"YUFUIN NO MORI" Timetable, Fares, and How to Buy Tickets

This article provides a comprehensive overview of JR Kyushu's sightseeing limited express train, "YUFUIN NO MORI," which connects Hakata Station to Yufuin Station and Beppu Station. It includes timetables, fares for representative sections, stations served, seating information, ticket purchasing procedures, whether ticket issuance is required, and information on IC card and credit card contactless payment options. Since all seats are reserved, advance seat reservation is essential. This article summarizes key points to check before your trip.

*The timetable reflects information as of March 14, 2026.

"YUFUIN NO MORI" is a JR Kyushu sightseeing limited express train connecting Hakata Station to Yufuin Station and Beppu Station. It's popular not only for travel to the hot spring resorts of Yufuin and Beppu, but also for tourists who enjoy the train ride itself. All seats are reserved, so advance seat reservations are required. Operating information and fares are subject to change, so please check the official website for the latest information before using the service.

What is "YUFUIN NO MORI"?

"YUFUIN NO MORI" is a JR Kyushu sightseeing limited express train connecting Hakata Station to Yufuin Station and Beppu Station. It was created with the concept that "the journey begins the moment you board the train," and is characterized by its metallic green body and "high-decker structure" with a raised floor. There are two types of trains: the classically styled "YUFUIN NO MORI" I-series (4-car train) and the more stylish "YUFUIN NO MORI" III-series (5-car train). The train set used varies depending on the operating day and train No.; for example, the I-series is used for Trains No. 3 and No. 4, and the III-series is used for Trains No. 1, No. 2, No. 5, and No. 6. All seats are reserved, so you must make an advance seat reservation before boarding; seat reservations cannot be made on board the train.

Train Features and Popular Points

The "YUFUIN NO MORI"'s greatest appeal lies in its large windows offering a high vantage point thanks to its high-decker structure, allowing passengers to dynamically enjoy the mountainous and rural landscapes and riverside scenery of the Yufuin and Beppu areas. The retro yet luxurious interior, which makes the most of the texture of wood, is also popular, and tourists praise it as "a train where the ride itself becomes the purpose of the trip." The box seats with large tables that can accommodate 3-4 people, and the front and rear panoramic seats are particularly popular, and passengers can enjoy limited-edition gourmet dishes made with ingredients from Oita and Kyushu, as well as local craft beers, at the onboard buffet. It is also well-known among foreign travelers, and many international tourists can be seen boarding the train at Yufuin Station and Beppu Station.

Timetable for "YUFUIN NO MORI"

*Please check the destination for each train No., as the operating section varies depending on the train.

Downbound (toward Yufuin/Beppu) Timetable

Upbound (toward Hakata) Timetable

Trains No. 3 and No. 4 operate between Hakata Station and Yufuin Station, as well as Oita Station and Beppu Station, while Trains No. 1, No. 2, No. 5, and No. 6 operate only between Hakata Station and Yufuin Station. Please note that even within the same "YUFUIN NO MORI" series, the operating sections differ depending on the train No. Operating dates from October 2026 onwards are scheduled to be announced around late August 2026. If you have decided on your travel dates, please check the operating calendar on the JR Kyushu official website before departure to confirm whether the trains are running.

Important Information Regarding Operating Days and Service Suspensions

"YUFUIN NO MORI" does not operate every day, but runs according to an operating calendar. Trains No. 1, No. 2, No. 5, and No. 6 are operated with the III-series (5-car) formation on some days and with the I-series (4-car) formation on others. If "YUFUIN NO MORI" is unavailable due to maintenance or other reasons, the limited express "Yufu" will operate as a substitute at the same time and with the same stops. During substitute runs, there are no cabin attendants on board, so onboard sales are not available.

Operating Sections of "YUFUIN NO MORI"

Main Sections

• Hakata Station to Yufuin Station
• Hakata Station to Oita Station/Beppu Station

Yufuin Station is the closest station to the Yufuin Onsen hot spring resort and serves as a base for exploring Yufuin, including horse-drawn carriage rides and Kinrin Lake. Beppu Station is the gateway to Beppu Onsen, one of Oita Prefecture's most famous hot spring resorts. Since destinations vary depending on the train, please check the train No. and destination before using it. There are also tourist spots around Hita Station and Bungo-Mori Station along the way, and some travelers use these stations to stop by.

Stations Served by "YUFUIN NO MORI"

Main Stations Served

• Hakata Station
• Tosu Station
• Kurume Station
• Hita Station
• Amagase Station
• Bungo-Mori Station
• Yufuin Station
• Oita Station (for Trains No. 3 and No. 4 only)
• Beppu Station (for Trains No. 3 and No. 4 only)

*The stations served may vary depending on the train No. Please check the latest list of stops on the JR Kyushu official website.

