Shinkansen Convenience: Direct Access To Fukuoka Airport?

Fukuoka Airport is conveniently located in the heart of Fukuoka City, making it easily accessible by subway, bus, or taxi. While the airport itself is not a stop on the Shinkansen line, travellers can easily access the nearby Hakata Station, which is a major railway hub in southern Japan. From Hakata Station, passengers can board the Kyushu Shinkansen line to various destinations, including Kumamoto, Kagoshima, and Osaka. Alternatively, passengers can transfer to the Sanyo Shinkansen line, which provides connections to major cities such as Hiroshima, Kobe, and Tokyo.

Fukuoka Airport is 5-20 minutes from Hakata Station by train, bus or taxi

Fukuoka Airport is conveniently located in the heart of the city it serves, and is only 3km from Hakata Station, the largest train station in Fukuoka and all of Kyushu. This makes the airport easily accessible from the station, and travellers can choose to make the journey by train, bus or taxi.

If you are travelling by train, the subway from Fukuoka Airport to Hakata Station takes just 5 minutes, but it is important to note that this only stops at the domestic terminal. To reach the international terminal, you will need to take a bus or taxi, which takes around 15 to 20 minutes. The subway is very straightforward to navigate, with the Kuko subway line to the airport and Tenjin being accessible from both sides of Hakata Station. Overhead signs point the way for passengers.

If you are travelling by bus, there is a connection bus from the Fukuoka Airport international terminal to the domestic terminal, which takes approximately 10 minutes. From the domestic terminal, you can then take the subway to Hakata Station, which takes around 5 minutes. In total, this journey takes 20 to 30 minutes.

If you are travelling by taxi, you can take one directly from the Fukuoka Airport taxi stand to Hakata Station. This journey takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

The Kyushu Shinkansen line runs from Hakata Station to Kagoshima-Chuo Station

The Kyushu Shinkansen line runs from Hakata Station in Fukuoka City, the largest train station in Kyushu, to Kagoshima-Chuo Station in Kagoshima. Fukuoka Airport is conveniently located only 2.75 km or a 5-minute subway ride from Hakata Station. Travellers can easily access the Shinkansen network from the airport by taking the subway to Hakata Station and then walking to the Chikushi Exit, where the Shinkansen ticket gate is located.

The Kyushu Shinkansen, operated by the Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu), is an extension of the San'yō Shinkansen from Honshu. The line runs parallel to the Kagoshima Main Line, offering a significant improvement in travel time. The southern half of the Kyushu Shinkansen, from Kagoshima to Shin-Yatsushiro, was opened in 2004, and the northern half, from Shin-Yatsushiro to Hakata Station, was completed in 2011. The Kyushu Shinkansen provides through service to the Sanyo Shinkansen to/from Osaka, and travellers can also transfer to a Nozomi train at Hakata Station.

There are three train services operating on the Kyushu Shinkansen line: Mizuho, Sakura, and Tsubame Shinkansen, with Mizuho being the fastest and Tsubame the slowest. The Mizuho makes five round trips per day between Shin-Osaka and Kagoshima-Chuo, with a travel time of 3 hours and 45 minutes. The Sakura provides hourly departures between Shin-Osaka and Kagoshima-Chuo, making more stops than the Mizuho, and has a travel time of 4 hours and 10 minutes. The Sakura also operates between Hakata and Kumamoto or Kagoshima-Chuo once or twice per hour. The Tsubame operates an all-stations shuttle service between Hakata and Kumamoto once or twice per hour, with some services extending to Kagoshima-Chuo.

The Kyushu Shinkansen line has several interim stations between Hakata and Kagoshima-Chuo, including Shin-Tosu, Chikugo-Funagoya, Shin-Omuta, Shin-Tamana, Kumamoto, Shin-Yatsushiro, Shin-Minamata, Izumi, and Sendai in Kagoshima. The maximum speed of the Kyushu Shinkansen is 260 km/h (160 mph), and the travel time between Hakata and Kagoshima-Chuo is approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.

The Kyushu Shinkansen connects Fukuoka and Kagoshima

Fukuoka Airport is unique in that it is situated in the heart of the city it serves. It is only 3 km from Hakata Station, the largest train station in Fukuoka and all of Kyushu. The Kyushu Shinkansen line starts at Hakata Station in the north and connects Fukuoka to Kagoshima in the south. The Kyushu Shinkansen Line runs from Hakata Station to Kagoshima-Chuo Station in the south, with 12 stations in between. The Kyushu Shinkansen provides a rapid connection between the northern and southern portions of Kyushu.

