How to Use JR Kyushu Rail Pass


2023.01.09

NAVITIME TRAVEL EDITOR

How to Use JR Kyushu Rail Pass

If you’re planning on visiting Kyushu during your time in Japan, the JR Kyushu Rail Pass is a convenient and affordable option for sightseeing on the island. It offers unlimited travel on JR trains across Kyushu (except for the Sanyo Shinkansen) for either two, three or five consecutive days. Validity is based on calendar days, rather than 24-hour periods, and the pass is only available for temporary visitors to Japan (not residents).

Click here for reservation

  • 01

    JR Kyushu Rail Pass

    There are six types of JR Kyushu Rail Pass available, which differ depending on their validity period and the area covered:

    Name of Pass Validity (days) Eligibility Price - adults (yen) Price - children (yen) Number of times a seat can be reserved Notes
    JR Kyushu Rail Pass (Fukuoka Wide) 2 Short-stay visa holders 3,060 1,530 N/A Non-reserved seats are available on Limited Express, Rapid and Local trains while extra charges apply for reserved seats on Limited Express trains and Shinkansen.
    JR Kyushu Rail PassーNorth 3 8,660 4,330 10 If the number of seat reservations is exceeded, you can still reserve a seat by paying an additional fee.
    5 10,190 5,090 16
    JR Kyushu Rail PassーSouth 3 7,500 3,750 10
    JR Kyushu Rail PassーALL 3 15,280 7,640 10
    5 18,330 9,160 16
    JR KYUSHU Foreign students Pass (all-you-can-ride in Kyushu) 3 Foreign students 7,330 - N/A Non-reserved seats are available on Limited Express, Rapid and Local trains while extra charges apply for reserved seats on Limited Express trains and Shinkansen.
    JR KYUSHU Foreign students Pass (all-you-can-ride in Northern Kyushu) 3 14,670 - N/A

    N.B. The Shinkansen between Kokura and Hakata is not covered by the JR Kyushu Rail Pass.

  • 02

    How to buy a JR Kyushu Rail Pass

    The JR Kyushu Rail Pass can be purchased at here and other online platforms, as well as at designated overseas travel agencies.

    Click here for reservation

    If you’re already in Japan, you can also purchase them at JR Ticket Offices (Midori no Madoguchi) at select stations in Kyushu. Keep in mind that the JR Kyushu Rail Pass - North is not available for sale at stations in Southern Kyushu while the JR Kyushu Rail Pass - South is not available for sale at stations in Northern Kyushu. If you’ve purchased a JR Kyushu Rail Pass outside of Japan, you’ll be issued with a pass voucher that needs to be redeemed at a JR Ticket Office on arrival.

    JR Rail Pass Counter

    JR Rail Pass Counter

  • 03

    How to reserve a seat

    When you’re using the JR Kyushu Rail Pass-All, the JR Kyushu Rail Pass - North or the JR Kyushu Rail Pass - South, you can board non-reserved seat trains without having to reserve a seat. However, it’s recommended that you reserve a seat for trains that are all-reserved and on popular sightseeing trains to ensure you have a place to sit.

    There are two options when it comes to reserving a seat - you can book online or at a JR Ticket Office. You can make seat reservations at the JR Ticket Office at each JR Kyushu station with no extra charge. If you purchased your pass through an overseas travel agency designated as a "JR Kyushu Rail Pass Online Booking”, you can utilize the online reservation service. An addition charge of between 800 and 1,000 yen applies, with a list of applicable trains available at here.

  • 04

    JR Kyushu Rail Pass (Fukuoka Wide)

    The JR Kyushu Rail Pass (Fukuoka Wide) can be used for sightseeing in and around Fukuoka City, as well as accessing the ancient castle town of Kokura and Shimonoseki.

    The JR Kyushu Rail Pass (Fukuoka Wide) Area

    The JR Kyushu Rail Pass (Fukuoka Wide) AreaPhoto by : JR Kyushu Railway Company

    See the wooden Buddha of Tōchō-ji and learn about life in the Meiji and Taishō eras at the Hakata Machiya Folk Museum, then explore the ruins of the 17th-century Fukuoka Castle in Maizuru Park. Jump aboard the Sarakurayama Cable Car that offers sweeping views across the city of Kitakyūshū, then travel to the westernmost city on Honshu - Shimonoseki. Highlights here include the Kaikyokan Aquarium and the Kaikyo Yume Tower, as well as the Kanmon Pedestrian Tunnel that links the city to Kyushu.

