{"id":1451,"date":"2017-05-29T07:16:43","date_gmt":"2017-05-29T05:16:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/?p=1451"},"modified":"2019-01-25T10:52:01","modified_gmt":"2019-01-25T09:52:01","slug":"limited-express-sonic-train","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/limited-express-sonic-train","title":{"rendered":"The Limited Express Sonic train in Kyushu"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The island of Kyushu is the southernmost, as well as the most westerly, of Japan\u2019s large, main islands. Kyushu is home to mountainous terrain, including the most active volcano in Japan, known as Mount Aso.<\/p>\n<p>The subtropical climate of Kyushu makes it an ideal location for vacationers. Few sights evoke as much awe as the view from a train winding through Kyushu\u2019s countryside, steam floating lazily atop nearby hot springs. The island is also a valuable resource for understanding Japanese culture, as it is famous for its art and its silk.<\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>If you are looking for a unique way to explore this island, consider the Limited Express Sonic train, accessible using your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\">Japan Rail Pass.<\/a> The JR Kyushu Railway Company\u2019s Limited Express Sonic 883 Series trains are built for both comfort and speed, and have been described as the \u201cEast Kyushu intercity urban express that is true to its \u2018Sonic\u2019 name.\u201d<\/p>\n<div id=\"toc_container\" class=\"toc_white no_bullets\"><p class=\"toc_title\">Table of Contents<\/p><ul class=\"toc_list\"><li><a href=\"#Itinerary_and_destinations_of_the_Sonic_Train\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">1<\/span> Itinerary and destinations of the Sonic Train<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Riding_the_Limited_Express_Sonic\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">2<\/span> Riding the Limited Express Sonic<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#Benefits_of_the_Green_Pass_for_the_Sonic_Train\"><span class=\"toc_number toc_depth_1\">3<\/span> Benefits of the Green Pass for the Sonic Train<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n<h2><span id=\"Itinerary_and_destinations_of_the_Sonic_Train\">Itinerary and destinations of the Sonic Train<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The Limited Express Sonic makes several stops throughout the island of Kyushu. <strong>Access to this train<\/strong><strong> begins at Hakata Station in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/fukuoka-travel-guide\">Fukuoka<\/a>.<\/strong> This station also connects with the Sanyo Shinkansen \u2013 linked to the main island of Honshu by undersea tunnels &#8211; and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/shinkansen-bullet-trains#KyushuShinkansen\">Kyushu Shinkansen<\/a> lines.<\/p>\n<p>After a two-hour train ride, <strong>the first stop is at Beppu Station in the coastal town of the same name.<\/strong> In Beppu, you can relax in numerous <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/all-about-onsens-the-japanese-hot-springs\"><em>onsen<\/em><\/a>, or hot springs. In fact, Beppu has been called the \u201chot spring capital\u201d of Japan due to an excess of 2,500 hot springs. The Takegawara Hot Springs of the Beppu Hot Springs Resort is a much sought after destination. In addition to the traditional onsen experience, this resort also offers geothermally heated sand baths.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Visitors also marvel at the hot springs known as the \u201cEight Hells,\u201d or <em>jigoku<\/em>.<\/strong> These hot springs sport beautiful and intriguing colors in their waters, ranging from the cobalt blue of the <em>Umi-jigoku <\/em>or \u201cSea Hell,\u201d and the boiling hot muds of the <em>Yama-jigoku <\/em>and <em>Oniishibozu<\/em>, to the blood-red waters and crimson steam of the <em>Chinoike-jigoku<\/em>, or \u201cBlood Pond Hell.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Unlike most onsen, the Hells are far too hot to enter, but a few offer foot baths nearby. In fact, the waters of the \u201cCooking Pot Hell\u201d are sometimes used to boil eggs or vegetables. To reach the Hells from Beppu Station, you will take Kamei Bus 5, 7, or 9 to the Kannawa bus terminal, a fifteen-minute ride. Two of the Hells require an additional bus ride, totaling forty minutes from the station.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Sonic train line ends in Oita, the capital city of its prefecture.<\/strong> Oita is home to castle ruins as well as houses of modern Japanese culture, including the <em>Bunkakaikan<\/em> or Oita Cultural Hall, the Otonoizumi Hall, and Grand Theater. These locations are used for stage plays, events, and musical concerts.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">\n            <a class=\"fasc-button banner-button-shortcode fasc-size-large fasc-type-flat fasc-rounded-medium ico-fa fasc-ico-after fa-chevron-circle-right fasc-style-bold\" href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/the-japan-rail-pass\">\n                Buy your JR Pass\n            <\/a>\n        <\/p>\n<h2><span id=\"Riding_the_Limited_Express_Sonic\">Riding the Limited Express Sonic<\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When you board the metallic blue train marked on the front with an \u201cS\u201d for \u201cSonic\u201d \u2013 styled similarly to the classic Superman emblem \u2013 you are in for a ride that includes speed, comfort, and a beautiful view.<\/p>\n<p>As you enter the train, you are greeted by <strong>sleek and modern d\u00e9cor<\/strong> \u2013 embossed aluminum flooring and vividly colored, metallic walls. You may then relax in the cozy atmosphere within the car, provided by the hardwood flooring and seats sporting leather headrests. Seats are also equipped with small folding lap tables.<\/p>\n<p><strong>For added comfort, this train employs a unique tilting mechanism<\/strong> that reduces the passenger\u2019s experience of centrifugal forces when rounding a curve, providing a smooth and seamless ride.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_96\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-96\" style=\"width: 700px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\"  decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" class=\"wp-image-96\" src=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/06\/fukuoka-tower-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"466\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-96\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Fukuoka Tower overlooking Hakata Bay<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span id=\"Benefits_of_the_Green_Pass_for_the_Sonic_Train\"><strong>Benefits of the Green Pass for the Sonic Train<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>While the Express Sonic is available to all JR Pass holders, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jrailpass.com\/green-pass\">JR Green Car Pass<\/a> holders are in for an extra special treat. <strong>The Green Car offers amenities comparable to first class seating<\/strong>, including more comfortable seats and extra leg room. Headrests are made from genuine leather, and the chairs ar equipped with electronic reclining controls.<\/p>\n<p><strong>The Green Car\u2019s Panorama Cabin also allows for a panoramic view of the surrounding countryside<\/strong>, complete with a table and rounded bench seat. The view of steam rising from hundreds of buildings throughout Beppu is a sight not to be missed. <strong>Beppu\u2019s skyline is placed second among the 100 Landscapes of Japan to be Preserved for the 21<sup>st<\/sup> Century.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Whether you ride in standard class or in the Green Car, whether you relax at Beppu\u2019s resorts or brave the Eight Hells, <strong>your Express Sonic journey through eastern Kyushu is certain to be a memorable trip<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><em>Cover picture: JKT-c @Wikimedia<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The island of Kyushu is the southernmost, as well as the most westerly, of Japan\u2019s large, main islands. Kyushu is home to mountainous terrain, including the most active volcano in Japan, known as Mount Aso. The subtropical climate of Kyushu makes it an ideal location for vacationers. Few sights evoke as much awe as the view from a train winding through Kyushu\u2019s countryside, steam floating lazily atop nearby hot springs. The island is also a valuable resource for understanding Japanese culture, as it is famous for its art and its silk.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1452,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[3],"tags":[],"acf":{"related_tours":{"tour_number":false}},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v20.10 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>The Limited Express Sonic Train in Kyushu - Japan Rail Pass<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"The Limited Express Sonic goes along the coast of Kyushu, from Fukuoka to Beppu and Oita in Japan. 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