After our fabulous visit to Kyoto, it was time to head south, towards the port city of Fukuoka. Although a 640 kilometer trip by road, it takes a mere 3 hours by the fastest Shinkansen train, or there are flights available from nearby Osaka airport. On this trip to Japan, we’ve been using the trains a lot, taking advantage of the JR Pass to the maximum extent. And now, as it’s time for us to leave, we’ll be taking the fast ferry to South Korea. But first, we have to get to Fukuoka. So this is our guide on how to go from Kyoto to Fukuoka.
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The name of the port, Hakata, and the city, Fukuoka are used almost interchangeably and Hakata and Kyoto are connected by both the fast Nozomi Shinkansen train and the slower Sakura train on the JR Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen routes. While the train will be the preferred route for most people traveling this route, there are other options, from a flight to a bus and even a ferry too. You’ll need to jump through a few hoops to use anything other than the direct train connection, but they’re all interesting ways to travel this route.
BEST WAY TO TRAVEL
Easiest, Quickest Way from Kyoto to Fukuoka
The easiest, quickest, and best way to travel from Kyoto to Fukuoka is to take the Nozomi Shinkansen train.
Where is Fukuoka?
The city of Fukuoka is built on the edge of Hakata Bay, it is on the northern point of the Japanese island of Kyūshū. It is the most common port location for those arriving in Japan from Korea. We’ve taken this trip in both directions – our guide on going from Busan to Japan is here and here’s the guide for the ferry from Fukuoka to Busan. It is 640 kilometers (397 miles) by road from Kyoto to Fukuoka.
Options on How to Go from Kyoto to Fukuoka
If speed and convenience are of the essence, then you can’t beat the train from Kyoto to Fukuoka. There are two different options that I’ll detail – and this route is covered on the JR Pass – and then, the cheapest option for traveling this route is to take the bus, but it’s a long haul at around 11 hours, although the overnight option will save you a nights accommodation costs.
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How to get to Kyoto from Fukuoka
You’ve got a whole lot of options for this route. Fast trains, slower trains (that are still fast), driving, buses, flights, and even a ferry. Some of the routes are a little convoluted, like if you want to take the ferry but take the attitude that all travel is an adventure and you’ll have fun. If you’re driving, then you’ll want to read my guide to rental cars in Japan.
Kyoto to Fukuoka Shinkansen
The quickest and most logical way to go from Kyoto to Fukuoka is to take the Nozomi Shinkansen train. This takes about 2 hours and 51 minutes and is a direct train, i.e. the Nozomi. While the train is covered by the JR Pass, you’ll need to pay a supplement to use the Nozomi. The first train that runs this route is at 08:09 and the last one is at 21:00.
You can buy tickets for this Shinkansen from Kyoto to Fukuoka here.
Kyoto to Fukuoka Train (Sakura)
If speed is not of the essence, then you can save a little money, and add perhaps 30 minutes to your journey time by taking the Sakura train. You’ll need to get the train from Kyoto to either Shin Osaka or Okayama and then change and take the train from Okayama to Fukuoka.
We opted for this route as it’s covered on the JR Pass with no supplement required. We’d left the Miyako Odori performance in Kyoto, and headed back to Kyoto station, actually remembering which stack of lockers we’d left our bags in, and then headed for the train.
We took the train from Kyoto to Okayama, and then changed and took the train to Fukuoka. Unfortunately, the second train was canceled, and we ended up delayed about 2 hours. And that, in Japan, I can tell you, is something of a shock! In the thousands of kilometers we’ve traveled on trains in Japan it was the first time it’s ever happened! Mind you, the staff at the information desk were great and just swapped us onto the next train down to Fukuoka.
Kyoto to Fukuoka Flight
You’ll find flights to Fukuoka from Osaka’s Kansai Airport and Itami Airport. They take about 75 minutes and are operated by Peach, ANA, and JAL. First of all, you’ll need to get to the airport from Kyoto. I’ve detailed the flights from both of the airports in Osaka to Fukuoka.
Kyoto to Kansai Airport
You can go from Kyoto to Kansai Airport in as little as 30 minutes by train. Buy tickets for this train here. There’s also an airport bus that leaves from Kyoto station, it takes 70-90 minutes depending on which terminal you’re going to. You can check the timetable, and book tickets here. Taxis for this route are more expensive (compared to the train cost), but if you have a lot of luggage and are in group, then it’s obviously much easier, door to door, and no hassles. Check the price of airport transfers here.
Kansai Airport to Fukuoka Airport (KIX to FUK)
Peach Airlines is the cheapest to go from Kansai Airport to Fukuoka. There are usually two flights a day one in the early morning and one mid afternoon. You can check the timetable and book flights here.