    Sarakurayama Cable Car

    Sarakurayama Cable Car

    Mt. Sarakura
    place
    Fukuoka Pref. Kitakyushushiyahatahigashiku Ogura
    phone
    0936810387
    opening-hour
    [Sarakurayama Cable Car/Slop…
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    Mojiko

    Mojiko

    Mojiko

    Mojiko

    Kanmon Bridge

    Kanmon Bridge

    Mojiko
    place
    Fukuoka Pref
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    Premier Hotel Mojiko

    9-11 Minato-Machi Kitakyushu Fukuoka

    Agoda
    • Premier Hotel Mojiko
    • Premier Hotel Mojiko
    • Premier Hotel Mojiko
    • Premier Hotel Mojiko
    • Premier Hotel Mojiko
  • 05

    JR Kyushu Rail Pass - North

    Travellers wanting to explore Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kumamoto and Beppu should opt for the JR Kyushu Rail Pass - North.

    Northern Kyushu Area Pass

    Northern Kyushu Area PassPhoto by : JR Kyushu Railway Company

    After discovering the sights of Fukuoka, you can travel southwest to Nagasaki to learn about the nuclear attack that took place here during World War II at the Atomic Bomb Museum and Peace Park. Witness the 17th-century Kumamoto Castle and admire the works on display at the Kumamoto Prefectural Museum of Art, then enjoy a soak in the natural hot springs of Beppu Onsen.

    Beppu Onsen Jigoku Hell Tour

    Beppu Onsen Jigoku Hell Tour

    Beppu Onsen Jigoku Hell Tour

    Beppu Onsen Jigoku Hell Tour

    Beppu Onsen Jigoku Hell Tour

    Beppu Onsen Jigoku Hell Tour

    Beppu Hachi Yu
    place
    Oita Beppushi-shi
    phone
    0977242828
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    Beppu Ekimae Hotel Hayashi

    3-5 Ekimae-Honmachi Beppu Oita

    Agoda
    • Beppu Ekimae Hotel Hayashi
    • Beppu Ekimae Hotel Hayashi
    • Beppu Ekimae Hotel Hayashi
    • Beppu Ekimae Hotel Hayashi
    • Beppu Ekimae Hotel Hayashi
    Nagasaki Peace Park

    Nagasaki Peace Park

    Nagasaki Peace Park

    Nagasaki Peace Park

    Nagasaki Peace Park (Ground zero Area / Peace Statue Area)
    place
    Nagasaki Pref. Nagasakishi Matsuyamamachi
    phone
    0958291162
    opening-hour
    Free visit
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    Kujukushima pearl sea resort

    Kujukushima pearl sea resort

    Kujuku Islands
    place
    Nagasaki Pref. Saseboshi
    phone
    0956226630
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  • 06

    JR Kyushu Rail Pass - South

    The JR Kyushu Rail Pass - South covers the cities of Kumamoto, Oita, Kagoshima and Miyazaki.

    Southern Kyushu Area Pass

    Southern Kyushu Area PassPhoto by : JR Kyushu Railway Company

    From Kumamoto, you can travel south to the seaside city of Kagoshima to walk along the Nagisa Lava Trail beneath the active volcano of Sakurajima. Then continue east to Miyazaki to explore the magnificent Takachiho Gorge, which was created during the rapid cooling of an ancient lava flow. Aside from featuring the onsen towns of Beppu and Yufuin, Oita is also home to the Kunisaki Peninsula that’s renowned for its charming countryside dotted with spiritual sites.

    Takachiho Gorge

    Takachiho Gorge

    Takachiho Gorge

    Takachiho Gorge

    Takachiho Gorge
    place
    Miyazaki Pref. Nishiusukiguntakachihochou Mitai Please Shioi
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    Kagoshima City Tram

    Kagoshima City Tram

    Sakurajima

    Sakurajima

    Sakurajima Island
    place
    Kagoshima Kagoshima-shi
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  • 07

    JR Kyushu Rail Pass - All

    If you want to explore the entire island of Kyushu, the JR Kyushu Rail Pass is highly recommended.

    All Kyushu Area Pass

    All Kyushu Area PassPhoto by : JR Kyushu Railway Company

    You can visit all of the region’s major cities and natural sights, as well as its onsen towns. The pass can also be used on one of the island’s unique sightseeing trains that offer a slower journey so you can enjoy the spectacular views. A highlight is the JR Hisatsu Line between Yatsuhiro Station in Kumamoto prefecture and Hayato Station in Kagoshima prefecture, which is considered by many to be one of the most scenic rail journeys in Japan.

    Yufuin no Mori

    Yufuin no Mori

    A-Train

    A-Train

    A-Train

    A-Train

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