🚄 JRJapan Rail Pass
Nationwide ・ Three types: 7, 14 or 21 days. The period of use cannot be extended or changed
From ¥50,000
Fukuoka (Hakata) → Kagoshima (Kagoshima-Chuo)
Fukuoka (Hakata) to Kagoshima (Kagoshima-Chuo)
🚄 Shinkansen🚌 Highway busDistance: Kyushu Shinkansen Hakata–Kagoshima-Chuo: 288.9 km (operating distance)
From Hakata to Kagoshima-Chuo, the Kyushu Shinkansen Mizuho or Sakura takes about 1 hr 20–35 min with no transfer. The Sakurajima highway bus takes about 4 hr 15 min, but you can ride it with a SUNQ Pass.
Compare
Compare your options
Kyushu Shinkansen Mizuho / Sakura
- Travel time
- About 1 hr 20–35 min (e.g. Mizuho No. 601 departs Hakata 8:30 → arrives 9:53; Sakura No. 741 departs 9:06 → arrives 10:39)
- Fare
- Ordinary-car reserved seat ¥11,950, non-reserved seat ¥11,420 (as of October 2026, regular season)
- Transfers
- None
Highway bus Sakurajima
- Travel time
- About 4 hr 15 min (Tenjin–Kagoshima-Chuo Station)
- Transfers
- None
| Compare your options | Travel time | Fare | JR Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kyushu Shinkansen Mizuho / Sakura | About 1 hr 20–35 min (e.g. Mizuho No. 601 departs Hakata 8:30 → arrives 9:53; Sakura No. 741 departs 9:06 → arrives 10:39) | Ordinary-car reserved seat ¥11,950, non-reserved seat ¥11,420 (as of October 2026, regular season) | The Sakura and Tsubame are covered by the JR Pass. The Mizuho requires a separate Nozomi/Mizuho special ticket (Hakata–Kagoshima-Chuo ¥4,500 for adults) |
| Highway bus Sakurajima | About 4 hr 15 min (Tenjin–Kagoshima-Chuo Station) | — | — |
Fares and times are as of the date shown. Airfares vary by season and booking date. Check the operator’s official website before you travel.
Recommended
Best option for…
Fastest option
→ Kyushu Shinkansen Mizuho / Sakura
Using a JR Pass
→ Kyushu Shinkansen Mizuho / Sakura
Traveling with a SUNQ Pass
→ Highway bus Sakurajima
How to Ride
How to ride each option
Shinkansen
Kyushu Shinkansen Mizuho / Sakura
- Depart from
- Hakata Station
- Arrive at
- Kagoshima-Chuo Station
- Travel time
- About 1 hr 20–35 min (e.g. Mizuho No. 601 departs Hakata 8:30 → arrives 9:53; Sakura No. 741 departs 9:06 → arrives 10:39)
- Fare
- Ordinary-car reserved seat ¥11,950, non-reserved seat ¥11,420 (as of October 2026, regular season)
- Transfers
- None
- Tickets
- Station ticket office (Midori-no-madoguchi) or ticket machines, or JR Kyushu Online Train Reservation (with a page for international visitors)
- JR Pass
- The Sakura and Tsubame are covered by the JR Pass. The Mizuho requires a separate Nozomi/Mizuho special ticket (Hakata–Kagoshima-Chuo ¥4,500 for adults)
- Note
- The JR Kyushu Rail Pass covers the Mizuho, Sakura and Tsubame
Highway bus
Highway bus Sakurajima
- Depart from
- Nishitetsu Tenjin Expressway Bus Terminal and other stops
- Arrive at
- Kagoshima-Chuo Station (bus stop in front of the station)
- Travel time
- About 4 hr 15 min (Tenjin–Kagoshima-Chuo Station)
- Frequency
- 13 round trips a day (every 60–130 min)
- Transfers
- None
- Tickets
- Reserved seating, reservation required. Book online (online or convenience store payment) or by phone; tickets are also sold at ticket counters and convenience stores
- Note
- SUNQ Pass accepted (except overnight services). May be delayed depending on road conditions
Tips
Good to know
- ✓With a JR Pass, the Mizuho requires a special ticket. Choose the Sakura or Tsubame to ride at no extra charge
- ✓The JR Kyushu Rail Pass (All Kyushu or Southern Kyushu) gives unlimited rides on the Kyushu Shinkansen
Travel Passes
Travel passes you can use on this route
🚄 JR
🚄 JRJR KYUSHU RAIL PASS (All Kyushu / Northern Kyushu / Southern Kyushu)
Kyushu ・ 3, 5 or 7 consecutive days (Southern Kyushu is 3 days only; Northern Kyushu is 3 or 5 days)
From ¥22,000
🚌 BusSUNQ PASS
Kyushu ・ Paper passes are valid for 3 or 4 consecutive days. Digital passes: the 3-day pass covers any 3 days within 5 days from the start date, and the 4-day pass any 4 days within 7 days (each day runs from 3:00 to 26:59)
Map
Map
Where to Stay · Agoda
Places to Stay near Kagoshima (Kagoshima-Chuo)PR
PR8.7天然温泉 霧桜の湯 ドーミーイン鹿児島
★★★★Check rates on Agoda7,254 reviews1.1 km from center
PR9.1城山ホテル鹿児島
★★★★★Check rates on Agoda4,649 reviews1.4 km from center
PR9.0JR 九州ホテル 鹿児島
★★★Check rates on Agoda3,999 reviews0.0 km from center
PR8.7リッチモンドホテル鹿児島金生町
★★★Check rates on Agoda4,790 reviews1.9 km from center
PR9.0ソラリア西鉄ホテル鹿児島
★★★★Check rates on Agoda3,499 reviews0.3 km from center
PR8.4かごしまプラザホテル天文館
★★★★Check rates on Agoda4,291 reviews1.3 km from center
Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.
Other Routes
Other routes
Osaka → Fukuoka (Hakata)
Fastest: About 2 hr 30 min (e.g. Mizuho No. 601 departs Shin-Osaka 6:00 → arrives Hakata 8:28)
🚄 Shinkansen
Fukuoka (Hakata) → Nagasaki
Fastest: Fastest about 1 hr 20 min (including transfer time at Takeo-Onsen Station)
🚄 Shinkansen🚌 Highway bus
Fukuoka (Hakata) → Kumamoto
Fastest: Fastest 32 min (about 40 min on the Sakura)
🚄 Shinkansen🚌 Highway bus
Travel times, fares and boarding points are based on official information from rail, airline, bus and ferry operators. Fares and timetables can change, so check the official websites before you go.
Last checked: 2026-10-08