Go on a Kyushu Roadtrip with these 3 Transportation Passes
Kyushu is brimming with many charms–its hot springs, natural spots, and historical landmarks are scattered all over the region.
If you would like to visit Kyushu, you'll definitely want to see many famous sightseeing spots and hot springs. Here are three transportation passes, including a pass that allows unlimited rides on the JR Line as well as a pass that allows unlimited rides on the bus.
1）JR Kyushu Rail Pass (All, North, South)
If you’re a foreign visitor to Japan, the JR Kyushu Rail Pass (All, North, South) is a pass that you’ll definitely want while traveling around Kyushu.
You can use each of the JR Lines within the designated section. Select from three areas: the whole of Kyushu, northern Kyushu, or southern Kyushu. The number of days can also be selected, depending on the area.
Besides limited express trains running in the designated area, reserved seats on the Shinkansen (Mizuho, Sakura, Tsubame) can be used too (except for between Hakata and Kokura).
Please note that there is an additional charge for using green cars (the equivalent of business class seats). Reservations for reserved seats can be made on the JR Kyushu Rail Pass Online Booking site. Other visitors can make reservations at the JR Kyushu Station Ticket Office after arriving in Japan.
Price / Duration
【All Kyushu Area Pass】
3 days Adult ¥17,000／Child ¥8,500
5 days Adult ¥18,500／Child ¥9,250
7 days Adult ¥20,000／Child ¥10,000
【Northern Kyushu Area Pass】
3 days Adult ¥10,000／Child ¥5,000
5 days Adult ¥14,000／Child ¥7,000
【Southern Kyushu Area Pass】
3 days Adult ¥8,000 ／Child ¥4,000
※Adult: 12 years old and older
※Child: 6 to 11 years old
Pass usage area
【All Kyushu Area Pass】
Trains stated below within the whole Kyushu area including Shimonoseki
・Local trains
・Limited express trains
・Shinkansen（Hakata - Kagoshima-chuo）
※Shinkansen (between Kokura and Hakata), subways, buses or private railways are not applicable.
【Northern Kyushu Area】
Trains stated below covering Kumamoto/Misumi and the area north of Oita
・Local trains
・Limited express trains
・Shinkansen（Hakata - Kumamoto）
※Shinkansen (between Kokura and Hakata), subways, buses or private railways are not applicable.
【Southern Kyushu Area Pass】
Trains stated below covering Kumamoto and the area south of Oita
・Local trains
・Limited express trains
・Shinkansen（Kumamoto - Kagoshima-chuo）
※Private railways and buses are not applicable.
How to purchase a pass
Refer to the official website.
※Check the end of this article for the link to the official website
Recommended sightseeing spots within the pass area
【For the Northern Kyushu Area Pass】
(Fukuoka) Hakata Station, Tenjin, Kokura; (Saga) Karatsu; (Nagasaki) Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Peace Park; (Kumamoto) Mt. Aso, Kumamoto Castle; (Oita) Yufuin, Beppu, and more!
Enjoy the Kokura area and then head to Karatsu, one of Kyushu's leading pottery towns. At Nagasaki, look around Chinatown and take in the night scenery at Mt. Inasa and the Aso area of Kumamoto, which is rich with nature. It is also recommended to heal the exhaustion of traveling around hot spring villages such as Yufuin and Beppu. And when you get hungry, try the tonkotsu ramen (pork bone broth noodle soup), motsunabe (beef or pork tripe stew), yakitori (skewered chicken), and more.
【For the Southern Kyushu Area Pass】
(Kumamoto) Aso, Hitoyoshi hot spring; (Miyazaki) Aoshima, Nichinan Waterfront; (Kagoshima) Ibusuki, Makurazaki, Kirishima Jingu
Besides taking in a breathtaking view of the peak of Mt. Aso, you can tour spectacular beach spots such as Aoshima, which is also a well-known spiritual spot; the Ibusuki area, famous for its Sunamushi Onsen（where you’re buried in sand from the neck down); and Makurazaki, where bonito fishing is a popular activity.
2）JR Kyushu Rail Pass (Fukuoka Wide)
A pass that covers not only the main sightseeing areas in the Fukuoka Prefecture but also the Karatsu area in the Saga Prefecture. Unreserved seats on limited express trains and regular trains can be used freely. The period of use is two consecutive days.
Price / Duration
( 2 consecutive days) Adult ¥3,060／Child ¥1,530
※Adult: 12 years old and older
※Child: 6 to 11 years old
Area
Unreserved seats on limited express trains (excluding the Shinkansen) and regular trains in the main areas of the Fukuoka Prefecture and the Karatsu area of Saga Prefecture can be used freely.
