Discover why Kyushu is Japan's ultimate railway paradise. Ride world-famous "Design & Story" (D&S) trains created by legendary designer Eiji Mitooka, zoom on bullet trains, and travel with ease using the JR Kyushu Rail Pass.
D&S Designer Trains
Travel Savings with Pass
Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen
Seamless Rail Network
In Kyushu, trains are not merely transportation—they are rolling destinations. From gold-leaf ceiling dining cars to wood-paneled kids lounge cars, every trip is an unforgettable journey.
Designed by industrial master Eiji Mitooka, Kyushu's trains feature rich natural woods, traditional Kumiko woodwork, bold graphics, and luxurious textiles.
Rail lines traverse active volcanic caldera rims, emerald river gorges, coastal sea cliffs, and mist-shrouded tea plantations.
Savor gourmet regional bento boxes (Ekiben), crafts, and complimentary commemorative stamp cards presented by attentive train attendants.
The JR Kyushu Rail Pass grants unlimited rides on Shinkansen, limited express trains, and scenic D&S trains at a fraction of point-to-point fares.
Select the perfect pass based on your travel itinerary. Overseas visitors receive consecutive days of unlimited rail travel and free seat reservations.
| Pass Type | Valid Duration | Coverage Area | Included Trains | Seat Reservations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
All Kyushu Area Pass All 7 Prefectures |
3, 5, or 7 Consecutive Days | Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Oita, Kumamoto, Miyazaki, Kagoshima | Kyushu Shinkansen, Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen, All Limited Express & D&S Trains | 🎫 JR KYUSHU RAILPASS Online Booking |
|
Northern Kyushu Area Pass Northern 5 Prefectures |
3 or 5 Consecutive Days | Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Oita, Kumamoto (North of Kumamoto City) | Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen, Sonic, Yufuin no Mori, Aso Boy!, Midori, Huis Ten Bosch | 🎫 JR KYUSHU RAILPASS Online Booking |
|
Southern Kyushu Area Pass Southern 3 Prefectures |
3 Consecutive Days | Kumamoto, Kagoshima, Miyazaki | Kyushu Shinkansen (Kumamoto–Kagoshima-Chuo), Kirishima, Umisachi Yamasachi | 🎫 JR KYUSHU RAILPASS Online Booking |
Purchase online prior to arrival or at major JR Kyushu Travel Service Centers (Hakata, Kokura, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Kagoshima-Chuo). Bring your passport with a "Temporary Visitor" visa stamp.
Popular D&S trains like Yufuin no Mori sell out weeks in advance. If you buy your pass via the official JR Kyushu Rail Pass Online Booking site, you can reserve seats online before arriving in Japan.
Passes do not cover the Sanyo Shinkansen (Hakata to Shin-Osaka operated by JR West), Seven Stars in Kyushu, or Aru Ressha (Sweet Train requires special package tickets).
Experience the flagship "Design & Story" fleet. Each train is individually themed to celebrate local folklore, nature, and craftsmanship.
FOREST RESORT
An elegant classic metallic-green resort train with high-decked seats, warm timber interiors, and large windows looking over waterfalls and cedar forests.
FAMILY & SCENIC
Created for families and travelers traversing Mt. Aso's caldera. Features 360-degree panoramic seats, a wooden ball pit, cafe bar, and the playful mascot "Kuro-chan".
LUXURY DAY EXPRESS
Circuits All 7 Prefectures
A dark-gilded 6-car luxury express featuring tatami-matted private compartments, a traditional shoji screen lounge, and an artisanal Japanese sake bar.
COASTAL VISTAS
A pristine white train taking scenic coastal detours along the tranquil Ariake Sea and Omura Bay. Enjoy local seaweed snacks and sake in the central lounge car.
BULLET TRAIN
Japan's newest Shinkansen line. Features sleek red and white styling, customized seat fabrics, and slashes travel time to historic Nagasaki harbor down to 30 minutes.
ULTIMATE CRUISE
Japan’s premier luxury sleeper train. Limited to just 20 guests per journey, combining exquisite porcelain, live piano performances, and Michelin-star dining.
Incorporate designer trains into seamless multi-day travel routes using your JR Kyushu Rail Pass.
Hakata → Yufuin → Beppu → Mt. Aso → Kumamoto
Board the Yufuin no Mori express from Hakata Station. Enjoy tea and bento while passing through mountain valleys to Yufuin Onsen.
Ride the local JR Line to Beppu. Witness the steaming "Hells of Beppu" and soak in historic sand baths.
Board the Aso Boy! train across the volcanic caldera rim. Stop at Aso Station for crater views before arriving in Kumamoto.
Explore Kumamoto Castle, then catch the Kyushu Shinkansen back to Hakata in just 38 minutes.
Hakata → Takeo-Onsen → Nagasaki → Saga
Ride the Relay-Kamome express to Takeo-Onsen and cross-platform transfer to the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen to Nagasaki.
Board the Two Stars 4047 sightseeing train running along the Ariake Sea. Sample local roasted tea and fresh seafood.
Stop over in Arita and Imari porcelain towns before returning to Hakata on the Midori express train.
Practical advice to make your JR train journey smooth, comfortable, and memorable.
On the Kyushu Shinkansen, luggage with total dimensions (length + width + height) over 160cm requires a seat reservation with an oversized baggage area at the back of the car.
Download the official JR Kyushu Rail Pass booking portal app to manage your reserved seats, check live timetables, and verify platform numbers in English.
Before boarding at Hakata or Kumamoto Station, visit the Ekiben-ya shop. Try famous local bento boxes like Hakata Tonkotsu Ramen bento or Miyazaki Chicken Nanban bento.
Every major JR Kyushu train station and D&S train features a custom commemorative ink stamp. Bring a small notebook to collect unique artistic stamps along your travel route!
