Can I travel around Kyushu with a rail pass?

Find out how the JR Kyushu Rail Pass works, which area version fits Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kumamoto or Kagoshima, and what it leaves out.

Published October 20, 2026 at 6:51 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Yes, visitors can travel around Kyushu with the JR Kyushu Rail Pass, which is sold in All Kyushu, Northern Kyushu and Southern Kyushu versions lasting 3 to 7 consecutive days. It covers JR local and limited express trains and the Kyushu Shinkansen within the chosen area. It is for foreign visitors with Temporary Visitor status, so check the official page for current details.

The short answer

Kyushu is the third largest of Japan's main islands and lies in the southwest. Its rail network is run mostly by JR Kyushu, which sells the JR Kyushu Rail Pass for overseas visitors. The pass comes in three area versions, so a traveler can match it to a plan that stays in the north, the south, or crosses the whole island. Inside the chosen area the holder can ride covered trains as often as they like for the pass days.

Covered services include local trains, limited express trains and the Kyushu Shinkansen, the bullet train line that runs from Hakata in Fukuoka south to Kagoshima. The Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen, a short bullet train line to Nagasaki, is included in the All Kyushu and Northern Kyushu versions. A pass does not mean that every transport service in Kyushu is free, so the details below matter.

Three versions of the pass

According to the JR Kyushu page, the All Kyushu pass comes in 3, 5 and 7 day versions, the Northern Kyushu pass in 3 and 5 day versions, and the Southern Kyushu pass in a 3 day version only. Adult prices listed on the page were 22,000 yen, 24,000 yen and 26,000 yen for All Kyushu, 15,000 yen and 17,000 yen for Northern Kyushu, and 12,000 yen for Southern Kyushu. Children aged 6 to 11 pay half.

All Kyushu covers the island. Northern Kyushu covers Fukuoka, Oita, Kumamoto, Nagasaki and Saga, with the bullet train between Hakata and Kumamoto. Southern Kyushu covers Oita, Kumamoto, Miyazaki and Kagoshima, with the bullet train between Kumamoto and Kagoshima-chuo. Prices change, so confirm them before buying. The Southern version has the lowest listed price and suits trips that stay around Kumamoto, Miyazaki and Kagoshima without heading north to Fukuoka or Nagasaki.

Reaching Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kumamoto and Kagoshima

Fukuoka, where the main station is called Hakata, is the usual starting point for the northern pass. From Hakata the Kyushu Shinkansen runs south through Kumamoto to Kagoshima-chuo, and Kumamoto is the stop for the castle and for trips toward Mount Aso. Trains from Hakata to Kagoshima-chuo on the full line take under two hours on the fastest services, which makes a day trip between the two ends of the island possible, though a night in each city is more relaxed.

Nagasaki is reached by changing at Takeo-onsen, where a Relay Kamome limited express from Hakata connects with the Kamome bullet train to Nagasaki. The transfer is described as a cross-platform change timed at about three minutes, with Hakata to Nagasaki taking roughly 90 minutes in total. Nagasaki is covered by All Kyushu and Northern Kyushu but not by Southern Kyushu, while Kagoshima is covered by All Kyushu and Southern Kyushu.

Who may buy the pass

The JR Kyushu page says the pass is for non-Japanese visitors who come to Japan for sightseeing with Temporary Visitor status and who live outside Japan. The passport must show a temporary visitor stamp or seal, and travelers who use an automated gate at the airport should request one. The pass can only be used by the purchaser, who must carry the passport while traveling.

Families can buy child passes at half price, and age is judged at purchase for passes bought overseas, or on the first valid day for passes bought in Kyushu or online. Residents of Japan are not eligible. Older travelers may find the reserved seat rules useful, because All Kyushu includes unlimited free reservations while the Northern and Southern versions allow six.

What the pass does not cover

The JR Kyushu page lists several exclusions. The Sanyo Shinkansen between Kokura and Hakata is not included, which matters for travelers arriving from Honshu by bullet train. Subways, JR Kyushu buses and railways owned by other companies are also excluded, and Green Car seats require an extra fee.

Days must be used consecutively with no gaps, so a rest day in the middle still counts. Some travelers expect a pass to include local city buses and trams, but those are separate services run by other companies. Plan for an IC card (a rechargeable transit card) or cash for those rides, and keep a little time free in the schedule for walking between stations and sights.

Is the pass worth it

A pass pays off when the trip includes several long rides, for instance Hakata to Kagoshima and back plus a side trip to Nagasaki. For a short visit to Fukuoka alone, regular tickets are often cheaper. The best test is to add up regular fares and reserved seat fees for the legs planned, then compare the total with the price of the pass for the chosen days.

There are also smaller passes. JR Kyushu also links to a separate Mobile Pass on its site, which is worth a look for short stays, though its area, length and seat rules are best checked on that page. Buses and ferries are covered by a different type of ticket, sold for areas in Kyushu, which suits bus-based trips better than the rail pass.

Buying, planning and next steps

The pass can usually be bought online or through travel agencies overseas, and the JR Kyushu page says it can be picked up at designated ticket offices in Japan. Sales start dates and prices can differ between online booking, agencies and ticket offices, so compare them. A passport is required both to buy and to collect the pass. Families traveling together should each carry their own passport, since the pass can only be used by the person who bought it and must be shown with the passport on board.

Choose the version that matches your route, note the exclusions, and reserve seats on popular bullet train services. This guide shares general information; rules change, so confirm details with the official agency or provider before you act. Also check for any service changes, since weather and maintenance can affect schedules in Kyushu, and allow extra time on days with connections such as the one at Takeo-onsen for Nagasaki.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which JR Kyushu pass includes Nagasaki?

The All Kyushu and Northern Kyushu passes include Nagasaki, including the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen to the city. The Southern Kyushu pass does not. Travelers combining Nagasaki with Kagoshima may want the All Kyushu version.

Can a pass be used to reach Kyushu from Honshu?

Not entirely. The pass excludes the Sanyo Shinkansen between Kokura and Hakata. Many visitors cross to Kyushu on another ticket or pass, then start the Kyushu pass at Hakata or another station in the area. Check the official page for the latest rules.

Are seat reservations free with the pass?

Reservations are free and unlimited with the All Kyushu version, while Northern and Southern Kyushu allow up to six reservations. Extra reservations need a paid ticket. Green Car upgrades cost more, so ask about the fee at a ticket office.

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