SUNQ Pass and Kyushu bus routes: the original 2025 travel guide

 

 
The original guide recommended SUNQ Pass for traveling around Kyushu by unlimited highway buses, regular route buses, and some ferries, saving transport costs while reaching different areas. It described even longer covered journeys as available without an additional fare. It also reported a shift from paper tickets to a digital pass from October 2024 for use on a phone. On first use, press the use button on the phone to activate it, then show the screen to the driver when boarding or leaving the bus. One reported advantage of the digital version was nonconsecutive use: a 2-day pass within 3 days, a 3-day pass within 5 days, or a 4-day pass within 7 days. This allowed a more relaxed schedule. Some highway bus routes required advance reservations, so the original advice was to check and reserve before traveling. These are the original guide’s descriptions, not a newly verified statement of current coverage or activation rules.

Routes between the Kyushu prefectures featured in the original trip
The following introduces routes from Fukuoka and representative connections between neighboring prefectures.

Original discounted-ticket booking reference: https://myrealt.rip/9NRN3d (Korean)
Route-search website: https://jik.nishitetsu.jp/menu?lang=ko

1. Fukuoka → Nagasaki

Route: Kyushu-go (九州号)
Fare: JPY 2,900
Travel time: about 2 hours 30 minutes
*Advance reservation required

2. Fukuoka → Sasebo

Route: Super Nonstop Sasebo-go (スーパーノンストップさせぼ号),
Fukuoka Airport International Terminal / Hasami / Arita service (Nishitetsu Bus)
Fare: from JPY 2,310
Travel time: about 2 hours 30 minutes

3. Nagasaki → Sasebo
Route: Saihi Bus (西肥バス)
Fare: JPY 1,550
Travel time: about 1 hour 30 minutes

4. Nagasaki → Unzen Fukudaya

Route: Nagasaki–Unzen limited express (長崎-雲仙線（特急）)
Fare: JPY 1,850
Travel time: about 1 hour 40 minutes

5. Unzen Fukudaya → Shimabara Port
Route: Obama–Unzen–Shimabara Station (小浜-雲仙-島原駅)
Fare: JPY 760
Travel time: about 40 minutes

6. Shimabara Port → Kumamoto Port, by ferry

Route: Ocean Arrow (オーシャンアロー)
Fare: from JPY 1,500
Travel time: about 34 minutes
Kumamoto Port → Kumamoto Station
Route: Sanko Bus
Fare: JPY 490
Travel time: about 35 minutes

7. Fukuoka, Hakata → Kumamoto

Route: Hinokuni-go (ひのくに号)
Fare: JPY 2,500
Travel time: about 2 hours 10 minutes

8. Kumamoto Station → Kagoshima-Chuo Station

Route: Kirishima-go (きりしま号)
Fare: JPY 4,100
Travel time: about 3 hours 15 minutes

9. Kagoshima-Chuo Station → Sakurajima Ferry Terminal

Board at the Kagoshima City View stop and get off at Kagoshima Aquarium-mae.
Fare: JPY 220
Travel time: 15 minutes
Sakurajima Ferry Terminal → Sakurajima Port
Fare: JPY 220
Travel time: 15 minutes

10. Kagoshima-Chuo Station → Kirishima Jingu

Kagoshima-Chuo Station → Kokubu Kitasho-mae (国分北小前), on a bus bound for Kokubu Eigyosho / Shigeku Shako (国分営業所 重久車庫行) → Kirishima-Jingu Station, on a bus bound for Kirishima Iwasaki Hotel (霧島いわさきホテル行). The source names Kirishima Jingu in the heading but ends these directions at Kirishima-Jingu Station; it does not supply the remaining shrine connection.

Fare: JPY 1,440
Travel time: 1 hour 50 minutes

11. Fukuoka, Hakata Station ↔ Miyazaki Station

Route: Phoenix-go (フェニックス号)
Fare: JPY 3,500–7,000
Travel time: about 4 hours 19 minutes
 

 
The original guide also listed partner gifts beyond transport. Examples were motsunabe restaurant Rakutenchi and Fukuya in Dazaifu, known for mentaiko. It reported that showing SUNQ Pass at Rakutenchi brought a serving of champon noodles, while Fukuya gave a small confection. These are historical partner-benefit statements in the source; current availability has not been checked.
 
Rakutenchi on Google Maps: Open the original Google Maps location ↗
Fukuya on Google Maps: Open the original Google Maps location ↗