Getting to Fukuoka

By shinkansen
  • 2.5 - 3 h
  • ¥10,900 - 15,500
Covered by: Japan Rail Pass

Osaka (Shin-Osaka Station) and Fukuoka (Hakata Station) are connected with each other by the JR Sanyo Shinkansen. By Nozomi or Mizuho train, the one way journey takes about 2 hours and 20 minutes, while Sakura trains require about 20 minutes longer.

The regular one way fare from Osaka to Fukuoka is 14,750 yen by non-reserved seat on any train, around 15,000 yen by reserved seat on a Sakura train and around 15,500 yen by reserved seat on a Nozomi or Mizuho train, but note that international tourists can buy discounted one-way tickets for only 10,900 yen. The Japan Rail Pass is valid on Sakura trains, but a supplement fee has to be paid on Nozomi and Mizuho trains. Meanwhile, the JR Sanyo Sanin Pass is valid on all trains.

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By air
  • 3 h
  • ¥6,000 - 29,000

JAL, ANA and Peach operate numerous flights per day between Osaka (Kansai Airport and Itami Airport) and Fukuoka. Flight time is about 75 minutes. The regular one way fare is around 28,000 yen by JAL and ANA; however, their discount tickets and the fares by Peach are typically available for around 5,000 to 13,000 yen. Fukuoka Airport is Japan's most easily accessible airport, as it can be reached in only five minutes by subway from Hakata Station.

Airfares from Osaka to Fukuoka over the next 30 days November 28, 2024 - December 27, 2024
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By bus
  • 10 h
  • ¥4,000 - 10,000

Multiple companies, including Willer Express, operate daytime and overnight buses between Osaka and Fukuoka. One way fares vary greatly based on travel date and bus type between around 4,000 and 10,000 yen. Online reservations can be made at Willer.

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By ferry
  • 15 h
  • ¥from 8,500

Meimon Taiyo Ferry operates daily overnight ferries between Osaka (Osaka Nanko Port) and Kitakyushu (Shin-Moji Port). The one way journey takes 12 hours and costs around 7,000 yen in the cheapest class. From Shin-Moji Port, there is a free shuttle bus to Kokura Station from where Fukuoka can be reached in about 70 minutes and for 1,310 yen by local trains or 15 minutes and 2,160 yen by shinkansen (unreserved seat; the cost for a reserved seat is over 1,000 yen more expensive). Please visit our ferry page for more details.

Above fees and schedules are subject to change. Be sure to check current yen exchange rates.

Getting around

Fukuoka is served by Japan Railways (JR), Nishitetsu Railways, three subway lines and a bus network. The city's main station is Hakata Station with direct connections to Honshu and across Kyushu, including Nagasaki, Kumamoto and Kagoshima.

The local railway company Nishitetsu is useful for visiting Dazaifu. Nishitetsu trains depart from Tenjin Station (also known as Nishitetsu Fukuoka Station) in the central entertainment and shopping district of Tenjin. Most city buses in Fukuoka are also operated by Nishitetsu.

The subway connects Hakata Station, Tenjin Station and Fukuoka Airport with each other and provides access to many of the city's tourist attractions. Fukuoka Airport is one of Japan's most centrally located airports, only a five minute subway ride from Hakata Station.

Passes and Tickets

  • Prepaid cards
    Prepaid cards provide no savings over regular tickets, but can be more convenient to use. There are three prepaid cards in Fukuoka: Sugoca (by JR Kyushu), Nimoca (by Nishitetsu Railways) and Hayakaken (by Fukuoka Subways), but all of them can be used on all trains, subways and buses in the greater Fukuoka region. Seven other IC cards from other major cities of Japan, including Suica, can also be used. The cards can be purchased through ticket machines at all railway and subway stations.
  • 1-Day Subway Pass (640 yen)
    Unlimited use of Fukuoka's subway lines on one calendar day. The ticket costs 640 yen and is sold through vending machines at all subway stations.
  • Fukuoka Tourist City Pass (2500 or 2800 yen)
    This pass for exclusive use by foreign tourists is valid on one calendar day on virtually all trains and buses in Fukuoka, including the subway, JR and Nishitetsu. In addition, it provides discounted admission to some tourist sights. Since its massive price increase, the pass is very difficult to pay off, and most people will travel more cheaply by paying regular fares with an IC card. A 2500 yen version of the pass is valid only within Fukuoka City, while a 2800 yen version also includes the Nishitetsu train to nearby Dazaifu. Sales locations include the tourist information desks at Hakata Station and Fukuoka Airport, and the ticket offices of the Hakata and Tenjin subway stations and bus terminals.
  • Fukuoka Wide Pass (3500 yen)
    The Fukuoka Wide Pass is a digital ticket valid on two consecutive days on JR trains around Fukuoka Prefecture and as far as Shimonoseki and Karatsu across the prefectural borders. It does not cover shinkansen trains or the subways in Fukuoka. The pass is not convenient for getting around the city, but it can pay off for travelers making side trips out of the city.

