Limited express trains run between Fukuoka's Hakata Station and Kitakyushu's Kokura Station in approximately 45 minutes. Trains depart every 30 minutes. The one way journey costs 2110 yen for a non-reserved seat or a few hundred yen more for a reserved seat. A set of two tickets to be used on unreserved seats in either direction is available for only 3400 yen and is known as "Nimaikippu".
About three rapid trains per hour run between Fukuoka's Hakata Station and Kitakyushu's Kokura Station (70 minutes, 1510 yen one way). In addition, there are some local trains that take around 100 minutes and cost the same as the rapid trains.
By highway bus
90 min
¥1350
Nishitetsu operates frequent highway buses between Fukuoka (Tenjin Bus Center) and Kitakyushu (Kokura Station). The one way ride takes 90 minutes and costs 1350 yen.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. Be sure to check current yen exchange rates.
Getting around
Kokura Station is the transport hub of Kitakyushu and a major station along the Sanyo Shinkansen. It is also served by the JR Sanyo Line in the direction of Honshu, the JR Kagoshima Line, which runs south towards Fukuoka and north to Moji Port, and the JR Nippo Line, which runs in the direction of Oita. The Kitakyushu Monorail also departs from Kokura Station.
Most of Kitakyushu's main tourist attractions are located within walking distance from a JR railway station with frequent connections to Kokura Station.
Kitakyushu Airport is located on a man-made island outside the city center and connected with Kokura Station by direct buses (40 minutes, 710 yen one way, about 1 bus/hour). Alternatively, the nearest train station to Kitakyushu Airport, JR Kusami Station, can be reached in a 20 minute bus ride (520 yen one way, about 2 buses/hour). From Kusami, it takes about 25 minutes and costs 280 yen one way to travel to Kokura Station by local train.
Most long-distance ferries to/from Kitakyushu use Shin-Moji Port ("New Moji Port", not to be confused with Moji Port) far outside the city center, including the ferries to/from Osaka and Tokyo. Shin-Moji Port can be reached by shuttle buses operated by the ferry companies from Kokura Station (about 40 minutes) and Moji Station (about 20 minutes). However, the ferries to/from Matsuyama use the more central Kokura Port, which can be reached in a 15 minute walk from Kokura Station.
