Explore around Fukuoka

Access and Transportation

How to travel between Fukuoka and Tokyo

By shinkansen

Tokyo and Fukuoka (Hakata Station) are connected with each other by the Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen. The one way trip by direct Nozomi trains takes five hours and costs around 23,000 yen. Japan Rail Pass holders cannot use Nozomi trains, and have to ride Hikari and Sakura trains instead. This adds about one hour to the total travel time and requires a transfer of trains at Shin-Osaka Station.

By air

Tokyo-Fukuoka is one of the world's busiest air routes with dozens of departures per day, operated by JAL, ANA, Starflyer, Skymark, Peach and Jetstar Japan. Flight duration is about 110 minutes. Most flights use Tokyo's Haneda Airport, but a few flights also use Narita Airport. Fukuoka Airport is Japan's most easily accessible airport, only a five minute subway ride from the city's main railway station, Hakata Station.

The regular one way fare by JAL and ANA is around 45,000 yen, but discount fares are typically available for 11,000 to 19,000 yen. Starflyer is somewhat cheaper with a regular one way fare around 39,000 yen and typical discount fares around 12,000 to 27,000 yen. The cheapest options are Skymark, Peach and Jetstar Japan with one way fares of around 6,000 to 30,000 yen.

Airfares from Tokyo to Fukuoka over the next 30 days
Airline	Lowest fare	Average lowest fare
JAL	12,390 yen	24,400 yen
ANA	12,590 yen	23,000 yen
Skymark	8,890 yen	13,900 yen
Starflyer	12,290 yen	16,100 yen
Peach	5,880 yen	9,600 yen
Jetstar	7,920 yen	10,000 yen

By bus

Nishitetsu operates a daily night bus between Fukuoka and Tokyo (Shinjuku Bus Terminal above JR Shinjuku Station). The one way journey takes 14.5 hours and costs between 11,000 and 20,000 yen depending on the seat quality and season. Discounted round trip tickets are also available.

By ferry

Ocean Tokyu Ferry operates daily ferries between Tokyo (Tokyo Ferry Terminal on Odaiba) and Kitakyushu (Shin-Moji Port). The one way journey takes 34 hours and costs around 16,000 yen in the cheapest class. From Shin-Moji Port, Fukuoka can be reached in about 90 minutes and 1,470 yen by local trains or 40 minutes and 2,500 yen by shinkansen. Please visit our ferry page for more details.

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How to travel between Fukuoka and Kyoto

By shinkansen

Kyoto and Fukuoka (Hakata Station) are connected with each other by the JR Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen. By direct Nozomi trains, the one way journey takes about three hours, while the journey by Hikari and Sakura trains takes about 30 minutes longer and requires a transfer of trains at Shin-Osaka or Okayama Station.

The regular one way fare from Kyoto to Fukuoka is 15,120 yen by non-reserved seat on any train, around 15,500 yen by reserved seat on Hikari and Sakura trains and around 16,000 yen by reserved seat on a Nozomi train. The Japan Rail Pass is valid on Hikari and Sakura trains, but not on Nozomi trains.

By air

JAL, ANA, Peach and Jetstar Japan operate numerous flights per day between Osaka near Kyoto (Kansai Airport and Itami Airport) and Fukuoka. Flight time is about 75 minutes. The regular one way fare is around 27,000 yen by JAL and ANA; however, their discount tickets and the fares by Peach and Jetstar are typically available for around 4,000 to 15,000 yen. Fukuoka Airport is Japan's most easily accessible airport, as it can be reached in only five minutes by subway from Hakata Station.

By bus

Multiple companies operate overnight buses between Kyoto and Fukuoka. The one way fare is around 9000 to 10,000 yen. Fares by discount bus operators, such as Willer Express start around 3,500 yen. Online reservations can be made at Willer.

By ferry

Meimon Taiyo Ferry operates daily overnight ferries between nearby Osaka (Osaka Nanko Port) and Kitakyushu (Shin-Moji Port). The one way journey takes 12 hours and costs 6170 yen in the cheapest class. From Shin-Moji Port, Fukuoka can be reached in about 90 minutes and 1,470 yen by local trains or 40 minutes and 2,500 yen by shinkansen. Please visit our ferry page for more details.

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How to travel between Fukuoka and Osaka

By shinkansen

Osaka (Shin-Osaka Station) and Fukuoka (Hakata Station) are connected with each other by the JR Sanyo Shinkansen. By Nozomi or Mizuho train, the one way journey takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes, while Sakura trains require about 20 minutes longer.