Hotels around Fukuoka

Top rated in Fukuoka
Budget:
    • Hotel Il Palazzo
      Luxury
      Just an 8-minute walk from Nakasu Kawabata Station, first project in Japan by internationally recognized Italian architect and designer, Aldo Rossi, ホテル イル パラッツォ features contemporary design and 2 dining options. The hotel offers rooms with free WiFi and a glass-encaged bathroom. The 24-hour reception at Il Palazzo makes guests enjoy a leisurely stay. Il Palazzo is a 5-minute stroll to downtown area Tenjin and a 10-minute walk to entertainment complex Canal City Hakata. Fukuoka Airport is a 20-minute drive away.
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    • Hotel Great Morning
      Luxury
      Conveniently located in the Hakata Ward district of Fukuoka, Hotel Great Morning is set 200 metres from Tsunashiki Temman-gu Shrine, 400 metres from Hakata Traditional Craft and Design Museum and 400 metres from Kawabata Shopping Arcade. With free WiFi, this 4-star hotel offers a concierge service and luggage storage space. The property is 400 metres from Reisen Park, and within 3.5 km of the city centre. At the hotel, all rooms have a desk, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, bed linen and towels. The rooms come with a kettle, while some rooms also offer a kitchen with a dishwasher, a microwave and a stovetop. All guest rooms will provide guests with a fridge. Popular points of interest near Hotel Great Morning include Ryugu-ji Temple, Hakatamachiya Furusatokan Museum and Zendo-ji Temple. Fukuoka Airport is 4 km from the property.
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    • Miyako Hotel Hakata
      Luxury
      Open from September 2019, only 150 metres from JR Hakata Train Station, Miyako Hotel Hakata offers stylish rooms with a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom. Free WiFi is available throughout the property. The famous Nanzoin Temple is a 30-minute train ride away. The air-conditioned rooms at Miyako Hotel Hakata come with pyjamas and slippers. Guests can relax in the bathtub or watch a pay TV programme. Miyako Hotel Hakata is a 3-minute walk from the popular electronic megastore Yodobashi Hakata, and it is a 15-minute walk from Tocho-ji Temple. The Tenjin area is a 5-minute subway ride from nearby Hakata Station, and Fukuoka Airport is just a 5-minute subway ride away. Fukuoka Castle is 5.5 km away, and the lively Nakasu area is 2.5 km from the property. A bar and cafe lounge are also on site.
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    • European House Reisen
      Budget-friendly
      European House Reisen features accommodation within 3.4 km of the centre of Fukuoka, with free WiFi, and a kitchen with a microwave, a fridge and a stovetop. This 2-star aparthotel offers a lift and luggage storage space. The aparthotel has family rooms. Fitted with a terrace, the units offer air conditioning and feature a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with walk-in shower and slippers. Kitchenware and kettle are also offered. At the aparthotel, units have bed linen and towels. Popular points of interest near the aparthotel include Reisen Park, Hakata Traditional Craft and Design Museum and Ryugu-ji Temple. Fukuoka Airport is 4 km from the property.
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    • The Ritz-Carlton Fukuoka
      Luxury
      Featuring a fitness centre, a restaurant as well as a bar, The Ritz-Carlton Fukuoka is set in the centre of Fukuoka, 500 metres from Tenjin Station. This 5-star hotel offers room service, a 24-hour front desk and free WiFi. The accommodation features a concierge service, luggage storage space and currency exchange for guests. The hotel offers certain units with city views, and all rooms come with a coffee machine. A buffet breakfast is available every morning at The Ritz-Carlton Fukuoka. Guests at the accommodation will be able to enjoy activities in and around Fukuoka, like cycling. Popular points of interest near The Ritz-Carlton Fukuoka include The Shops, Iwataya and Solaria Stage. Fukuoka Airport is 5 km away.
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    • Hotel Marinoa Resort Fukuoka
      Luxury
