR ticketing offices (Midori-no-madoguchi) after I arrived at Japan
– Is there a JR ticketing office at Kyoto Station?
2) I will inform the following details to book my tickets:
From Hakata to Yufuin-
Departure date / Destination: 14/April / Yufuin
Date/Time of departure: 14 April/9.24am
Number of tickets required: 5 adults
Type of train: Limited Express Yufuin No Mori
Type of Seating: Reserved
From Yufuin to Hakata-
Departure date / Destination: 14/April / Hakata
Date/Time of departure: 14 April/17.06pm
Number of tickets required: 5 adults
Type of train: Limited Express Yufuin No Mori
Type of Seating: Reserved
For your further understanding, I will be traveling Kansai region (Kyoto/Osaka/Kobe/Nara) before going to Kyushu (Fukuoka/Yufuin).
So I would like to reserve the Yufuin no Mori tickets at Kansai region as soon as possible to secure seats during this peak season.
Kindly advise how much would the train tickets cost.
I will not be having any JR rail passes.
Thank you and Best Regards,
Esther Teo (From Singapore)
Hi Eather san,
All information that you have made are completely right. Reservation staff can understand what you need to book very easily.
You can book a ticket at Kyoto station. In Kansai area, most of JR stations have Midori no Madoguchi, like Kansai airport station. So if you want to book as early as possible, please go ahead to book right after you arrive in Japan.
As you think, Yufuin no Mori is very popular.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
Thank you very much for your advice and well-noted!
If there are no more seats on Yufuin no Mori, kindly advice are there other trains that I can take to visit Yufuin?
Also, I would like to know how much are the tickets for Yufurin no Mori trains.
Thank you very much in advance!
Best Regards,
Esther
Hi Esther san,
You can take Limited express Sonic to Oita and transfer to local train to Yufuin.
https://jprail.com/destinations/kyushu-area/sonic.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi san,
Thank you for the information.
Kindly advise if I should buy the JR Northern Kyushu Rail Pass if I choose to travel from Hakata to Yufuin and Kumamoto?
If I am not able to reserve tickets for Yufuin no Mori, I would like to go to Yufuin and Kumamoto (From Hakata) by Shinkansen.
But I understand that Kyushu Rail Pass cannot be used on Sanyo Shinkansen. So this is where I am confused.
Does the 800 Series Shinkansen and N700 Series Shinkansen belong to JR West Sanyo Shinkansen?
If not, kindly advise if 800 Series and N700 Series can also be referred on this link under (1) Shin-Osaka -> Hakata -> Kumamoto -> Kagoshima-Chuo;
http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/pdf/2016.3.26_2017.2.28.pdf
Hi Esther san,
You can take any trains between Hakata and Kumamoto on Shinkansen line. It doesn’t matter where train come from, like Shin-Osaka, Hiroshima. As long as you travel between Hakata and Kumamoto, it’s covered fully.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Thank you very much Takeshi san!
No problem, Esther san.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com
Hi Takeshi,
Would like to seek your advice please – we plan to travel to Fukuoka on 6 May and then to Yufuin on 9 May. Can we make advance reservation for the Yufuin-no-mori at Hakata JR station before we set off to Yufuin?
Can we use the Kyushu Northern Area JR pass for this ride? By the way, can we activate the JR pass now for a later start date ?
Thanks in advance for your help!
Aligato!
Didi
Hi Didi,
You can make a booking in advance. Ticket is on sale one month prior to departure date. You can use Northern Kyushu rail pass for taking this train.
When you exchange your pass, you can pick up the date when you start using the pass. So you can exchange it in advance. Once you exchange the pass (even if you don’t start using the pass), you can start the booking.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JPRail.com