Visiting an onsen, or hot spring bath, is one of the many Japanese traditions. Locally, trips to nearby hot spring villages and towns are a favorite weekend and holiday getaway for families, friends, and couples. Out of over tens of thousands of hot spring destinations across Japan, a few stand out — one of them is Oita.
The onsen culture fuels Oita’s tourism; not only are these onsen villages popular among the locals but also among foreign visitors who really want to immerse themselves in the Japanese culture. Other than the onsen villages, the prefecture is also known for its hiking trails, mountain ranges, historical places, and quaint villages that exude old town vibe. Some of the famous destinations are Beppu, Yufuin, Hita, and Oita City — the prefecture’s capital.
Part of Kyushu Region, Oita is one of its eight prefectures. The main gateways to the region are Fukuoka International Airport and JR Hakata Station; both are located in Fukuoka Prefecture. You can reach any of Oita’s major cities from Fukuoka by train or by bus.
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Fukuoka to Oita by Train
Oita and Fukuoka are linked by JR trains. Your journey will start at JR Hakata Station in Fukuoka — this is also the station for the Shinkansen or bullet trains. Meanwhile, Oita Station provides access to other parts of the prefecture, such as Beppu, Yufuin, and Hita via Hohi, Kyudai, and Nippo railway lines.
JR Kyushu has limited express trains and local trains. Limited express trains, like the JR Sonic Limited Express and the JR Yufu Limited Express, are faster than the local trains and require few or no transfers. Local trains will stop at every station between Hakata Station and any stations within Oita Prefecture (and beyond). JR Kyushu is also known for its beautifully-designed trains with different themes, including the JR Yufuin no Mori, which runs from Hakata Station to Oita and Beppu.
Here’s how to get to some of Oita’s major cities and tourist destinations from Fukuoka:
Fukuoka to Oita City
- From JR Hakata Station, take the Sonic Limited Express train to JR Oita Station.
- Alight at JR Oita Station.
Travel Time: Approximately 2 hours
Number of Transfers: None (Direct)
Fare: Unreserved Seat – Adult, ¥6380; Child, ¥3190 | Reserved Seat – Adult, ¥6910; Child, ¥3450 | Green Seat – Adult, ¥9180; Child, ¥5990
Fukuoka to Beppu
- From JR Hakata Station, take the Sonic Limited Express train to JR Beppu Station.
- Alight at JR Beppu Station.
Travel Time: Approximately 2 hours
Number of Transfers: None (Direct)
Fare: Unreserved Seat – Adult, ¥6380; Child, ¥3190 | Reserved Seat – Adult, ¥6910; Child, ¥3450 | Green Seat – Adult, ¥9180; Child, ¥5990
Fukuoka to Yufuin
From Hakata Station, you can either get on the Yufu Limited Express or the Limited Express Yufuin No Mori, which will take you directly to Yufuin on a scenic ride. Alternatively, you can take the Sonic Limited Express train with a transfer at Oita Station to Yufuin. The faster and cheaper option is via Limited Express Yufuin No Mori and Yufu Limited Express; however, these two options are on high demand and seats get sold out quickly.
Option 1: Via Limited Express Yufuin No Mori or Yufu
- From JR Hakata Station, take the Limited Express Yufuin No Mori or Yufu Limited Express train to JR Yufuin Station.
- Alight at JR Yufuin Station.
Travel Time: Approximately 2.5 hours
Number of Transfers: None (Direct)
Fare
- Yufu Limited Express: Unreserved Seat – Adult, ¥5100; Child, ¥2550 | Reserved Seat – Adult, ¥5630; Child, ¥2810
- Limited Express Yufuin No Mori: Adult, ¥6130; Child, ¥3060. Note that all are reserved seats.
Option 2: Via Sonic Limited Express
- From JR Hakata Station, take the Sonic Limited Express train to JR Oita Station.
- At Oita Station, transfer to a local train on Kyudai Line bound for Yufuin or Hita.
- Alight at JR Yufuin Station.
Travel Time: Approximately 3.5 hours
Number of Transfers: 1 (JR Oita Station)
Fare
- Hakata to Oita: Unreserved Seat – Adult, ¥6380; Child, ¥3190 | Reserved Seat – Adult, ¥6910; Child, ¥3450 | Green Seat – Adult, ¥9180; Child, ¥5990
- Oita to Yufuin: Adult, ¥1090; Child, ¥540
Fukuoka to Hita
From Hakata Station, you can take any of these three: JR Kagoshima Line Rapid, Yufu Limited Express, or Limited Express Yufuin No Mori. If you are pressed for time, you can take the faster and direct option via Limited Express Yufuin No Mori or Yufu Limited Express. Otherwise, you can take the cheaper option via JR Kagoshima Rapid Line with a transfer at JR Kurume Station.
Option 1: Via Limited Express Yufuin No Mori or Yufu
- From JR Hakata Station, take the Limited Express Yufuin No Mori or Yufu Limited Express train to JR Hita Station.
- Alight at JR Hita Station.