※ Railway lines other than JR Kyushu such as Kyushu Shinkansen, Sanyo Shinkansen, Seven Stars in Kyushu, JR Kyushu Bus, Fukuoka City Subway, and Kitakyushu Monorail are not included in the pass.
How to purchase a pass
Refer to the official website
Recommended sightseeing spots within the pass range
(Fukuoka) Hakata, Umi-no-Nakamichi, Mojiko, Kurume, (Yamaguchi) Shimonoseki, Tsunoshima Ohashi Bridge, (Saga) Karatsu, Tosu City and more.
Take a walk around Umi-no-Nakamichi and the retro cityscape of Mojiko area, where seasonal flowers and leisure activities abound. Local attractions such as Shimonoseki and Kurume are also recommended for visitors who have never been to Japan before.
What are the differences between the JR Kyushu Rail Passes and JR Kyushu Rail Pass (Fukuoka Wide) introduced above?
There are three JR Kyushu Rail Passes: Northern Kyushu, Southern Kyushu, as well as an All Area Pass. If you visit Japan, purchase your pass according to the area you want to visit and the length of your stay.
The JR Kyushu Rail Pass (Fukuoka Wide) is mainly for those sightseeing in the Fukuoka Prefecture, and is recommended for those who would like to extend their sightseeing to other spots along with Fukuoka. Decide in advance where you would like to be based and which area you would like to visit, and then consider which pass is best for you.
3) SunQPass: Unlimited rides on regular fixed-route buses, highway buses, and ferries
A pass that allows unlimited rides on regular fixed-route buses, highway buses, and ferries in the designated areas. There are four types of passes:
1 [Northern Kyushu + Shimonoseki] Unlimited rides for 3 consecutive days: ¥9,000
2 [Southern Kyushu] Unlimited rides for 3 consecutive days: ¥8,000
3 [All Kyushu + Shimonoseki] Unlimited rides for 3 consecutive days: ¥11,000
4 [All Kyushu + Shimonoseki] Unlimited rides for 4 consecutive days: ¥14,000
Northern Kyushu + Shimonoseki Pass 1 includes the route to / from Fukuoka Airport. The Southern Kyushu Pass 2 is within the range of areas with buses departing from and arriving at the airport, such as routes to and from Kumamoto Airport, so you can use the passes immediately after arriving at the airport.
In addition, Pass 4, which covers all of Kyushu, can be used an unlimited amount of times on about 2,400 routes, including highway buses and general route buses! So, if you want to go around every nook and cranny of Kyushu, it won’t be a waste of cash and it is relatively easy to use. Buses that accept the SUNQPass generally have a sticker on the front and next to the boarding area. Check for the sticker and hop on. Don’t forget to show your pass to the driver when you get off.
Furthermore, there are some routes that require reservations and some routes that do not require them, so once you have decided where you’re going, check to see if you need to make a reservation. If you need to make a reservation, contact the Kyushu Express Bus Reservation Center or check out the official website. After making your reservation, make sure to pick up your ticket at the counter and hop on the bus.
With the pass, discounts and special benefits can be obtained at popular tourist facilities, restaurants, and accommodations in each area. Check the official website before you go!
How to purchase a pass
Passes can be purchased on the Internet（It can be booked in English）, at the bus operator service desks, designated travel agencies, or convenience stores.
Recommended sightseeing spots within the pass range
1 [Northern Kyushu + Shimonoseki]
(Yamaguchi) Shimonoseki, Karato Market; (Fukuoka) Tenjin, Hakata; (Saga) Yobuko, Ureshino; (Oita) Yufuin, Beppu; (Nagasaki) Nagasaki City, Huis Ten Bosch, and more.
2 [Southern Kyushu]
(Miyazaki) Aoshima, Takachiho; (Kagoshima) Sakurajima, Sengan-en; (Kumamoto) Kumamoto Castle, Mt. Aso, etc.
3 & 4 [All Kyushu + Shimonoseki]
Covers all of the above areas
With an Area 1 Pass, enjoy shopping in Tenjin, the No. 1 shopping district in Kyushu, and then savor fresh squid at Yobuko and bask in Oita's famous hot spring village. With an Area 2 Pass, you can take a ferry tour of Sakurajima, the symbol of Kagoshima, and relish natural spots such as lush green areas, islands, and Aso, as well as historical spots such as Kumamoto Castle.
Refer to the following for more information on the facilities mentioned in this article.
https://www.japan.travel/en/destinations/kyushu/
About Kyushu Hot Springs and Superb Views of the sea
JR Kyushu Rail Pass(All, North, South)
https://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/railpass/how_to_purchase.html
JR Kyushu Rail Pass (Fukuoka Wide)
https://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/widepass/purchase/
SunQPass
http://www.sunqpass.jp/english/
