Buses are one of the most convenient ways to travel around Kyushu, especially areas still unconnected by bullet trains. Long distance buses can often be cheaper than trains.
Nishitetsu is the largest operator in Fukuoka servicing most parts of the prefecture. Their white buses with colored stripes are easily recognizable. Schedules are color-coded and posted at all bus stops. Nishitetsu operates routes on regular roads and offers highway bus services. Major bus centers are in Tenjin, Hakata and Kokura. For links to English timetables and route information, click here.
In Fukuoka City, all Nishitetsu buses have a flat rate of 150 yen between Hakata and Yakuin (Hakata Station ~ Kuramoto ~ Tenjin ~ Yakuin Station).
There are many private companies which operate bus routes around the city. For example, Kitakyushu City Bus operates in and around Kitakyushu, while Horikawa operates routes primarily in the Chikugo region.
When you ride a bus, be aware that buses operated by smaller, local companies may not accept payment by major IC cards. All buses are equipped with change converting machines so if you find yourself in a situation where you can’t use a card, you will be able to pay in cash or – if they exist – purchase an IC card for that company.
Highway Buses
Highway buses (or Intercity buses) can be reserved in advance online or at the highway bus ticket counters in major bus terminals. They are an affordable way to travel long distances. You can even get overnight buses for really long journeys. They stop at service stations and are generally quiet and comfortable. You should plan to be at your highway bus stop at least 10 minutes prior to departure.
Highway buses are run by various companies, so the easiest way to reserve the best ticket is through websites such as:
- idou.me – A site which compares various reservation sites to find the best price.
- Atbus-de – A Kyushu-based highway bus reservation site.
- bushikaku – Japan’s largest highway bus comparison site.
Please note that some websites may allow reservation in English, and others may switch to a Japanese website. Tickets in most cases may be purchased using credit card or paid for at a convenience store.