The regular one way fare from Osaka to Fukuoka is 14,480 yen by non-reserved seat on any train, around 15,000 yen by reserved seat on a Sakura train and around 15,500 yen by reserved seat on a Nozomi or Mizuho train. The Japan Rail Pass is valid on Sakura, but not on Nozomi and Mizuho trains, while the JR Sanyo Sanin Pass is valid on all trains.

By air

JAL, ANA, Peach and Jetstar Japan operate numerous flights per day between Osaka (Kansai Airport and Itami Airport) and Fukuoka. Flight time is about 75 minutes. The regular one way fare is around 27,000 yen by JAL and ANA; however, their discount tickets and the fares by Peach and Jetstar are typically available for around 4,000 to 15,000 yen. Fukuoka Airport is Japan's most easily accessible airport, as it can be reached in only five minutes by subway from Hakata Station.

By bus

There are daytime and overnight buses between Osaka and Fukuoka. The one way journey takes about 9-10 hours and costs between 9,000 and 11,000 yen by regular bus companies. Fares by discount bus operators, such as Willer Express start around 3,500 yen. Online reservations can be made at Willer.

By ferry

Meimon Taiyo Ferry operates daily overnight ferries between Osaka (Osaka Nanko Port) and Kitakyushu (Shin-Moji Port). The one way journey takes 12 hours and costs 6170 yen in the cheapest class. From Shin-Moji Port, Fukuoka can be reached in about 90 minutes and 1,470 yen by local trains or 40 minutes and 2,500 yen by shinkansen. Please visit our ferry page for more details.

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How to travel between Fukuoka and Hiroshima

By shinkansen

Direct, 1 hour, about 9000 yen one way, multiple connections per hour

The one way ride between Hiroshima and Fukuoka's Hakata Station by JR Sanyo Shinkansen takes about one hour, costs around 9000 yen and is covered by the JR Sanyo Sanin Pass and JR Hiroshima Yamaguchi Area Pass. The Japan Rail Pass is valid on Sakura and Kodama trains, but it cannot be used on Nozomi and Mizuho trains.

By highway bus

Direct, 4.5 hours, 2500 to 4150 yen one way, multiple daytime and overnight connections per day

Multiple daytime highway buses and one overnight bus connect Hiroshima with Fukuoka. The one way ride takes about 4.5 hours and costs 4150 yen. Discount tickets for as low as 2500 yen are available if reserved in advance online (in Japanese).

By local trains

3 transfers, 6 hours, 2370 to 5230 yen one way

By local trains, the one way trip between Hiroshima to Fukuoka's Hakata Station takes about six hours and typically involves about three transfers of trains. The regular fare is a relatively expensive 5230 yen, however, with a Seishun 18 Kippu you could theoretically do the trip for as little as 2370 yen.

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How to travel between Fukuoka and Kumamoto

By shinkansen

The one way journey between Fukuoka's Hakata Station and Kumamoto by Kyushu Shinkansen takes about 30-40 minutes and costs 4,610 yen for an unreserved seat or around 5,000 yen for a reserved seat. It is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass and Kyushu Rail Pass. A set of two unreserved tickets (2��, nimaikippu) for use by one or two persons in either direction within a one month period is available for 7,460 yen.

By local trains

The one way journey between Fukuoka's Hakata Station and Kumamoto by local trains takes about 2.5 hours and costs 2130 yen. One transfer of trains is required along the way.

By bus

The one way journey between Fukuoka (Hakata Station) and Kumamoto (Kotsu Center) by highway bus takes about two hours and costs 2060 yen. There are several departures every hour. Furthermore, there are also hourly buses between Fukuoka Airport and Kumamoto.

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How to travel between Fukuoka and Kagoshima

By train

The one way journey between Fukuoka (Hakata Station) and Kagoshima (Kagoshima-Chuo Station) by Kyushu Shinkansen takes about 80-100 minutes, costs around 10,000 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass and the All Kyushu version of the Kyushu Rail Pass. A set of two unreserved tickets (2��, nimaikippu) for use by one or two persons in either direction within a one month period is available for 18,900 yen.

By highway bus

The one way journey by highway bus between Fukuoka and Kagoshima takes four hours and costs around 5,500 yen. There are departures every 30 to 60 minutes. Buses are operated by Nishitetsu and JR Kyushu Bus.

