Kyushu Rail Pass

Kyushu is the southern island, and it rewards a pass more than most regions because the distances are real and the Shinkansen runs its full length. JR Kyushu sells three versions: the whole island, the north, or the south, over three, five or seven consecutive days.

Which version to buy

The three versions are not simply longer and shorter, they cover different ground, and the boundaries are firm.

• All Kyushu covers the whole island, including the full Kyushu Shinkansen from Hakata down to Kagoshima-Chuo and the Nishikyushu Shinkansen to Nagasaki
• Northern Kyushu is not valid south of Oita and Misumi. Good for Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Beppu and Yufuin
• Southern Kyushu is not valid north of Kumamoto and Oita, and only comes as a three day pass. Good for Kagoshima, Miyazaki and the volcanic south

If your trip crosses the middle of the island in either direction, take the All Kyushu version. The saving on the regional passes disappears the moment you need a separate ticket for one long leg.

What it covers

Unlimited travel on JR Kyushu trains within the chosen zone, including all Shinkansen services on the island and the limited express network, which on Kyushu is unusually characterful.

• Kyushu Shinkansen, Hakata to Kagoshima-Chuo
• Nishikyushu Shinkansen to Nagasaki, which opened in 2022
• Limited express services including the Sonic, Kamome, Yufuin no Mori and Aso Boy
• Rapid and local JR Kyushu trains

The important exclusion is the Sanyo Shinkansen between Hakata and Osaka, which is operated by JR West and is not covered. Getting to Kyushu from Kansai needs a separate ticket or a different pass.

Is it worth it?

The benchmark is simple. A return trip between Fukuoka and Kagoshima on regular tickets costs around ¥20,000, which is roughly the price of the three day All Kyushu pass on its own. Anything beyond that single journey is profit.

Booking through the official JR Kyushu website takes ¥1,000 off, which is worth doing if you are organised. Seat reservations are free, unlimited on the All Kyushu pass, and capped at six on the Northern and Southern versions.

Highlights across the island

Fukuoka is the entry point for most, and the yatai food stalls along the river are the reason to stay a night. Nagasaki carries a complicated and moving history alongside a harbour setting and strong Chinese and Portuguese influence in its food.

Kumamoto has one of the great castles, still being restored after the 2016 earthquake. Beppu and Yufuin are the hot spring towns, with Beppu the theatrical one and Yufuin the refined one. Kagoshima sits across the bay from Sakurajima, an active volcano that regularly dusts the city in ash.

How to buy and activate

Buy online through JR Kyushu or an overseas agent, then collect the physical pass at a major station in the coverage area or at the international terminal counter at Fukuoka Airport. Note that the Northern and Southern versions are only sold within their respective areas.

Validity runs on consecutive calendar days from midnight to midnight, not 24 hour periods, so a pass activated in the evening loses that day.

Frequently asked questions

Does it cover the Shinkansen from Osaka to Fukuoka?

No. That is the Sanyo Shinkansen, operated by JR West, and it is excluded from all versions of the Kyushu Rail Pass.

Is there a five day Southern Kyushu pass?

No. The Southern version is sold as a three day pass only.

Are seat reservations free?

Yes. Unlimited on the All Kyushu pass, and capped at six free reservations on the Northern and Southern versions.

Can I save by booking online?

Yes, ¥1,000 off if you book through the official JR Kyushu website rather than an agent.

Check Kyushu Rail Pass prices