Sakurajima-go Highway Bus Connecting Fukuoka and Kagoshima to Revive Night Service After 6 Years!

Nishitetsu Co., Ltd. (Chuo Ward, Fukuoka City; President and CEO: Koichi Hayashida) and JR Kyushu Bus Co., Ltd. (Hakata Ward, Fukuoka City; President: Kazunari Noda) will operate the night service of the 'Sakurajima-go' highway bus between Fukuoka and Kagoshima starting Tuesday, September 1, 2026. This marks the return of the night service after approximately six years.

Since its launch in March 1990, the 'Sakurajima-go' has served many customers as a highway bus connecting Fukuoka and Kagoshima. However, due to declining ridership caused by the impact of the novel coronavirus pandemic, night service operations were suspended in June 2020. Recently, travel demand between Fukuoka and Kagoshima has increased, driven by tourism, while the rising cost of accommodations has also heightened the need for overnight travel. In response, the companies have decided to resume night service operations. Additionally, the Kagoshima-to-Fukuoka service will now include access to Fukuoka Airport's international terminal, aiming to capture new demand.

To serve more customers, the service will introduce 4-abreast seating (36 seats total) and designate 14 women-only seats. Privacy curtains between all seats will also be installed to ensure a safe and comfortable travel environment.

Nishitetsu and JR Kyushu Bus aim to contribute to enhanced regional exchange between Fukuoka and Kagoshima by improving customer convenience and expanding mobility services.

Overview of the 'Sakurajima-go' Night Service

【Route Name】

Fukuoka–Kagoshima Line (Night Service)

【Operating Companies】

Nishitetsu Co., Ltd., JR Kyushu Bus Co., Ltd. (Joint Operation)

【Service Start Date】

September 1, 2026 (Tuesday)

【Reservation Start Date】

8:00 AM, Saturday, August 1, 2026

【Number of Services】

1 round-trip per day

【Fares】

Regular Fare

Web Discount Fare

Adult One-Way

8,500 JPY

8,000 JPY

Child / Adult Disability Discount

4,250 JPY

4,000 JPY

Child Disability Discount

2,130 JPY

2,000 JPY

* No round-trip discounts, transfer discounts, ticket books, or season tickets available.

* SUNQ Pass, ALL KYUSHU PASS, and shareholder discount tickets cannot be used.

* Grand Pass and Holiday Act Pass cannot be used at half price.

* The Fukuoka–Kagoshima Line is a reserved seating route. Reservations can be made up to one month before the travel date.

【Route and Schedule】

* Restroom breaks: Hirokawa SA (Fukuoka-bound), Mizobe PA (Kagoshima-bound)

* Crew rest stops: Ebino PA (Fukuoka-bound), Tamana PA (Kagoshima-bound)

【Vehicle】

Nishitetsu and JR Kyushu Bus vehicles

4-abreast seating, 36 seats

Women-only seats (14 seats), restroom available

Privacy curtains between all seats

Smartphone charging (outlets or USB ports) and Wi-Fi available

【Reservation Methods】

＜Online Reservation＞

Highway Bus.com website (URL: https://www.highwaybus.com/gp/index)

* Reservation cutoff: 30 minutes before departure time

＜Phone Reservation＞

Kyushu Highway Bus Reservation Center TEL: 092-734-2727 (8:00–19:00)

＜Main Ticketing Outlets＞

* Nishitetsu Tenjin Highway Bus Terminal (Mon–Thu 5:15–22:15, Fri–Sun/Holidays until 22:50)

* Hakata Bus Terminal (7:00–21:00)

* Nangoku Kotsu Bus Terminal (8:30–19:00)

【Additional Information】

* Nishitetsu Co., Ltd.

https://www.nishitetsu.jp/bus/highwaybus/rosen/sakura/

* JR Kyushu Bus Co., Ltd.

https://www.jrkbus.co.jp/kousoku/detail/4

(Reference) Sakurajima-go (Daytime Service)

【Reservation】 Seat reservation required

【Number of Services】 13 round-trips (excluding night service)

【Travel Time】 Approximately 4 hours 15 minutes (Tenjin Highway Bus Terminal to Kagoshima-Chuo Station)

【Operating Companies】 Nishitetsu Co., Ltd., Nangoku Kotsu Co., Ltd., Kagoshima Kotsu Co., Ltd., Kagoshima Kotsu Kanko Bus Co., Ltd., JR Kyushu Bus Co., Ltd.