Explore Japan’s Southwesternmost Kyushu Island With the JR Kyushu Rail Pass

Find the best JR Kyushu Rail Pass for your trip

There are three types of the JR Kyushu Rail Pass available: the All of Kyushu pass, the Northern Kyushu pass, and the Southern Kyushu pass. Only foreign passport holders with a short-term stay visa (up to 90 days) are eligible to purchase these tickets.

The JR Kyushu Rail Pass enables you to smoothly pass through the automatic ticket gates at stations without needing to purchase tickets every time you travel. The available areas and trains differ according to the type of JR Kyushu Rail Pass you choose, so be sure to check that your destinations are covered before making your purchase.

Get around Kyushu with the JR Kyushu Rail Pass (All of Kyushu)

The JR Kyushu Rail Pass (All of Kyushu) is designed for those who want to explore the entire Kyushu island. It’s available for either three, five, or seven consecutive days. The pass allows you to use regular trains and limited express trains (reserved and non-reserved seats) on JR lines across Kyushu, as well as the Kyushu Shinkansen between Hakata Station and Kagoshima Chuo Station (reserved and non-reserved seats.) Please note that the Sanyo Shinkansen between Kokura Station and Hakata Station, as well as subways, private railways, and buses, are not covered by the pass.

Visit Nagasaki, Saga, and Fukuoka prefectures with the JR Kyushu Rail Pass (Northern Kyushu)

The JR Kyushu Rail Pass (Northern Kyushu) lets you explore the northern area of the island for either three or five consecutive days. Eligible trains include regular JR trains, limited express trains (reserved and non-reserved seats) running in Nagasaki, Saga, Fukuoka, northern Kumamoto, and northern Oita prefectures, as well as the Kyushu Shinkansen from Hakata Station to Kumamoto Station (reserved and non-reserved seats.) Keep in mind that the pass cannot be used on the Sanyo Shinkansen between Kokura Station and Hakata Station, as well as subways, buses, and private railways.

Explore Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefectures with the JR Kyushu Rail Pass (Southern Kyushu)

The JR Kyushu Rail Pass (Southern Kyushu) is the perfect option for exploring the southern part of the island. Unlike the other two JR Kyushu Rail passes, the Southern Kyushu one is available for only three consecutive days. It covers regular JR trains and limited express trains (both reserved and non-reserved seats) operating in Kagoshima, Miyazaki, southern Kumamoto, and southern Oita prefectures, as well as the Kyushu Shinkansen between Kumamoto Station and Kagoshima Chuo Station (both reserved and non-reserved seats.) Please be aware that this pass cannot be used on private railways, subways, and buses.

How to purchase and use the JR Kyushu Rail Pass

To purchase the JR Kyushu Rail Pass, you’ll need to be a foreign passport holder, and visiting on a short-term stay visa. There are four purchasing options available, enabling you to select the one that best suits your needs. To ensure a smooth trip, we recommend carefully reviewing the instructions beforehand to avoid any confusion.

Purchase and exchange methods

There are four methods for purchasing the JR Kyushu Rail Pass: buying directly on WAmazing Transport, booking online, purchasing a voucher from a travel agency, or buying directly at a designated counter upon arrival in Japan. If you purchase your ticket or voucher online or through a travel agency, you'll need to exchange it for a pass upon arrival in Japan. When exchanging the pass, ensure you have your passport and the reserved ticket or voucher with you.

*How to purchase the JR Kyushu Rail Pass via WAmazing:
You can conveniently purchase all three JR Kyushu Rail Passes on WAmazing Transport.

*How to purchase the JR Kyushu Rail Pass online:
Purchase your tickets online via the JR Kyushu Rail Pass Online Booking system and exchange them for a pass at the designated ticket counter upon arrival in Japan.

*How to purchase the JR Kyushu Rail Pass overseas:
Purchase a voucher for the JR Kyushu Rail Pass at overseas travel agencies. Upon arrival in Japan, exchange the voucher for the pass at designated ticket counters. However, please note that the voucher is valid for only three months after purchase.

*How to purchase in Japan:
You can also purchase the JR Kyushu Rail Pass conveniently at stations and airports in Japan after your arrival, eliminating the need to buy it in advance. Your passport will be required when purchasing.

