Getting to Kyushu
It’s closer than you think
Kyushu is well-connected to the rest of Japan and the world, with international ports and airports and direct access to the island of Honshu by shinkansen and road. Whichever way you travel, you will find a warm welcome.
Each prefecture of Kyushu has its own airport, with direct flights from major cities like Tokyo and Osaka, in 2 hours or less. Fukuoka is Kyushu's busiest airport, with flights from other Asian cities including Singapore, Seoul and Shanghai.
Hakata Station in Fukuoka and Kagoshima-Chuo in Kagoshima are major stops on Tokaido / Sanyo shinkansen line from Tokyo, via Nagoya, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima. The trip to Hakata takes around 5 to 6 hours from Tokyo, depending on which train you take. If you have a Japan Rail Pass, you can also use your pass within Kyushu. There are several options for JR Kyushu Rail Pass that can help international visitors get around for a reasonable cost. The passes cover JR Kyushu trains within a specific area, from shinkansen services to local trains, and many sightseeing trains.
If you prefer the scenic sea route, you can reach Fukuoka by ferry from Tokyo in three days, via the island of Shikoku. There are faster services from Osaka and Kobe to Fukuoka, Oita and Kagoshima. You can reach Fukuoka from Busan South Korea, in just over 3 hours by high speed ferry. The Japan Ferry Pass 21 is a cost-effective way to travel to and from Kyushu and around Japan.