Fares for "YUFUIN NO MORI"

Representative Section Fares

*Only the total fare (basic fare and limited express surcharge) for the Hakata Station to Hita Station section is listed. For the most up-to-date information, please check the official JR Kyushu website or the fare search on Ekitan.

• Limited Express Price, Ticket and Timetable - Ekitan

Breakdown of Basic Fare Ticket and Limited Express Ticket

The fare for "YUFUIN NO MORI" is the sum of the basic fare ticket to your destination and the reserved seat limited express ticket (the fare required to ride the limited express train). The reserved seat limited express surcharge varies depending on the day of travel (regular season, busy season, peak season, etc.). Since all seats on "YUFUIN NO MORI" are reserved, there is no unreserved seat fare.

Online-Only Product (Kyushu Net Ticket)

JR Kyushu's "Kyushu Net Ticket" allows you to purchase reserved seat tickets at a lower price than the regular fare. This product is only available for online reservations and requires advance payment. The fare is 5,600 yen for the Hakata Station to Yufuin Station route and 3,030 yen for the Hakata Station to Hita Station route.

*Fares may vary depending on the date of use, purchase method, and fare revisions. For the most up-to-date information, please check the official JR Kyushu website or the fare search on Ekitan.

How to Buy Tickets for "YUFUIN NO MORI"

JR Kyushu Internet Train Reservation

Becoming a JR Kyushu Web member (free registration) allows you to reserve seats via smartphone or computer. You can check seat availability in real time and complete your reservation 24 hours a day, even from home or while traveling, making it a convenient way to purchase tickets for travelers who don't have time to go to a station ticket counter. Reserved seats go on sale at 10:00 AM one month before the date of travel. Box seats are not available for online reservation and are only sold at Midori-no-madoguchi. Popular seats can fill up immediately after going on sale, so we recommend booking early if you have a set date of travel.

 

 

Station Ticket Office (Midori-no-madoguchi)

You can purchase your basic fare ticket and reserved seat limited express ticket together at JR Kyushu's Midori-no-madoguchi. If you wish to reserve a box seat or wheelchair-accessible seat, you must make a reservation at the ticket office.

Reserved Seat Ticket Vending Machine

You can also purchase basic fare tickets and reserved seat limited express tickets at the reserved seat ticket vending machines installed at the station. You can also specify your seat location.

How to Buy for Foreign Tourists

For foreign tourists, JR Kyushu offers the JR KYUSHU RAIL PASS. If you board a train with all reserved seats, such as "YUFUIN NO MORI," after exchanging your pass, you can present your pass at the station ticket window and make a seat reservation as usual without any additional charges. On the other hand, if you make an online advance seat reservation on the official JR Kyushu reservation website before exchanging your pass, an additional charge of 1,500 yen per seat is required for sightseeing trains (D&S trains). The number of seats that can be reserved and the trains that are eligible may vary depending on the type of pass.

*The types of passes eligible, fares, and conditions for online advance reservations are subject to change. Please check the JR Kyushu official website for the latest information.

Is Ticket Issuance Required?

Even if you reserve a seat online, you will need to pick up your reserved seat ticket at a station ticket window or reserved seat ticket vending machine before boarding. "YUFUIN NO MORI" primarily offers products that require the issuance of a reserved seat ticket; there are no fully ticketless options that allow boarding solely through a smartphone reservation screen. Reservation and ticket issuance are separate procedures. "Reservation complete" does not necessarily mean you can board immediately without ticket issuance, so be sure to confirm the ticket pickup method at the time of purchase.

*The requirement for ticket issuance and the method of receiving the ticket may vary depending on the reservation service and ticket type. Please check the latest information in the instructions provided at the time of purchase or on the JR Kyushu official website.

Can IC Cards or Credit Card Contactless Payments Be Used?

When riding a limited express train, you will need a reserved seat limited express ticket in addition to your basic fare ticket. While the SUGOCA IC card can sometimes be used as a basic fare ticket within its service area, when riding a limited express train, you must purchase a reserved seat limited express ticket in advance at a ticket vending machine or similar location, and you cannot use the remaining balance on your IC card to pay for the fare on board.

JR Kyushu offers a contactless payment service for entering and exiting ticket gates using credit cards (credit card boarding), but this service is only available at a limited number of stations and lines, including the Kagoshima Main Line (Mojiko Station to Kurume Station) and parts of the Kashii Line. The Kyudai Main Line (Beppu Station to Yufuin Station), where "YUFUIN NO MORI" runs, is not included. Accepted card brands are Visa, Mastercard, JCB, American Express, Diners Club, Discover, and UnionPay.

