Getting to and from Fukuoka (2026)

How do you get to Fukuoka?

Getting There5.4/10Harder to reach than about 50% of cities

Main airport: Fukuoka Airport

Updated July 2026 · Sources cited: japan-guide.com, gofukuoka.jp

Good to know

Good to Know

The well-developed transportation system includes railways, air travel, express buses, and ferries, making Fukuoka a key transportation hub. Access to the city is easy from anywhere in Japan.
International direct flights are available from various locations in Asia, such as South Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Singapore.
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 1-Day Subway Pass costs 640 yen and is sold through vending machines at all subway stations, offering unlimited use of Fukuoka's subway lines on one calendar day.
International ferry passengers to Busan, South Korea can easily access Hakata Port via BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) buses departing every 15 minutes from both Hakata Station and Tenjin.

Day Trip Access

Overview: Fukuoka sits at the heart of Kyushu, making it an ideal starting point for regional exploration. Trains, buses, and ferries connect the city to destinations ranging from island flower fields to seaside castle towns. Most of the lesser-known spots listed here are reachable in under two hours, keeping your day manageable.

Popular Day Trips

Dazaifu
Highlights
Dazaifu is a small yet culturally rich town known for Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, the deity of learning. The shrine attracts students praying for academic success and visitors admiring its beautiful grounds. You can also explore the Kyushu National Museum, showcasing Japanese and Asian history, and try the local specialty, Umegae Mochi, a grilled rice cake filled with sweet red bean paste.
Beppu
Highlights
Beppu is known as Japan's unofficial onsen capital, the city is famous for its dramatic geothermal "hells" (jigoku)—colourful, steaming hot springs meant for viewing rather than bathing. Each has its own character, from cobalt-blue pools to bubbling mud pits, making them one of Kyushu's signature attractions. Beppu is also one of Japan's most active hot spring regions, with steam drifting from vents across the city.
Mojiko Retro
Highlights
Mojiko Retro is a compact harbour district in Kitakyushu that feels frozen in the early twentieth century. Meiji and Taisho-era warehouses, customs buildings, and brick streets line the waterfront for a surprisingly photogenic walk.
Yanagawa
Highlights
Spanning 930 kilometers, the canals of Yanagawa weave across the city offering a unique vantage point of this historic destination. While each cruise is a bit different, most are led by locals dressed in traditional attire, who ferry participants along on Donko-bune or flatboats.

Domestic Rail

Hakata Station: The city's main station is Hakata Station with direct connections to Honshu and across Kyushu, including Nagasaki, Kumamoto and Kagoshima. Hakata Station is the largest railway station in Kyushu and has excellent train connections from all over the country. Using the bullet train, you can reach Fukuoka from Osaka in 2 hours and 28 minutes, or from Tokyo in 4 hours and 52 minutes.

Destinations

Kumamoto: Kumamoto is just 33 minutes by Kyushu Shinkansen, making it an easy half-day trip.
Nagasaki: The Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen (Kamome) now connects Hakata to Nagasaki via Takeo-Onsen in roughly 1 hour 20 minutes.
Beppu Yufuin: The Sonic and Yufuin no Mori limited expresses reach these hot-spring towns in about 2 hours.

Shinkansen Bullet Train

Description: Hakata Station serves as a gateway to Kyushu as it's the terminus of both the Sanyo Shinkansen bullet train line to Osaka, and by extension the Tokaido Shinkansen to Tokyo. It also has trains running on the Kyushu Shinkansen to Kagoshima.

Long Distance Routes

To Osaka: From Osaka, flights take 1 hour and 15 minutes, and the bullet train takes 2 hours and 28 minutes.
To Tokyo: The Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen departs from Tokyo Station and arrives at Hakata Station in five hours.
To Kagoshima: The Kyushu Shinkansen connects the cities of Fukuoka and Kagoshima. In this way, it also provides a rapid connection between the northern and southern portions of the island.

