Spending the New Years’ holiday at home is fine, but why not go to a temple, a shrine, or to parties and events? Since special trains and buses are scheduled for New Year’s Day, you can go to a countdown event, or go see the first sunrise of New Year. Take a look at the schedules, and choose interesting places to go!
IMPORTANT: The following information is provided as a guide. We strongly suggest you check the details before making plans with the official Japanese language websites – which we have included.
Fukuoka City Subway
All subway lines will be run by Weekends & Holidays schedule during 12/30 (Tue.) ~ 1/4 (Sun.)
Jan. 1 (Thu., Hol.) Midnight special trains
The inner city subway services will be extended for the New Year period. On Dec. 31 (Wed) after the usual last train has departed, 40 special trains will depart until 03:00 on the New Year’s Day. Four of these trains will be operating on the Chikushi Line.
Chikuzen Maebaru (Departure: 0:35, 1:05) → Fukuoka Airport (Arrival: 1:19, 1:51)
Fukuoka Airport (Departure: 2:01, 3:00) → Chikuzen Maebaru (Arrival: 2:45, 3:44)
Meinohama (Departure: 0:20, 0:54, 1:26, 1:56, 2:26, 3:00) → Fukuoka Airport (Arrival: 0:45, 1:19, 1:51, 2:21, 2:51, 3:25)
Fukuoka Airport (Departure: 0:27, 1:01, 1:32, 2:31) → Meinohama (Arrival: 0:52, 1:26, 1:57, 2:56)
Meinohama (Departure: 23:54, 0:39, 1:11) → Kaizuka (Arrival: 23:54, 0:39, 1:11)
Kaizuka (Departure: 1:14, 1:43, 3:14) → Meinohama (Arrival: 1:40, 2:09, 3:40)
Nakasu Kawabata (Departure: 0:39, 1:13, 1:44, 2:14, 2:44) → Kaizuka (Arrival: 0:49, 1:23, 1:54, 2:24, 2:54)
Kaizuka (Departure: 0:24, 0:56, 1:27, 1:58, 2:28) → Nakasu Kawabata (Arrival: 0:34, 1:06, 1:37, 2:08, 2:38)
Hashimoto (Departure: 0:00, 0:30, 1:00, 1:30, 2;00, 2:30) → Tenjin Minami (Arrival: 0:24, 0:54, 1:24, 1:54, 2:24, 2:54)
Tenjin Minami (Departure: 0:30, 1:00, 1:30, 2:00, 2:30, 3:00) → Hashimoto (Arrival: 0:54, 1:24, 1:54, 2:24, 2:54, 3:24)
Full schedule: http://subway.city.fukuoka.lg.jp/subway_apps/upload/relpdfs/20141125192443.pdf
Ecochika Ticket
From Dec. 31 (Wed.) to Jan. 4 (Sun.), Ecochika Tickets (エコちかきっぷ) will be available. For ¥520, enjoy unlimited travel on the day you purchased the ticket (Airport Line 空港線, Hakozaki Line 箱崎線, and Nanakuma Line 七隈線).
• Dec. 31 (Wed.) ~ Jan. 4 (Sun.)
• Adults: ¥520
*For children, please use the ¥100 Chikamaru ticket (ちかまるきっぷ) for unlimited travel for one day (only available during 12/25 (Thu.) ~ 1/7 (Wed.) )
*Tickets can be purchased using the ticket machines in stations. You can only buy tickets for the same day.
*Tickets sold on Dec. 31 (Wed.) can also be used to ride the New Year special trains.
• Inquiry: 092-734-7800
Nishitetsu Trains & Buses
The Nishitetsu Trains & Buses will have special schedules for the New Year period. Check these two tables for more info. The Fukuoka Open Top Bus will NOT be in operation between Dec. 31 (Wed.) to Jan. 3 (Sat.). Holiday Buses and Holiday Act Pass ) can be used on Dec. 27 (Sat.) ~ 28 (Sun.), Jan. 1 (Thu., Hol.), Jan. 3 (Sat.) ~ 4 (Sun.).
* On Dec. 31, the Tenjin Omuta Line will have trains in service all night from 22:00.
* There might be some exceptions.
* To check the new year Schedule, call 0570-00-1010 (Nishitetsu Customer Service)
For more details, please check this page: http://www.nnr.co.jp/newyear/2015/unkou_2.htm
Information regarding the express buses can be found here: http://www.nnr.co.jp/newyear/2015/unkou.htm
JR Kyushu
All lines will be run on a Weekends & Holidays schedule during 12/30 (Tue.) ~ 1/4 (Sun.)
Call: 050-3786-8814 for info on special extra trains (unlisted)
Special Unlimited Travel One Day Passes
(1) Hatsunori! Otoshidama Norihodai Kippu (初乗り!お年玉乗り放題きっぷ)
For unlimited travel on JR Kyushu trains (with exceptions such as the Shinkasen and trains that normally charge additional express surcharges. Consult the JR website for more details (Japanese only)
• On sale: Dec. 10 (Wed.) ~ Jan. 2 (Fri.)
Can be used on either Jan. 1 (Thu.) or 2 (Fri.)
• Adult: ¥2,060, Children: ¥200
(2) Gantan Kyushu Hatsutabi Kippu (元日九州初旅きっぷ)
Unlimited travel on all trains including the Kyushu Shinkansen (unreserved seats) and JR Kyushu Limited Express trains.
• On sale: Dec. 10 (Wed.) ~ Dec. 30 (Tue.)
Can be used on Jan. 1 (Thu.)
• Adult: ¥10,290, Children: ¥2,000
If you buy either of these special passes, you will get three Toshidama Coupons which can be used to get freebies such as omikuji at shrines, discounts or even free admission to attractions within the shrines. The areas included are Fukuoka Prefecture, Saga Prefecture, Nagasaki Prefecture, Oita Prefecture, Kumamoto Prefecture, Kagoshima Prefecture and Miyazaki Prefecture. Check the website for more info: http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/tabi/otoshidama2015/index.jsp
Check our New year’s guides and make perfect plans!
• Nengajo Guide: http://fukuoka-now.com/2014/12/nengajo-how-to-make-a-japanese-new-years-card/
• Countdown Guide: http://fukuoka-now.com/2014/12/countdown2015/
• Hatsumode Shrines Guide: http://fukuoka-now.com/2014/12/hatsumode-in-fukuoka-2015/