Fukuoka, is an ancient trading city on the northern coast of the island of Kyushu known both for its warm welcoming atmosphere and its warm climate.
Fukuoka skyline
Kyushu’s largest city, its historical and modern attractions include the Momochi Seaside Park, Fukuoka Tower, the colorful shopping and entertainment complex of Canal City, Fukuoka Art Museum, the 17th Century ruins of Fukuoka Castle, and Shofukuji Temple which is the oldest Zen temple in Japan.
There are three ways to travel from Osaka to Fukuoka: by the shinkansen bullet train, by air, and by bus. Let’s look at each of these three ways in turn.
A shinkansen bullet train at Shin-Osaka Station
Osaka to Fukuoka By Shinkansen
The easiest way to travel between Osaka and Fukuoka is by taking the shinkansen from Shin-Osaka Station direct to Hakata Station in Fukuoka. Trains run regularly on the Sanyo Shinkansen Line, and the fare is 14,480 yen (including the Limited Express surcharge). The journey time varies on the model of the train between 2 hours and 20 minutes and 2 hours and 40 minutes. Remember that the Japan Rail Pass does not cover the Nozomi or Mizuho which are the faster shinkansen trains, so if you have a Japan Rail Pass, you should take a slower train such as the Sakura or Hikari. However, the difference in time is only 20 minutes.
Hakata Station and JR Hakata City complex
By Air
There are regular direct flights between Kansai International Airport and Fukuoka Airport that take 70 minutes. Direct flights between Osaka Itami Airport and Fukuoka Airport take between 70 minutes and 75 minutes depending on the airline. From both Kansai Airport and Osaka Itami Airport ANA operate flights that cost between 22,000 yen and 27,000 yen with some special discount deals at 11,000 yen. Low cost airlines Peach and Jetstar also run flights from Kansai International Airport that can cost between 3,490 yen and 8,490 yen. From Osaka Itami Airport Ibex also operate flights that cost between 9,100 yen and 23,600 yen.
Osaka to Fukuoka By Bus
Willer Bus run overnight bus services from Osaka to Fukuoka. Buses depart from the Willer Bus Terminal outside Umeda Sky Building’s East Tower at 21.40 and arrive at Hakata Station in Fukuoka at 8.40 the following morning. The fare varies according to your seating. “Relaxwide” seats are 7,500 yen for adults, and 3,750 yen for children. “Relax” seats are 4,800 yen for adults and 3,000 yen for children. Use the Willer Express English language website to check availability and make bookings.
Article and original photos by Michael Lambe. All rights reserved.