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How to travel between Fukuoka and Nagasaki

By JR limited express train

One or two limited express trains per hour operate between Fukuoka's Hakata Station and Nagasaki Station. The one way trip takes two hours and costs 4,190 yen by unreserved seat or around 4,500 yen by reserved seat. Discounted sets of two tickets (Ni-mai-kippu) cost 6,180 yen and sets of four tickets (Yon-mai-kippu) 11,000 yen. The trip is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass and the Kyushu Rail Pass.

By JR local trains

The one way trip by local trains takes 4-5 hours and costs 2810 yen. One transfer of trains is required along the way.

By highway bus

Nishitetsu highway buses operate every 15 minutes between Fukuoka (Hakata Station, Tenjin Bus Center) and Nagasaki Station. There are also hourly connections to/from Fukuoka Airport. The one way journey takes about 2.5 hours and costs 2570 yen.

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How to travel between Fukuoka and Beppu

By train

The one way journey by Sonic limited express train between Fukuoka's Hakata Station and Beppu takes two hours, costs around 5,500 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass and Kyushu Rail Pass. A set of two tickets (2��, nimaikippu) for use by one or two persons in either direction within a one month period is available for only 6,180 yen.

By bus

Nishitetsu Bus operates numerous highway buses per day between Fukuoka and Beppu. The one way journey takes 2.5 hours and costs 3,190 yen. In Fukuoka, all buses stop at Hakata Station and Tenjin Station, and a few also stop at Fukuoka Airport. In Beppu, buses stop at the Beppu Kitahama bus stop.

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How to travel between Fukuoka and Tokyo

By shinkansen

By air

Airfares from Tokyo to Fukuoka over the next 30 days
Airline	Lowest fare	Average lowest fare
JAL	12,390 yen	24,400 yen
ANA	12,590 yen	23,000 yen
Skymark	8,890 yen	13,900 yen
Starflyer	12,290 yen	16,100 yen
Peach	5,880 yen	9,600 yen
Jetstar	7,920 yen	10,000 yen

By bus

By ferry

Above fees and schedules are subject to change. For the current yen exchange rate, click here.

Orientation

Fukuoka is served by Japan Railways (JR), Nishitetsu Railways, three subway lines and a bus network. The city's main station is Hakata Station with direct connections to Honshu and across Kyushu, including Nagasaki, Kumamoto and Kagoshima.

The local railway company Nishitetsu is useful for visiting Dazaifu. Nishitetsu trains depart from Tenjin Station (also known as Nishitetsu Fukuoka Station) in the central entertainment and shopping district of Tenjin. Most city buses in Fukuoka are also operated by Nishitetsu.

The subway connects Hakata Station, Tenjin Station and Fukuoka Airport with each other and provides access to many of the city's tourist attractions. Fukuoka Airport is Japan's most centrally located airports, only a five minute subway ride from Hakata Station.

The 100 Yen Bus is a convenient, frequently running bus line that loops through the city center between Hakata and Tenjin Stations, passing by Canal City and the food stalls of Nakasu Island. Buses run at least once every 10 minutes, and the fare is 100 yen per ride.

Special Tickets

Prepaid Cards
Prepaid cards provide no savings over regular tickets, but can be more convenient to use. There are three prepaid cards in Fukuoka: Sugoca (by JR Kyushu), Nimoca (by Nishitetsu Railways) and Hayakaken (by Fukuoka Subways), but all of them can be used on all trains, subways and buses in the greater Fukuoka region. Seven other IC cards from other major cities of Japan, including Suica, can also be used. The cards can be purchased through ticket machines at all railway and subway stations.
Fukuoka Tourist City Pass (820 or 1340 yen)
This pass for exclusive use by foreign tourists is valid on one calendar day on virtually all trains and buses in Fukuoka, including the subway, JR and Nishitetsu. In addition, it provides free or discounted admission to some tourist sights. The 820 yen version is valid only in central Fukuoka, while the 1340 yen version also includes the Nishitetsu train to nearby Dazaifu. Sales locations include the tourist information desks at Hakata Station and Fukuoka Airport, and the ticket offices of the Hakata and Tenshin subway stations and bus terminals.
1-Day Subway Pass (520 or 620 yen)
Unlimited use of Fukuoka's subway lines on one calendar day. The ticket costs 620 yen on weekdays and 520 yen on weekends and national holidays. Sold through vending machines at all subway stations.