Kyushu Shinkansen and limited express trains from Hakata

Find trains from Hakata to Kumamoto, Kagoshima, Nagasaki, Yufuin and Beppu, including the Takeo-Onsen transfer, reserved seats and regional rail pass coverage.

Last checked:

  • Shinkansen
  • Transport
  • Independent travel

From Hakata, Kyushu rail travel mainly follows three directions: the Kyushu Shinkansen to the south, the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen toward Nagasaki (requiring a transfer), and limited express trains southeast toward Yufuin and Beppu. A destination table first shows which train to take, followed by transfer points and pass coverage. Fares and departure times are not included because they change with dates and services; check the JR Kyushu official website before traveling. For pass prices, see Kyushu transport passes.

Destinations from Hakata

Destination Which train Transfer needed? Pass coverage
Kumamoto Kyushu Shinkansen No All Kyushu and Northern Kyushu valid; Southern Kyushu covers only Kumamoto to Kagoshima-Chuo
Kagoshima-Chuo (Kagoshima) Kyushu Shinkansen No All Kyushu covers the complete route; Northern covers up to Kumamoto, Southern from Kumamoto onward; neither one alone covers the full journey
Nagasaki Limited express Relay Kamome () to Takeo-Onsen , then Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen Kamome () Yes, at Takeo-Onsen All Kyushu and Northern Kyushu valid; Southern Kyushu not valid
Yufuin and Beppu Limited express Yufuin no Mori () and others Depends on the train All Kyushu and Northern Kyushu cover Yufuin no Mori; Southern Kyushu does not

Kyushu Shinkansen

  • Official information: The Shin-Yatsushiro to Kagoshima-Chuo section opened in 2004, and the Hakata to Shin-Yatsushiro section opened in 2011, completing the Hakata to Kagoshima-Chuo line
  • No transfer is needed from Hakata to Kumamoto or Kagoshima
  • Pass restrictions: Northern Kyushu covers only Hakata to Kumamoto on the Shinkansen; Southern Kyushu covers only Kumamoto to Kagoshima-Chuo; All Kyushu has no such restriction
  • For a north-to-south journey such as Fukuoka to Kagoshima, buying only the Northern or Southern pass leaves part of the Shinkansen outside coverage, requiring an additional ticket or an All Kyushu pass

For comparisons of rail and bus travel from Fukuoka to Kumamoto and Kagoshima, see the forthcoming articles.

Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen: transfer at Takeo-Onsen

  • Official information: The Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen opened on 23 September 2022, covering Takeo-Onsen to Nagasaki
  • There is no direct Shinkansen from Hakata to Nagasaki. JR Kyushu uses a relay system: take the conventional-line limited express Relay Kamome to Takeo-Onsen, then transfer on the same platform to the Kamome Shinkansen for Nagasaki
  • Actual connection times vary by train. Travelers carrying substantial luggage should allow enough time and consult the official timetable

For choosing rail or bus from Fukuoka to Nagasaki, see Fukuoka to Nagasaki transport.

Toward Yufuin and Beppu: Yufuin no Mori and other limited expresses

  • Official information: Yufuin no Mori runs from Hakata through Yufuin to Beppu, stopping at Tosu, Kurume, Hita, Amagase, and Bungo-Mori (on the Hakata–Yufuin section only). Oita Station is an intermediate stop on Beppu-bound services
  • Services: 2 daily round trips between Hakata and Yufuin, and 1 between Hakata and Beppu (official information from January 2026); on some days only Yufuin services run
  • All seats reserved: A seat reservation is required, and the official site notes that services frequently sell out
  • Official journey times: Hakata to Yufuin about 2 hours 10 minutes to 2 hours 20 minutes; Hakata to Beppu about 3 hours 20 minutes to 3 hours 35 minutes (calculated from official timetables)
  • On non-operating days, the Yufu () runs at the same times; occasionally the train is shortened from 5 cars to 4
  • The official site also lists the Sonic () limited express, an intercity train in eastern Kyushu; check the official timetable for your route

For more on the journey, see Yufuin no Mori from Fukuoka.

Other officially listed limited express and sightseeing trains

Train Official description
Huis Ten Bosch Limited express direct to Huis Ten Bosch
Kyushu Odan Tokkyu Limited express serving well-known tourist destinations
Yufuin no Mori Resort train to Yufuin Onsen

Tickets and seat reservations

  • For pass holders’ seat-reservation rules and purchase methods, see Pass comparison
  • Schedules are adjusted seasonally. The official site warns that timetables may be valid for only a few months

For transport IC cards, see Transport IC cards and Suica; for general Shinkansen rules, see Shinkansen.

Sources