The Kyushu Shinkansen line covers a distance of 66 km. The route has been named Nishi-Kyushu Shinkansen, or West-Kyushu New-Main-Line. The Kyushu Shinkansen runs through the length of Kyushu, a mountainous island known for its volcanoes, hot spring towns, and beautiful remote beaches. Due to the terrain, the Kyushu Shinkansen route has several tunnels and steep slopes. The entire journey from Fukuoka to Kagoshima takes around 1 hour and 16 minutes at its fastest.

There are three train categories on the Kyushu Shinkansen line: Mizuho, Sakura, and Tsubame. The Mizuho is the fastest train and stops only at Hakata, Kumamoto, and Kagoshima-Chuo. The Sakura is the second-fastest train and serves a few more stations than the Mizuho. The Sakura trains usually depart once per hour, with some providing through service to the Sanyo Shinkansen to/from Osaka. The Tsubame is the slowest train and stops at all stations along the way. Most Tsubame trains operate only between Hakata and Kumamoto, and only a few go as far as Kagoshima.

To get to Hakata Station from Fukuoka Airport, travellers can take a taxi, which takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes. They can also take the subway, which takes around 5 minutes. It is important to note that only the domestic terminal can be reached by subway, while the international terminal can be accessed by bus or taxi, taking around 15 to 20 minutes.

The Kyushu Shinkansen has 12 stops from Hakata Station to Kagoshima-Chuo Station

The Kyushu Shinkansen Line runs from Hakata Station in Fukuoka to Kagoshima-Chuo Station in Kagoshima, with 12 stations in between. Fukuoka Airport is conveniently located just 2.75 km from Hakata Station, which can be reached in 5 to 20 minutes by train, bus, or taxi. The Kyushu Shinkansen Line offers three main services: Mizuho, Sakura, and Tsubame, with Mizuho being the fastest service, Sakura emphasising connections, and Tsubame serving as the local train.

Mizuho trains are considered an express service, stopping only at Hakata, Kumamoto, and Kagoshima-Chuo stations. They make about five round trips per day and are covered by the Kyushu Rail Pass. From October 2023, JR Pass holders can also ride these trains by paying a supplement. Sakura trains serve some but not all stations along the line, stopping approximately twice an hour at certain stations. They typically depart once or twice per hour and offer through services to Shin-Osaka Station via the Sanyo Shinkansen.

The Tsubame service stops at all 12 stations between Hakata and Kagoshima-Chuo, making it ideal for exploring smaller towns along the way. It departs between one and two times per hour and also operates from/to Kagoshima-Chuo. The Kyushu Shinkansen Line also includes interim stations such as Shin-Tosu Station, Chikugo-Funagoya Station, Shin-Omuta Station, Shin-Tamana Station, Shin-Yatsushiro Station, Shin-Minamata Station, Izumi Station, and Sendai Station in Kagoshima.

The Kyushu Shinkansen provides seamless connections to other lines, such as the Kagoshima Main Line, the Sanyo Shinkansen line to Hiroshima, Okayama, Kobe, Osaka, and other destinations, and the Ibusuki Makurazaki Line for those seeking the famous Ibusuki hot sand baths. The line is operated by the Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu) and provides through services from Osaka to Kagoshima, linking the two cities in just under four hours.

The Kyushu Shinkansen offers convenient access to cultural and natural sites

Fukuoka Airport is conveniently located in the heart of the city it serves, making it easily accessible by subway, bus, or taxi. The airport is also a short distance from Hakata Station, a major railway hub in southern Japan and the largest station on Kyushu Island. From Hakata Station, travellers can access the Kyushu Shinkansen line, which offers a wealth of cultural and natural experiences across Kyushu.

The Kyushu Shinkansen provides easy access to several destinations, including Kumamoto, Kagoshima, and other locations. One of the highlights of the Kyushu Shinkansen is Kumamoto Castle, one of Japan's largest and most well-preserved castles. The castle is a testament to the region's rich history and is a must-see for visitors interested in exploring Japan's past.

Another attraction easily accessible from the Kyushu Shinkansen is Suizen-ji Joju-en Garden in Kumamoto. This meticulously designed garden replicates the 53 stations of the Tokaido and offers a tranquil escape from the bustling city. The garden's intricate design and peaceful atmosphere make it a favourite among locals and visitors alike.

For those seeking natural adventures, the Kyushu Shinkansen provides access to the Sakurajima volcano and the ancient cedar forest of Yakushima Island. The Sakurajima volcano is an active volcano near Nagasaki City, offering a thrilling and unique experience for visitors. Yakushima Island, on the other hand, is known for its ancient cedar forest, providing a peaceful and scenic escape.

Additionally, the Kyushu Shinkansen offers convenient connections to smaller towns and local attractions. The Tsubame service, for example, makes stops at all stations between Hakata and Kumamoto, allowing travellers to explore the local culture and scenery at a slower pace. With its variety of services and destinations, the Kyushu Shinkansen provides a comprehensive exploration of Kyushu's cultural and natural offerings.

Frequently asked questions