Introduction
JR Kyushu is the regional railway operator in the island of Kyushu, connecting Fukuoka, Kumamoto and Kagoshima.
Trains operated by JR Kyushu
JR Kyushu operates the Shinkansen high-speed railway service with trains running at a maximum speed of 240–320 km/h.
- - Kyushu Shinkansen between Fukuoka and Kagoshima
- - Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen between Takeo-Onsen and Nagasaki
Shinkansen trains carry Green Cars with business class seats and Ordinary Cars with standard class seats distributed in Reserved and Non-reserved seats. In total, Shinkansen trains offer three passengers classes: Green Car Seat, Reserved Seat and Non-reserved Seat.
For more information about travelling by train, please read our Train Guide in Japan.
Routes
Travel with ticket
We facilitate advance ticket booking for Shinkansen trains operated by JR Kyushu.
Kyushu Shinkansen serving Fukuoka, Kumamoto and Kagoshima
| Stations | MIZUHO | SAKURA | TSUBAME |
| Hakata | |||
| Shin-Tosu | — | ||
| Kurume | — | ||
| Chikugo-Funagoya | — | — | |
| Shin-Omuta | — | — | |
| Shin-Tamana | — | — | |
| Kumamoto | |||
| Shin-Yatsushiro | — | ||
| Shin-Minamata | — | ||
| Izumi | — | ||
| Sendai | |||
| Kagoshima-Chuo |
All trains stop, Some trains stop, — Trains do not stop
Travel with rail pass
We facilitate the purchase of different rail pass with JR Kyushu valid for unlimited travel between Fukuoka, Kumamoto and Kagoshima in Kyushu island.
Travellers with JR Kyushu Area Pass (3-day), JR Kyushu Area Pass (5-day) and JR Kyushu Area Pass (7-day) can travel on Express, Rapid and Local trains with Non-reserved seats. Passengers can also travel on Shinkansen trains and Limited Express trains with Non-reserved seat or travel on Reserved Seat by receiving a Reserved Seat ticket before boarding, as this is included in the rail pass.
Kyushu Area Pass (3-day)
Passengers can travel on Shinkansen and Limited Express trains, as well as Express, Rapid or Local trains in the available area for 3 consecutive days.
Kyushu Area Pass (5-day)
Passengers can travel on Shinkansen and Limited Express trains, as well as Express, Rapid or Local trains in the available area for 5 consecutive days.
Kyushu Area Pass (7-day)
Passengers can travel on Shinkansen and Limited Express trains, as well as Express, Rapid or Local trains in the available area for 7 consecutive days.
Destinations
JR Kyushu serves the following destinations in Japan:
Kyushu island
Kyushu island is the third largest of Japan's five main islands. This region is served by the Kyushu Shinkansen trains operated by JR Kyushu.
Train routes to Fukuoka
Train routes to Kumamoto
Train routes to Kagoshima
Change policy
The following change terms apply to the train fares:
| JR Kyushu | Change time/date |
| Fare Green car seat (Kyushu) | Permitted |
| Fare Ordinary car seat (Kyushu) | Permitted |
| Fare Kyushu Pass (3-day) | Permitted |
| Fare Kyushu Pass (5-day) | Permitted |
| Fare Kyushu Pass (7-day) | Permitted |
In accordance with the policy of JR Kyushu, once issued the exchange order (E-TICKET) can be exchanged within 90 days.
Cancellation policy
The following cancellation terms apply to the train fares:
| JR Kyushu | Cancellation before departure |
| Fare Green car seat (Kyushu) | Permitted with fees |
| Fare Ordinary car seat (Kyushu) | Permitted with fees |
| Fare Kyushu Pass (3-day) | Permitted with fees |
| Fare Kyushu Pass (5-day) | Permitted with fees |
| Fare Kyushu Pass (7-day) | Permitted with fees |
If you wish to cancel your rail pass with JR Kyushu, kindly manage your booking and request a cancellation to proceed with the refund. This option is available until 1 day before departure.
Service fees will not be refunded. Cancellation fees will apply.
- 200 JPY per ticket if the exchange order (E-TICKET) has not been exchanged
- 10% of the ticket fare + 200 JPY per ticket if the exchange order (E-TICKET) has been exchanged but the rail pass has not been used
- No refund if the rail pass has been used, expired, lost or stolen