Even in areas where contactless payment is supported, only the basic fare portion is covered; reserved seat limited express tickets must be purchased separately. You cannot "ride a limited express train with just contactless payment." *Supported stations and lines may change. Please check the JR Kyushu official website for the latest information.

Seating Information for "YUFUIN NO MORI"

Seat Types (All Seats Reserved)

"YUFUIN NO MORI" only offers Ordinary Car Reserved Seats; there are no unreserved seats or Green Car.

Distinctive Seating

Both the I-series (4-car train) and III-series (5-car train) offer front and rear panoramic seats (available at the regular reserved seat fare) and box seats for 3-4 people (with large tables, also available at the regular reserved seat fare). Box seats are only sold at Midori-no-madoguchi. Car No. 4 of the III-series (5-car train) has a special interior design reminiscent of a "forest" with trees, while the I-series (4-car train) has a salon space where cabin attendants provide sightseeing information about Yufuin between Bungo-Mori Station and Yufuin Station.

Large Luggage Storage Area

The I-series (4-car train) has a large luggage storage space in Car No. 1, and the III-series (5-car train) has one in Car No. 4, which can accommodate suitcases.

Barrier-Free Facilities

Car No. 3 of the III-series (5-car train) is equipped with a wheelchair lift, wheelchair-accessible seating, a multi-purpose toilet (with a baby seat and diaper-changing table), and a multi-purpose room. However, because "YUFUIN NO MORI" has a high-decker structure, there are stairs at the entrance and the aisles inside the train are narrow, so there are some cars that cannot be moved through while remaining in a wheelchair. If you will be using a wheelchair, it is recommended that you consult with JR Kyushu (0570-07-8787) or station staff in advance.

*Seat types and onboard amenities vary depending on the train configuration (I-series or III-series) on the day of operation. Please check the latest train information on the JR Kyushu official website.

 

 

Ekiben and Onboard Gourmet Food to Enjoy on "YUFUIN NO MORI"

"YUFUIN NO MORI" has a buffet (onboard sales counter) in Car No. 2 of the I-series (4-car train) and Car No. 3 of the III-series (5-car train), where you can purchase sweets, local beer, souvenirs, and more. The limited-edition bento boxes, which can be reserved in advance, are particularly popular. You can reserve them online beforehand and pick them up after boarding. The menu mainly features ingredients from Oita and Kyushu, and many travelers enjoy taking them back to their seats to enjoy at their leisure. When the train is operated as a substitute for the limited express "Yufu," there are no cabin attendants on board, so onboard sales are not available.

*Please note that the products available for bento boxes and onboard sales, pickup methods, and reservation deadlines may change. Please check the latest sales information on the JR Kyushu official website.

Points to Note When Riding "YUFUIN NO MORI"

Since all seats on "YUFUIN NO MORI" are reserved, if you have decided on the date and time you wish to travel, we recommend making your reservation as soon as it opens (10:00 AM one month before the travel date). The operating days vary depending on the calendar, and on some days, due to vehicle maintenance, only the I-series (4-car train) or III-series (5-car train) will be in operation. If the limited express "Yufu" is used as a substitute, there will be no onboard sales.

Even if you reserve your seat online, you will need to pick up your reserved seat ticket at the station before boarding. Since IC card or credit card contactless payment cannot process the limited express ticket portion, please purchase the limited express ticket separately. If you have a large suitcase, it's a good idea to check which car has large luggage storage space.

Summary

"YUFUIN NO MORI" is a JR Kyushu sightseeing limited express train that is convenient for travel from Hakata Station to Yufuin Station and Beppu Station, operating 3 round trips per day. Since all seats are reserved, both a basic fare ticket and a reserved seat limited express ticket are required, and advance seat reservation is essential. Tickets can be purchased at JR Kyushu's online train reservation service, Midori-no-madoguchi, and reserved seat ticket vending machines. For foreign tourists, there is the JR KYUSHU RAIL PASS, but seat reservation after exchanging the pass is available without additional charge, while online advance reservation requires a separate fee (1,500 yen per seat for sightseeing trains). The Kyudai Main Line is not eligible for credit card contactless payment services, so limited express tickets must be purchased at ticket counters or vending machines.

Please note that timetables, fares, and seating arrangements are subject to change. Check the latest information before departure and enjoy your journey on "YUFUIN NO MORI," where you can also enjoy the travel time itself.

Ekitan Travel Media Editorial Department

The Ekitan Travel Media editorial team provides information on transportation in Japan, including Shinkansen (bullet trains), regular trains, intercity travel, and access to tourist destinations. We also offer easy-to-understand travel information for international visitors.
This article is published by Ekitan Co., Ltd., the provider of the train transfer information service "Ekitan," and is based on Japanese railway and transportation information. Ekitan's website and app are used by over 10 million users per month.