JR Kyushu · Tourist Train
Kyushu's forest-green resort express from Hakata to the onsen town of Yufuin — observation seats, a buffet and attendants on board.
ゆふいんの森
Yufuin no Mori
Yufuin no Mori is one of JR Kyushu's 'Design & Story' trains: a high-deck, wood-panelled express through the Chikugo river valley to Yufuin, with one daily run continuing via Oita to Beppu.
Every seat is reserved and the train is often fully booked — plan around it, not the other way round. On days it doesn't run, the plain limited express Yufu covers similar times without attendants or a buffet.
Two formations run the line: a 5-car train (III) on most services and a 4-car train (I) with a salon car. Both have observation seats at each end.
座席タイプ別ガイド
Car 1 is at the Hakata end.
展望席
Front & rear cars · 1 person
A handful of high-deck seats behind the driver's window at each end of the train, with a near-180° view.
Best for: Train fans and photographers.
Only a few per end — book them the moment sales open.
指定席
Most cars · 1 person
High-deck reclining seats with big windows.
Best for: Everyone.
Right side (C/D) for Jion Falls and the old Bungo-Mori engine shed; left side (A) for Mt. Yufu as you approach Yufuin.
ボックス席
Car 3 (5-car train) / Car 2 (4-car train) · 3–4 people
Facing seats around a big table next to the buffet — ideal for sharing food.
Best for: Families and small groups.
¥ = no extra seat charge · ¥¥¥¥ = most expensive. Charges vary by season — see the official fare table.
予約・決済攻略
Book on JR Kyushu's online reservation (free membership) or at any JR Kyushu ticket office. Box seats are sold at station ticket offices.
Sales open at 10:00 JST, one month before the travel date.
It doesn't run every day. Check JR Kyushu's calendar before building your Yufuin plans around a specific train.
Weekend and holiday trains sell out. Observation seats go first.
Pick up at a JR ticket office or reserved-seat machine — there is no ticketless boarding.
On-board bentos are pre-order only, from one month ahead until 3 business days before travel.
Ways to pay
車内グルメ・駅弁
Buffet
Car 3 (5-car train) / Car 2 (4-car train)
手荷物
Local experiences
Model train
Yufuin no Mori N-gauge
≈ ¥15,000+
Souvenir
Yufuin no Mori goods
≈ ¥1,000
Links go to Amazon.co.jp / Rakuten Ichiba. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases; we may also earn a commission from Rakuten at no extra cost to you.
コンビニ受け取り
Order on Amazon.co.jp or Rakuten
Overseas cards work; Amazon.co.jp can be switched to English.
Choose konbini pickup
Amazon: Lawson, FamilyMart or Ministop (not 7-Eleven). Rakuten: only shops that offer it — look for コンビニ受取 at checkout.
Wait for the pickup email
It contains a barcode or pickup number. Allow a few days, and check the holding period.
Collect at the counter
Show the code at the register (or print a slip at Lawson's Loppi terminal). No hotel front-desk hassle.
Not available for marketplace-seller items, chilled/frozen food, alcohol or oversized goods. Pickup stores and rules change — confirm on the checkout screen.