Reserving seats

Seat reservations on the Kyushu Shinkansen and limited express trains can be made through the JR Kyushu Rail Pass Online Booking system and at JR Ticket Counters (Midori no Madoguchi) in Japan. When making an online reservation, note that there is an additional reservation fee. However, reserving a seat at a JR Ticket Counter within Japan is free of charge.

Please note that there are restrictions on the number of times you can reserve a seat. For the Northern and Southern Kyushu passes, you have six free seat reservations, while the All of Kyushu pass allows unlimited free seat reservations. If you exceed these limits, additional charges will apply, so be sure to take note of the number of reservations you have made.

Seats for popular limited express trains such as the Trans-Kyushu Limited Express and Limited Express "Yufuin no Mori" may be difficult to reserve, so we recommend making reservations in advance as early as possible.

Visit Kyushu's top destinations with the JR Kyushu Rail Pass

With the JR Kyushu Rail Pass, you can easily explore different parts of the island, hopping on and off trains conveniently. It's a budget-friendly option for traveling around Kyushu. Read on to discover popular destinations accessible with the JR Kyushu Rail Pass.

Hakata and Moji Port

The Hakata district in Fukuoka City, situated by the bay, is the gateway to Kyushu. Key attractions include Kushida Shrine, the starting point of the Hakata Gion Yamakasa Festival, and Hakata Port Tower, which offers a panoramic view of Hakata Port from its 70-meter high observation deck. Don't miss Nakasu Yataigai (food stall street) and local delicacies like motsunabe (offal hot pot) and Hakata ramen.

Additionally, you can reach Moji Port in Kitakyushu City by JR train from Hakata. Facing the Kanmon Strait, Moji Port retains a nostalgic charm and is popular among both domestic and international visitors. Known as Moji Port Retro, the area features attractions such as Mojiko Station, restored to its original state from 1891, the Dalian Friendship Memorial Hall, the Former Moji Mitsui Club, an important cultural property where German physicist Albert Einstein is said to have stayed, and the Kyushu Railway History Museum.

Yufuin Onsen and Beppu Onsen

Oita Prefecture, known as the Hot Spring Prefecture, boasts more hot springs and a higher output of hot spring water than any other prefecture. Beppu Onsen and Yufuin Onsen are particularly popular destinations.

In Beppu City, there are eight distinct hot springs, collectively known as Beppu Hatto. Beppu Onsen, one of the most famous, offers visitors the chance to experience seven different types of hot springs through the Jigoku Meguri (Hell Tour).

Yufuin Onsen, on the other hand, is known for its peaceful scenery and the absence of large accommodation facilities, making it a tranquil retreat.

Aso and Kumamoto

One of the standout attractions in Aso is Mount Aso's Nakadake, an active volcano. Mount Aso is made up of five peaks—Mount Taka, Mount Neko, Mount Naka, Mount Eboshi, and Mount Kishima—along with the surrounding outer rim mountains and caldera. Public transportation makes Mount Aso easily accessible, so a car isn't necessary to visit. Be sure to stop by when you visit Kyushu to see the ancient active crater. Since it is still an active volcano, check for any entry restrictions before sightseeing. In Kumamoto, other notable spots include Kumamoto Castle and the Amakusa Shiro Museum, which chronicles the history of Christianity in the region.

Ibusuki Onsen and Sakurajima

Ibusuki Onsen is renowned for its unique steam sand baths, where the entire body is buried in hot sand to enhance blood circulation. After warming your body in the sand, taking a soak in the hot spring further promotes relaxation.

Sakurajima Island and its volcano became connected to the Osumi Peninsula in Kagoshima following its 1914 eruption. Similar to Mount Aso, Sakurajima remains an active volcano emitting smoke. The view of Sakurajima and Kagoshima Bay from the Arimura Lava Observation Deck, constructed on the lava flow from the 1914 eruption, offers a breathtaking view.

Discover Kyushu with the JR Kyushu Rail Pass

Explore Kyushu's seven prefectures with ease and affordability. This convenient pass offers multiple options, from purchasing methods to usage instructions, ensuring a smooth and budget-friendly adventure across the entire island. Grab your JR Kyushu Rail Pass and get ready to experience all that Kyushu has to offer.

Explore more of Japan by using one of the many different transportation passes.

*The information in this article, such as prices and business hours, was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change. Please refer to the official website(s) for the latest information.