Travel Time: Approximately 1.5 hours
Number of Transfers: None (Direct)
Fare
- Yufu Limited Express: Unreserved Seat – Adult, ¥3130; Child, ¥1560 | Reserved Seat – Adult, ¥3660; Child, ¥1820
- Limited Express Yufuin No Mori: Adult, ¥4160; Child, ¥2070. Note that all are reserved seats.
Option 2: Via JR Kagoshima Line Rapid
- From JR Hakata Station, take the JR Kagoshima Line Rapid train bound for Araki. Alight at JR Kurume Station.
- At JR Kurume Station, transfer to a train on JR Kyudai Line bound for Hita.
- Alight at JR Hita Station.
Travel Time: Approximately 2 hours
Number of Transfers: 1 (JR Kurume Station)
Fare
- Hakata to Kurume: Adult, ¥870; Child, ¥430
- Kurume to Hita: Adult, ¥1300; Child, ¥650
JR Kyushu Pass
Should you decide to take the train, JR All Kyushu Pass and JR Northern Kyushu Rail Pass cover this route. But if you are only traveling around the northern portion, JR Northern Kyushu Rail Pass is the better option. This pass is available in 3-day and 5-day options, and must be used on consecutive days within the selected duration. JR Southern Kyushu Pass and JR All Kyushu Pass (entire Kyushu region) are also sold; therefore, make sure that you will purchase JR NORTHERN Kyushu Pass.
If you are exploring Oita City, Beppu, Yufuin, and Hita, the JR Northern Kyushu Pass gives you unlimited rides on local trains and limited express trains operated by JR around the area. If you are also planning to include Kumamoto and Nagasaki, you can also enjoy unlimited travel on Kyushu Shinkansen (Hakata – Kumamoto) and the Nishi Kyushu Shinkansen (Takeo-onsen – Nagasaki) with this pass.
However, if you want to visit more prefectures in the Kyushu region in a single trip, consider getting the JR All Kyushu Rail Pass instead. In addition to the prefectures mentioned above, this also covers Saga, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. Pass options available with 3-, 5-, and 7-day validity.
You can get the JR All Kyushu Pass and the JR Northern Kyushu Pass at JR Hakata Station or purchase them in advance via Klook.
✅ CHECK OPTIONS & GET JR KYUSHU PASS HERE!
Fukuoka to Oita by Highway Bus
Highway buses (long-distance buses) also run between Fukuoka and Oita. Buses from Hakata Station, Tenjin Bus Center, and Fukuoka Airport ply different routes from Fukuoka to places in Oita. The travel time is two to three hours, depending on the destination in Oita Prefecture.
Fukuoka Bus Stations/Terminals
- Fukuoka Airport
- Hakata Bus Station
- Tenjin Bus Center
Fare: ¥2420 – ¥3250
NOTE: The fare varies depending on the departure point in Fukuoka, the specific destination in Oita Prefecture, and the seat or bus type.
Where to Stay in Oita
Oita City is the capital and the transport hub of Oita Prefecture. Most travelers planning to visit Beppu and Yufuin choose the city as their base, especially the area near JR Oita Station. Here are some of the top recommended hotels according to online user reviews.
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Top Hotels in Oita
- Hotel Nikko Oita Oasis Tower. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Hotel Hokke Club Oita. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Rembrandt Hotel Oita. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom Oita. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Daiwa Roynet Hotel Oita. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
Search for more Oita Hotels!
Where to Stay in Fukuoka
If you decide to make Fukuoka your base, you’ll find plenty of accommodation options in Tenjin and Hakata Ward. These two areas are part of the city center and regarded as tourism and transportation hubs, with attractions, dining spots, and shopping districts dotting their maps. For convenience, choose a place to stay near JR Hakata Station or Tenjin Station.
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Top Hotels in Hakata
- Montan HAKATA. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Toyo Hotel. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Clio Court Hakata Hotel. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Hakata Tokyu REI Hotel. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- WeBase HAKATA Hostel. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
Top Hotels in Tenjin
- Hotel Monte Hermana Fukuoka. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Hotel Monterey La Soeur Fukuoka. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Nishitetsu Inn Fukuoka. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- APA Hotel Fukuoka Tenjin Nishi. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
- Hotel MyStays Fukuoka Tenjin. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
Search for more Fukuoka Hotels!
Have Peace of Mind While Traveling!
Getting a travel insurance is optional, but we highly recommend this, especially when traveling abroad. Travel can be unpredictable, and though we hope we’ll never use it, having it gives us peace of mind in case of unexpected delays, cancellations, or emergencies.
For international destinations, consider PGA Sompo’s TravelJOY Plus insurance. You can GET IT HERE. Don’t forget to use WORTHIT for a special affordable rate.
Join The Poor Traveler Support Group
✅ If you have any questions or need travel tips, feel free to post them to the TPT Support Group. The members are very helpful. This Facebook support group has been around for a long time, and many members have found travel buddies through it. You can join too! Just visit The Poor Traveler Support Group. Note that this is different from The Poor Traveler Facebook page.
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