Fukuoka has multiple options for travel by train. Whether connected by Japan Railways, Fukuoka City Subway, Nishi-Nippon Railway, Kitakyushu Monorail, or one of the three private railways, you are sure to be able to travel far and wide easily via train in Fukuoka.
Types of train
There are multiple types of trains which will affect the duration of your journey:
- Local (普通 futsū) trains stop at all stations on a train line. Many of the smaller lines only run local trains.
- Rapid (快速 kaisoku) trains skip smaller stations but cost the same as local trains.
- Regional Rapid (区間快速 kukan kaisoku) trains, similar to rapid trains, skip smaller stations (in a specified area), but become a local (stop at all stations) after the designated section ends. They cost the same as local and rapid trains.
- Limited Express (特急 tokkyū) trains stop at fewer stations than rapid trains, travel much faster, and have nicer seats and carriages. There is an extra seat fee you must pay either before your travel or when the train attendant approaches you at your seat. The price of the extra fee depends on how far you will be travelling.
- Bullet Trains (新幹線 shinkansen) are best suited for fast, long distance travel, but can also be useful for fast hops between Kokura and Hakata (Kitakyushu and Fukuoka City) Stations. They are the most expensive form of land travel in Japan, however they are very convenient. Passengers must pay a seat fee before entering the ticket turnstiles. You can purchase either a basic, non-reserved (自由席, jiyūseki) ticket or a reserved seat (指定席, shiteiseki) for a larger fee.
Japan Railways (JR)
There are eight intercity JR lines and two Bullet Train lines in Fukuoka, lending to extensive public transportation links around the prefecture and to the rest of Japan. By using the bullet train, you can travel all the way down to Kagoshima Prefecture, or up to Osaka. Some trains can even connect you straight through to Tokyo.
Fukuoka City Subway
Please click here for more information about the Fukuoka City Subway.
Nishi-Nippon Railway (Nishitetsu)
Nishitetsu’s main hub is Tenjin (downtown Fukuoka City). There are local, rapid, express, and limited express trains, however all costs are based on distance rather than speed (meaning you can travel faster for the same price!)
Other trains
Other train lines which operate in Fukuoka are:
- Kitakyushu Monorail
- Amagi Railway (Amatetsu)
- Chikuhō Electric Railroad (Chikutetsu)
- Heisei Chikuhō Railway (Heichiku)