      Looking over Hakata Bay and a yacht harbor, Hotel Marinoa Resort Fukuoka features spacious guest rooms with an ocean view, a relaxation spa and a stylish French restaurant. This hotel is located right next to Marinoa City Fukuoka outlet shopping mall. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the property. Each room is fitted with a comfortable sofa and a balcony, and in-room facilities include a flat-screen TV, a fridge and an electric kettle. Some rooms feature a DVD player or a coffee machine. Guests can enjoy an ocean view from the balcony or while soaking in a bath. Two complimentary bottles of mineral water are provided daily. Fukuoka Marinoa Resort Hotel offers a 24-hour front desk, car rentals and laundry services. Drinks and snacks vending machines are available on site. Free parking is available. The hotel is a 40-minute bus ride from JR Hakata Shinkansen (bullet train) Station. Fukuoka Tower and Momochi Bayside Park can both be reached within a 15-minute bus ride. On-site Bleu Ciel restaurant serves original French dishes prepared with local seafood and other seasonal ingredients.
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    • Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Fukuoka
      Luxury
      Only a 3-minute walk from Tenjin Subway Station and offering direct access to it, Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Fukuoka provides Western-style accommodations and free WiFi access. The air-conditioned rooms feature carpeted floors, a flat-screen satellite TV and a air purifier. A fridge and an electric kettle with green tea bags are included in each. Room wears are provided for all guests, while the en suite bathroom comes with a hairdryer. Services such as dry cleaning and currency exchange are provided at the 24-hour front desk. Hotel Nishitetsu Solaria is a 10-minute drive from Ohori Park and JR Hakata Train Station. Canal City Hakata is a 5-minute drive away and Fukuoka Airport is a 15-minute drive away.
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    • THE BLOSSOM HAKATA Premier
      Luxury
      Ideally set in the centre of Fukuoka, THE BLOSSOM HAKATA Premier features air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi and private parking. Well located in the Hakata Ward district, this hotel offers a restaurant, as well as a sauna. Sugawara Shrine is less than 1 km away and Meiji Park is a 9-minute walk from the hotel. All rooms at the hotel are fitted with a flat-screen TV with satellite channels and a safety deposit box. At THE BLOSSOM HAKATA Premier the rooms are fitted with bed linen and towels. The daily breakfast offers buffet, American or Asian options. Non-stop advice is available at the reception, where staff speak English and Japanese. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Fujita Park, Kushida Shrine and Hakata Gion Yamakasa. Fukuoka Airport is 4 km from the property.
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    • A.T. Hotel Hakata
      Mid-range
      Conveniently situated in Fukuoka, A.T. Hotel Hakata provides air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi and private parking. The property is around 1.8 km from Ninjin Park, 1.9 km from Hie Park and 1.9 km from Konko Church - Minami Ward. Certain rooms at the property include a balcony with a city view. At the hotel, each room is equipped with a wardrobe and a flat-screen TV. Certain rooms include a kitchen with a fridge, a microwave and a stovetop. A.T. Hotel Hakata offers 3-star accommodation with a hot tub and terrace. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Higashisumiyoshi Park, Otowa Park and Mizuho Park. Fukuoka Airport is 2 km away.
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    • GRAND BASE Hakata Sumiyoshi
      Mid-range
      GRAND BASE Hakata Sumiyoshi is situated in the Hakata Ward district of Fukuoka, less than 1 km from Ninjin Park, a 10-minute walk from Sugawara Shrine and less than 1 km from Higashisumiyoshi Park. This 3-star aparthotel offers a lift, full-day security and free WiFi. The property is 2.5 km from the city centre and 600 metres from Fujifilm Photo Salon Fukuoka. Accommodation is fitted with air conditioning, a fully equipped kitchenette, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with bath, slippers and a hair dryer. There is also a microwave, fridge and a kettle. All units in the aparthotel are fitted with free toiletries and a smartphone. Popular points of interest near the aparthotel include Sumiyoshi Shrine, Otowa Park and Meiji Park. Fukuoka Airport is 3 km from the property.
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