Ferry Connections

Domestic Ferries

Overview: Hakata Port serves as Fukuoka's important transportation hub, offering numerous domestic and international ferry routes. Domestically, it primarily connects to islands off the coast of Kyushu, such as the nature-rich Iki Island, the historically significant Tsushima Island, and the Goto Islands with their unique culture and landscapes, providing convenient access for travelers seeking to explore Japan's offshore islands.

Nearby Islands

Nokonoshima Island
Fare
¥220
Round-trip approximately 440 yen
Route
From Meinohama Port
Travel Time
10 minutes
Description
A 10-minute ferry from Meinohama Port leads to Nokonoshima Island Park, famous for seasonal flower fields and panoramic bay views.
Shikanoshima
Route
From Bayside Place Hakata & Marizon
Travel Time
15 minutes
Description
Shikanoshima ferries depart from Bayside Place Hakata and Marizon (Seaside Momochi), with crossings taking about 15 minutes. Shikanoshima is known for its beaches, seafood, and the historic Kin-in Park.
Uminonakamichi
Fare
¥680
Route
From Hakata Port
Travel Time
25 minutes
Description
The ferry from Hakata Port (Bekkaku Kōro terminal) to Uminonakamichi cuts across the bay in 25 minutes flat, 680 yen (~$4.50) buys you wind in your hair and a postcard view.
Iki Island
Frequency
There are multiple sailings daily, but the specific timetable may vary by season or date.
Operators
Kyu-Shin Ferry
Description
High-speed ferries have shorter travel times, approximately 1 hour and 5 minutes to 1 hour and 25 minutes. Conventional ferries are slower, taking about 2 hours and 10 minutes to 2 hours and 20 minutes.

International Ferries

Busan South Korea: The JR Beetle hydrofoil and Camellia Line offer overnight and high-speed ferry connections from Hakata Port to Busan, opening the door to an international side trip.

Airport

Name: Fukuoka Airport
Accessibility: Fukuoka Airport is Japan's most easily accessible airport, only a five minute subway ride from the city's main railway station, Hakata Station. The airport is located in Hakata Ward and is only 2.6 km east of Hakata Station.

Terminals

Domestic: The Fukuoka City Subway Station is actually inside the Domestic Terminal Building. Get on the Kuko Line train and be in the city's main areas of Hakata and Tenjin in five and 11 minutes respectively.
International: Fukuoka Airport is comprised of two separate passenger terminal buildings: one for domestic flights and one for international flights. It's important to know which one you need, as they are located on opposite sides of the runway. Please use a free shuttle bus to move between the Domestic and International Terminal Buildings.

Ground Transport

Bus: Bus stops are located at both the International and Domestic Terminal. Along with bus services to the local area, you can ride a highway bus to the temple complex of Dazaifu, neighboring prefecture and hot spring haven of Oita and further afield to the prefectures of Saga, Nagasaki, and Kumamoto.

Taxi

From Hakata: ¥1,600
From Tenjin: ¥2,200
Description: From Hakata Station, taxis take about 20 minutes and 1,600 yen in light traffic. From Tenjin, taxis take about 30 minutes and 2,200 yen in light traffic.

Subway

Fare To Hakata: ¥260
Fare To Tenjin: ¥260
Description: One of the quickest and cheapest ways to get to Fukuoka Airport is by subway. The Kuko (airport) line runs east-west and is only two stops (5 minutes; 260 yen) from Hakata Station and five stops (11 minutes; 260 yen) from Tenjin Station.

Bus Connections

Long Distance Buses: Express bus service to Fukuoka operates from many major destinations in Kyushu and beyond. Many transportation companies, including Nishitetsu, operate from major cities in western Japan as well as other regions, including within Kyushu. Some long-distance routes, such as from Osaka and Tokyo, offer overnight sleeper buses. The travel time from Tokyo is about 14 hours, and from Osaka it is about 8 hours.

Tokyo Bus

Operator: Nishitetsu
Travel Time: 14.5 hours

Fare Range

Max USD: 155
Min USD: 55
Max Local: 25000
Min Local: 9000
Currency Local: JPY

AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

Sources cited for this category

These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.

More About Fukuoka

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.