17m, Direct
06:00
FukuokaHakata Station
06:17
KitakyushuKokura(Fukuoka) Station
from
20 USD
1
Tsubame Train - Info, Classes & Tickets
1 Passenger
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Departure Time
Travel time
Arrival Time
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Morning trains
Day trains
Evening trains
First train
06:00
Last train
23:28
Travel duration
15m
Daily departures
57
Departure station
Fukuoka
Changes
direct
Arrival station
Kitakyushu
Ticket price
from $14
Fastest trip
15m
Longest trip
19m
Tsubame overview
Tsubame trains use Kyushu Shinkansen rolling stock, including 800 series and selected N700 series equipment depending on the timetable. The service runs between Hakata and Kagoshima-Chuo, stopping at stations such as Kurume, Kumamoto, Izumi, and Sendai. Interiors focus on Ordinary Car seating, with reserved and non-reserved areas depending on the departure. At Hakata, Tsubame connects with JR West Sanyo Shinkansen services toward Hiroshima, Okayama, Shin-Osaka, and other stations.
How to buy Tsubame train tickets
To search Tsubame tickets on Rail Monsters, enter departure and arrival stations such as Hakata, Kumamoto, or Kagoshima-Chuo, then choose the travel date and passenger count. Search results show available Tsubame departures, departure times, arrival times, and seating types where listed. Compare all-stations Tsubame services with other Kyushu Shinkansen options when they appear. Select the Tsubame departure that matches your route before continuing to the passenger detail step.
How to buy train tickets in Japan
Ticket office on station
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Tsubame Classes Explained
Tsubame services on the Kyushu Shinkansen mainly use Ordinary Car seating. Ordinary Car may be offered as reserved seating, where the ticket lists a specific seat, or non-reserved seating, where passengers use the designated non-reserved cars when available. Seat layout and trainset assignment can vary between 800 series and N700 series departures on JR Kyushu. Green Car should not be assumed for every Tsubame train, as availability depends on the trainset and timetable. Review the class and reservation type shown for the selected Tsubame departure, then use the search inputs at the top of the page.
from
$32
Green Car
from
$9
Non-reserved
from
$18
Ordinary Car
Most Popular Tsubame Bullet Train Routes
Key Tsubame routes in Kyushu
Tsubame serves the Kyushu Shinkansen corridor between Hakata and Kagoshima-Chuo, with frequent use on shorter and medium-distance station pairs. Popular routes include Hakata to Kumamoto, Hakata to Kurume, Kumamoto to Kagoshima-Chuo, and Shin-Tosu to Kumamoto. Tsubame also serves intermediate stations such as Shin-Omuta, Shin-Tamana, Shin-Yatsushiro, Shin-Minamata, Izumi, and Sendai, making it useful when faster Sakura or Mizuho services do not stop. At Hakata, passengers can connect with Sanyo Shinkansen services operated by JR West. Timetables and stopping patterns vary by date, so review the selected Tsubame train before booking.
Travel from Fukuoka to Kumamoto by Shinkansen and visit the historic Kumamoto Castle or explore the Suizenji Jojuen Garden landscapes.
Fukuoka
Japan
42m
Kumamoto
Japan
Travel from Fukuoka to Kagoshima by Shinkansen and visit the active Sakurajima volcano or explore the Sengan-en garden and Shiroyama Park.
Fukuoka
Japan
1h 32m
Kagoshima
Japan
Travel from Shimonoseki to Fukuoka by Shinkansen to explore the food stalls of Nakasu or visit the historic Kushida Shrine in the Hakata district.
Shimonoseki
Japan
26m
Fukuoka
Japan
Travel from Kagoshima to Kumamoto by Shinkansen to explore the reconstructed Kumamoto Castle or visit the Suizenji Jojuen garden landscapes.
Kagoshima
Japan
52m
Kumamoto
Japan
Travel from Yatsushiro to Kumamoto by Shinkansen to visit the historic Kumamoto Castle or explore the Suizenji Jojuen Garden landscapes.
Yatsushiro
Japan
10m
Kumamoto
Japan
Travel from Kumamoto to Kitakyushu by Shinkansen and visit the historic Kokura Castle or explore the industrial heritage of the Mojiko Retro area.