Fukuoka Airport to Fukuoka
Once you arrive at Fukuoka Airport, then you’re connected by the subway to Hakata Station. It’s just a five-minute ride on the city subway and costs 260 JPY for adults and 130 JPY for children.
Kyoto to Itami Airport
The easiest way to go from Kyoto to Itami Airport (which is just over 48 kilometers – 30 miles) is to take a bus. Buses to Itami Airport leave from the Hachijou Fate of Kyoto Station every 10 minutes or so and the trip takes 50 minutes. You can book the bus here.
Itami Airport to Fukuoka Airport (ITM to FUK)
There are up to 10 flights a day from Osaka’s Itami Airport to Fukuoka. It’s JAL and ANA that fly from Itami to Fukuoka, and these tend to be more expensive than budget airline Peach, which flies from Kansai instead. The first flight from Itami to Fukuoka is at 07:05 and the last one is at 20:10. You can check fares and the timetable for this flight here.
Fukuoka Airport to Fukuoka
It takes just 5 minutes to go from the airport to Hakata station on Fukuoka’s city subway and costs 260 JPY per ticket.
Kyoto to Fukuoka Bus
It’ll take you about 11 hours to take the bus from Kyoto to Fukuoka, but most of the buses that run this route are overnight buses. This is the cheapest way to get to Fukuoka from Kyoto. Buses tend to leave around 20:30, arriving in Fukuoka at 07:40. There are a variety of different companies that run this route. You can book with Willer Express, or here on 12goAsia.
Kyoto to Fukuoka via Overnight Ferry
If you want a real travel adventure then this is a somewhat convoluted way to go to Fukuoka from Kyoto. You’ll first need to go from Kyoto to Osaka’s Nanko Port, and then take a 12 hour ferry from there to Shin Moji Port (nearby city of Kitakyushu).
To go from Kyoto to Nanko Port you’ll need to take a series of trains or a bus and a train to get there. The best option depends on what time of day you’re traveling – so just use GoogleMaps to work out the quickest option.
This is a 12-hour ferry trip, and the economy class ticket will cost 5130 JPY. There are two sailings a day. There’s a restaurant onboard. You can book tickets (and berths) on this ferry here.
- 17:00 arrives Kita Kyushu at 05:30
- 19:50 arrives Kita Kyushu at 08:30
Once you arrive at Kita Kyushu, then you can take a free shuttle bus to Kokura station. From there there are options of a local train to Fukuoka, this train takes about 70 minutes. The Shinkansen that runs on the same route takes just 15 minutes.
You can book the train from Kokura to Fukuoka here. You’ll have options for the slower Sakura, or the Nozomi. It is also likely to be cheaper to buy a 2 day JR Kyushu pass, even just for this short journey. A reminder this train route is also covered on the Japan-wide JR Pass. My guide to the JR Pass is here.
Map of Bus Stops and Train Stations for going from Fukuoka to Kyoto
You can also see the train station and bus stops from Fukuoka to Kyoto here
The quickest way to get from Kyoto to Fukuoka
The quickest way to get to Fukuoka from Kyoto is to take the Nozomi Shinkansen train. You’ll be in Fukuoka in 2 hours and 51 minutes after leaving Kyoto taking this option.
The easiest way to go to Fukuoka from Kyoto
The easiest way to get from Fukuoka to Kyoto is to take that fast Nozomi Shinkansen from Kyoto to Fukuoka. There are no changes involved, like on the slower train.
The cheapest way to go from Kyoto to Fukuoka
The cheapest way to get to Kyoto from Fukuoka is to take the bus. It’ll take you about 11 hours, but most of the buses go overnight. You can check the current prices for buses to Fukuoka from Kyoto here.
JAPAN TRAVEL RESOURCES
TRAIN TICKETS
Easiest way to buy train tickets, use Klook for Shinkansen Train Tickets, check timetables & reserve seats.
Book Train Tickets
HOTELS AND APARTMENTS
See choices here
Sea view rooms? Budget rooms? Need a washing machine? The best choice of hotels & apartments.
TOURS & ATTRACTIONS
Most excursion choices, small group tours, skip-line tickets, free cancellation and top local guides.
Top options here.
CAR RENTAL GUIDE
Read my Guide
Best choice of vehicles, automatics, large or small cars, child seats. Book early for more options.
Final Words on How to Go from Kyoto to Fukuoka
This was a memorable trip for us, as it was the first journey we’d taken in Japan where the train was canceled! We took the train from Kyoto to Okayama and then changed. It was supposed to just be about 30 minutes longer than the Nozomi fast train but ended up being a lot longer, as we had to wait for a seat on a later train to the one that was canceled. However, it was an adventure.
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