JR Sanyo Sanin Northern Kyushu Pass

The JR Sanyo Sanin Northern Kyushu Pass is a rail pass for exclusive use by foreign tourists, providing seven consecutive days of unlimited travel on designated JR train and bus lines (including shinkansen and limited express trains) in the Chugoku Region, northern Kyushu and parts of the Kansai Region. The pass is essentially a combination of the Sanyo Sanin Area Pass and the Northern Kyushu version of the Kyushu Rail Pass.

Purchase the Sanyo Sanin Northern Kyushu Pass

Validity

1. Unlimited use of local, rapid and limited express JR trains in the coverage area shown on the map above, including trains along the Chizukyu Express Line between Kamigori and Chizu, a non-JR line that provides the fastest train access to Tottori. In Kyushu, the pass is not valid south of Oita and Misumi.
2. Unlimited use of the Sanyo Shinkansen (including Nozomi and Mizuho) between Shin-Osaka and Fukuoka's Hakata Station, the Kyushu Shinkansen between Hakata and Kumamoto, and the Nishikyushu Shinkansen. The Tokaido Shinkansen between Kyoto and Osaka is not covered.
3. Seat reservations can be made for free (see details below).
4. Unlimited use of the Kyoto Tango Railway, which provides access to Amanohashidate.
5. Unlimited use of JR ferry to Miyajima.
6. Unlimited use of local JR buses around Kyoto, Hiroshima and Yamaguchi, including buses between Kyoto Station, Takao and Shuzan, and between Yamaguchi, Hagi and Akiyoshidai.
7. Free use of rental bicycles at designated Ekirin Kun outlets within the covered area.
8. The pass is valid on seven consecutive calendar days (midnight to midnight).
9. Only foreign visitors to Japan (with temporary visitor status) can use the pass. It cannot be used by residents of Japan.
10. The pass can be used only by a single person. It cannot be transferred between multiple persons. The pass holder has to carry his/her passport at all times.

Points of sale

The JR Sanyo Sanin Northern Kyushu Pass can be purchased online through various websites, including the official JR West website, and at selected travel agents outside of Japan. The actual pass has to be picked up at a major station in the area covered before use. An advantage of purchasing the pass through the official website is that you can make seat reservations online, while others can make seat reservations only at ticket machines and ticket offices.

Purchase the Sanyo Sanin Northern Kyushu Pass

Seat reservations

Seat reservations can be made at no additional cost at ticket offices. The first six reservations can alternatively be made at ticket machines, but subsequent reservations can be made only at ticket offices. Furthermore, those who purchased their pass through the official JR West website can also use the JR West website to make seat reservations, but the website is not very easy to use.

Assessment

The JR Sanyo Sanin Northern Kyushu Pass can be a good value for those exploring both the Chugoku Region (which is made up of the Sanyo and Sanin regions) and northern Kyushu, especially if using the Sanyo Shinkansen and Kyushu Shinkansen. For example, it will already pay off for a round trip by shinkansen between Osaka and Fukuoka.