Fukuoka to Nagasaki by Train and Shinkansen

Fukuoka and Nagasaki are two of the biggest metropolitan areas in the north of the southern Japanese island of Kyushu and among the most popular destinations in the area. The distance between the two cities is roughly 150 kilometers.

There are various transportation options available to make the journey, including by Shinkansen, Limited Express Kamome train, and highway buses.

In this post, you’ll find the key details on all transport options for trips from Fukuoka and Nagasaki, including a comparison table to help you find the best route for your itinerary and budget.

Fukuoka to Nagasaki by Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen

The new Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen makes getting from Fukuoka to Nagasaki fast and easy. You’ll take the Limited Express Relay Kamome from Hakata Station to Takeo-Onsen, then transfer across the same platform to the Kamome Shinkansen to Nagasaki.

The full trip takes about 1 hour and 30 minutes, and it’s fully covered by the JR Pass, as well as the Sanyo-San’in Northern Kyushu Pass, North Kyushu and All Kyushu Area Passes.

Trains run regularly throughout the day, with both reserved and unreserved seats available. Green Car (first class) seats are also available if you want a little extra comfort.

The Connection via the Limited Express Relay Kamome

The first leg of your journey by train to Nagasaki is on the Limited Express Relay Kamone. The service runs frequently, with 1 or 2 trains departing from Hakata station every hour.

Despite not being Shinkansen, the journey is still efficient and makes it easy to connect with bullet train services in Takeo-Onsen. The approximate travel time for this leg is just 1 hour and 10 minutes.

The Limited Express Relay Kamone has both ordinary and green cars, as well as non-reserved and reserved seating. The trains which run on this line are the Kamome 885 Series. Kamome means seagull in Japanese and the trains are known for their sleek and innovative design and spacious seating.

A one-way ticket for an unreserved seat on the Relay service from Fukuoka to Takeo-Onsen costs approximately ¥5,000.

However, there’s no need to buy separate tickets to get to Nagasaki if you have a national JR Pass. Both this leg and the bullet train part of your journey to are fully covered by the JR Pass, as well as the North Kyushu Area and All Kyushu Area Regional Passes.

Transferring between the Limited Express and the bullet train at Takeo-Onsen is quick and straightforward. Simply step off the train and wait on the same platform – your next train will arrive on the opposite side.

Fukuoka to Nagasaki by bus

Highway buses are an ideal option if you have a tight budget, or an overnight service fits best into your itinerary. Bus tickets are usually the most cost-effective option to get to Nagasaki from Fukuoka, although journey times tend to be much longer.

Nishitetsu highway buses operate frequently between Nagasaki Station and the Tenjin Bus Center in Fukuoka, with a service departing around every 30 minutes. Connections between Hakata Station and Fukuoka Airport also depart approximately every 20 minutes.

The journey on a Nishitetsu bus between Nagasaki and Fukuoka takes roughly two and a half hours in total.

Although the JR Pass and Kyushu passes cover travel across Japan on some JR bus local networks, they do not cover travel on the highway bus between Fukuoka and Nagasaki. The price for a one-way ticket on this bus service is approximately ¥2900.

Fukuoka to Nagasaki: Comparing route times and prices

In the table below, you’ll find information on service timetables, journey times, and prices for the most popular transport options from Fukuoka to Nagasaki. Check the information to find the route that best suits your budget and itinerary.

If you’re traveling through different areas of Japan, a national JR Pass could help you save on ticket fees. Our blog has hundreds of posts with popular itineraries and practical details to help you plan your trip. Check out our guides to get the most out of your time in Japan.