Kumamoto
Japan
54m
Kitakyushu
Japan
Travel from Kurume to Fukuoka by Shinkansen and visit the Canal City Hakata complex or explore the ancient Kushida Shrine near the city center.
Kurume
Japan
17m
Fukuoka
Japan
Travel from Yatsushiro to Fukuoka by Shinkansen to explore the ancient Kushida Shrine or enjoy the open-air food stalls known as Yatai in Tenjin.
Yatsushiro
Japan
57m
Fukuoka
Japan
Travel from Shimonoseki to Kitakyushu by train and visit the famous Kokura Castle or enjoy the sights at the Kitakyushu Museum of Natural History & Human History.
Shimonoseki
Japan
8m
Kitakyushu
Japan
Travel from Fukuoka to Tosu by train and enjoy visits to the Tosu Stadium or shop at the Tosu Premium Outlets.
Fukuoka
Japan
12m
Tosu
Japan
Travel from Tosu to Tamana by train and visit the beautiful Yamaga Onsen or enjoy the historic streets of Tamana.
Tosu
Japan
25m
Tamana
Japan
Travel from Izumi to Omuta by train and visit the historic Omuta City Museum or relax at the scenic Yatsushiro River.
Izumi
Japan
52m
Omuta
Japan
Travel from Shimonoseki to Tamana by train and visit the historic Tamana Onsen or admire the beautiful landscapes at the Tamana City Park.
Frequency
1 times per day
Popular Trains
Shimonoseki
Japan
1h 6m
Tamana
Japan
Travel from Minamata to Kagoshima by JR Limited Express and visit the iconic Sakurajima volcano or relax at the hot springs in Ibusuki.
Minamata
Japan
30m
Kagoshima
Japan
Practical Luggage Guidelines for Tsubame Travelers
Tsubame luggage rules may vary by operator policy, route, or ticket type. Shinkansen passengers should keep bags manageable for platform access, train boarding, and carriage storage. Oversized luggage rules can apply on some Japanese high-speed services, so check current conditions before travel.
How to Book Tsubame Tickets
After selecting a Tsubame departure, add passenger details, check the reserved or non-reserved seating choice, and review fare conditions before payment. Rail Monsters accepts international cards and major payment methods for online train bookings. After payment, booking confirmation is sent by email with ticket details for the selected Kyushu Shinkansen service. Ticket format, exchange requirements, and change or refund rules depend on the route, fare type, and ticket conditions shown before payment.
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Why Book Your Tsubame Train Tickets with Rail Monsters?
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Experience the Best of Japan with Tsubame
Tsubame is a Kyushu Shinkansen service in Japan, operated by JR Kyushu on the Hakata to Kagoshima-Chuo line via Shin-Tosu, Kurume, Kumamoto, and Sendai. It is the all-stations Shinkansen pattern on this corridor, giving access to smaller Kyushu stations as well as major cities. Tsubame trains mainly offer Ordinary Car seating, with reserved and non-reserved seat options depending on the departure. Travelers can search Tsubame timetables and book tickets online through Rail Monsters.
Compare Japan Trains Before You Book: Tsubame vs. Other Options
Tsubame is the all-stations Kyushu Shinkansen service between Hakata, Kumamoto, and Kagoshima-Chuo. Sakura and Mizuho make fewer stops on the same corridor and may run through to the Sanyo Shinkansen. Tsubame suits shorter Kyushu station pairs where stopping service is needed. Compare departures and book your tickets online through Rail Monsters.
Tsubame Route Map - Find and Book Tickets
The Tsubame route follows the Kyushu Shinkansen between Hakata and Kagoshima-Chuo. Key stations include Shin-Tosu, Kurume, Chikugo-Funagoya, Shin-Omuta, Shin-Tamana, Kumamoto, Shin-Yatsushiro, Shin-Minamata, Izumi, Sendai, and Kagoshima-Chuo. Tsubame generally stops at more stations than Sakura or Mizuho, so it is useful for travel within Kyushu as well as links to Hakata for onward JR West Sanyo Shinkansen services.
FAQ and Facts About Tsubame Routes in Japan
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JR West
JR West operates passenger trains across western Japan.