Kyushu Shinkansen to Kumamoto and Kagoshima

The Kyushu Shinkansen is a bullet train line that runs through Kyushu Island, the southernmost main island in Japan, connecting Fukuoka’s Hakata Station with Kumamoto and Kagoshima-Chuo. When the Hakata to Shin-Yatsushiro section opened in 2011, it completed the Kagoshima route and made it possible for passengers to travel by Shinkansen from Kagoshima-Chuo northward to Hakata, then eastward to Shin-Osaka and, with a change of trains, to Tokyo.

An 800 Series Kyushu Shinkansen boards passengers at Hakata Station in Fukuoka

For long cross-country journeys, flying may be quicker on some routes. For rail travelers, however, the Kyushu Shinkansen is a vital part of the high-speed network linking Kyushu with Honshu. The rules for the national Japan Rail Pass also matter when choosing a train. The base national pass covers Sakura and Tsubame services, but not Mizuho services. Japan Rail Pass holders can use Mizuho only by purchasing the separate Nozomi Mizuho ticket before boarding. JR Kyushu regional rail passes have different rules and can cover Mizuho, Sakura and Tsubame within each pass’s valid area, but they do not cover the Sanyo Shinkansen section between Hakata and Kokura or beyond to Shin-Osaka.

Shinkansen high-speed train network in Japan map

The line’s Mizuho and Sakura services run from Kagoshima-Chuo to Shin-Osaka Station via the Sanyo Shinkansen line. Mizuho trains make the fewest stops and complete the Kagoshima-Chuo to Shin-Osaka journey in around 3 hours and 45 minutes, depending on the timetable. Sakura trains make more stops and are the main pass-friendly through service for national Japan Rail Pass users. Meanwhile, Tsubame services stop at every station between Hakata and Kagoshima-Chuo, but mostly travel between Hakata and Kumamoto.

Interior design elements of the Kyushu Shinkansen include wooden-backed seats and gold-leaf paneling

For Nagasaki, do not expect a direct Hakata to Nagasaki Shinkansen. The Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen Kamome opened between Takeo-Onsen and Nagasaki in 2022. From Hakata, passengers currently take the Relay Kamome limited express to Takeo-Onsen and transfer there to the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen Kamome for Nagasaki.

Tsubame services on the Kyushu Shinkansen stop at all stations

Key Destinations

Kumamoto

The capital of Kumamoto Prefecture, Kumamoto City is home to Kumamoto Castle, a reconstructed but nonetheless photogenic samurai fortress with several authentic 17th-century structures. The main castle tower has reopened after restoration work following the 2016 earthquake, although some historic structures and areas remain under restoration or closed. Other attractions in this metropolis of 740,000 include the Suizen-ji Joju-en Garden and the former residences of writers Natsume Soseki and Lafcadio Hearn.

Kumamoto Castle

If you’re a fan of Japan’s mascot characters, Kumamoto is the place to go. The city’s cute bear ambassador Kumamon is often seen around the city, along with oodles of Kumamon merchandise.

Kagoshima-Chuo

Kagoshima-Chuo is the bullet train station at the heart of Kagoshima City, the capital of Kagoshima Prefecture. With a population of about 600,000, Kagoshima is a busy port and point of departure for ferries serving southern islands such as Yakushima and Okinawa.

Kagoshima Skyline

The birthplace of the heroic “last samurai” Saigo Takamori, Kagoshima City is famous for the active volcano Sakurajima, the Senganen gardens and its kurobuta (black pork) and kuroushi (black beef) cuisine. As one of Japan’s many geothermal hotspots, Kagoshima and the surrounding region are home to numerous onsen hot springs.

Fares and travel times vary by train, seat type, season and reservation method, so check the current timetable and fare before traveling.

Article by Tim Hornyak. All rights reserved. Last updated 20-Jul-2026.