Nishitetsu Highway Bus Sakurajima-go is an express bus operated by Nishitetsu Highway Bus, connecting Fukuoka and Kagoshima, and started service on March 22, 1990.

On December 17, 2018, the Sakurajima-go was newly reborn with the new “HARMONY” bus color, which was introduced to buses mainly on express routes to commemorate the 110th anniversary of Nishi-Nippon Railroad Co.

Express buses are known as the most cost-effective means of transportation for long-distance travel when your wallet is tight, but if you have never ridden on one before, you may be wondering what it is like inside the bus and from departure to arrival.

How much is the fare? How do I make reservations? What types of seats are available? Is it safe for women? I am sure there are a number of things you are wondering about.

This time, I boarded the Nishitetsu Highway Bus “Non-Stop Sakurajima-go” from Tenjin, Fukuoka Prefecture to Kagoshima Main Port (High Speed Boat Terminal), Kagoshima Prefecture.

Here is a quick look at the inside of the bus and my impressions of the actual ride!

Nishitetsu Highway Bus Sakurajima : Introduction of Specifications

1. Name: Nishitetsu Highway Bus – Sakurajima
2. Length: 88.93 meters
3. Gross Tonnage: 580 tons
4. Operating Speed: 60km~80km
5. Seating Capacity: 35

Introduction to the interior of the Sakurajima

Seat

Inside Nishitetsu Highway Bus

photo by mitemil

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Inside the bus were four rows of seats, two on each side.
I heard that there is also a 3-row seat type, but the bus I boarded was the 4-row type.

The overhead air conditioning was self-adjustable.
It is cool in summer and warm in winter, so you will be comfortable during the trip.

The get off button is also located overhead, so you can get off by pressing it in an area where it is possible to get off.
Seat spacing was wide, and there was a table in front of me that could be stowed away.

On the left side of the storage table, there is a shallow recess where paper cups sold at convenience stores can be placed.
On the right side, a plastic bottle could be inserted.

fixtures

Fixtures in Nishitetsu Highway Bus

photo by mitemil

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It was a translucent type bag to put in case of nausea due to motion sickness or garbage, but it was light blue so it was difficult to see what was inside.

There were three booklets containing information on driving precautions, minimum required manners, driver error response systems, and emergency braking.

USB port

USB charging port in Nishitetsu Highway Bus

photo by mitemil

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The window seat had a USB port for charging on the wall and the aisle seat had a USB port under the arm rest on the right side.

Note that this is a USB port, not an outlet type, so you cannot plug in a charging adapter.
This is great for those who want to listen to music on their phones or tablets while traveling.

Nishitetsu Highway Bus Boarding Point & Alighting Point

Bus stop and drop-off locations vary depending on the type of route.

Non-stop buses pass through most stations, so you can head smoothly to your destination.

Buses passing through the airport do not stop at Kagoshima Airport, while buses via the airport can get off at Kagoshima Airport!

Fukuoka→Kagoshima

Bus Stop	Nonstop	Airport Pass	Airport Via
Hakata Bus Terminal Platform 36	Board	Board	Board
Nishitetsu Tenjin Expressway Bus Terminal Platform 6	Board	Board	Board
Chikushino (Nikaido Onsen Entrance)	–	Board	Board
Kosokuyama	Board	Board	Board
Kurume Interchange	Board	Board	Board
Yame Interchange	–	Board	Board
↓	↓	↓	↓
Kagoshima Airport South	Board	Alight	Alight
Kagoshima Airport	–	–	Alight
Tobosha	–	Alight	Alight
Ishiki	–	Alight	Alight
Kagoshima Central Station East Platform 19	Alight	Alight	Alight
Tenmonkan	Alight	Alight	Alight
Kagoshima Port (High Speed Boat Terminal)	Alight	Alight	Alight

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Kagoshima→Fukuoka

Stop	Nonstop	Airport Pass	Airport Via
Kagoshima Port (High Speed Boat Terminal)	Board	Board	Board
Tenmonkan	Board	Board	Board
Kagoshima Central Station East Platform 19	Board	Board	Board
Ishiki	–	Board	Board
Tobosha	–	Board	Board
Kagoshima Airport	–	–	Board
Kagoshima Airport South	Board	Board	Board
↓	↓	↓	↓
Yame Interchange	–	Alight	Alight
Kurume Interchange	–	Alight	Alight
Kosokuyama	Alight	Alight	Alight
Chikushino (Nikaido Onsen Entrance)	–	Alight	Alight
Nishitetsu Tenjin Expressway Bus Terminal Platform 6	Alight	Alight	Alight
Hakata Bus Terminal Platform 36	Alight	Alight	Alight

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Please check the Nishitetsu Highway Bus’s time information between Fukuoka and Kagoshima on its official website!

▼ Nishitetsu Group Highway Bus Information

https://www.nishitetsu.jp/bus/highwaybus/rosen/

Sakurajima rest area

Kita-Kumamoto SA (down)

Motenas Ebino (downhill)

This time we took the bus from “Nishitetsu Tenjin Express Bus Terminal” in Fukuoka Prefecture to “Temmonkan (bus stop)” in Kagoshima Prefecture.

Here is a brief look at the inside of the bus!

When can I make a reservation for Sakurajima?

You can purchase a reservation-only express bus ticket from 8:00 a.m. (or the first day of the month if there is no such date in the previous month) of the month prior to the boarding date (two months prior for Fukuoka – Tokyo and Fukuoka – HTB).

How to make reservations for Sakurajima

Booking by phone

Fukuoka Pref.
Kyushu Express Bus Reservation Center : 0120-489-939 (8:00-19:00)
From cell phones, PHS, IP phones : 092-734-2727

Kagoshima Pref.
Kagoshima Main Port Highway Bus Reservation Center: 099-222-1220 (9:00-19:00)
Kagoshima Chuo Station (Nangoku Kotsu Highway Bus Reservation Center): 099-259-6781 (9:00-17:00)

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Book online

I wanted to ride at an even lower price, so I booked Nishitetsu Express Bus No. 54104, Sakurajima-go, online at highwaybus.com, which offers web discounts.

▼Highwaybus.com
https://www.highwaybus.com/gp/index

credit card payment
For credit card payment, select the payment method “Credit” on the reservation screen and enter your credit card information in the credit card information field.

Convenience Store Settlement
For payment at a convenience store, select “Convenience store” as the payment method on the reservation screen and choose one of the convenience stores where you would like to make your payment.

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How much is the fare/fee/price for boarding the Nishitetsu Highway Bus Sakurajima?

(*1) Children over 12 years old who are still in elementary school will be charged the child’s fare.

(*2) Those who wish to use the senior discount must present an official certificate (driver’s license, etc.) showing the date of birth when purchasing tickets at the ticket counter.

(3) Even if the child is 12 years old or older, if the child is still in elementary school, the child’s fare will be the same as in (1).

I made a reservation on the web and the fare was 3,550 yen one way with the web discount.

Please check the official website for information on routes and fares other than those between Fukuoka and Kagoshima on Nishitetsu Highway Bus!

▼Nishitetsu Group Highway Bus Information

https://www.nishitetsu.jp/bus/highwaybus/rosen/

Sakurajima Timetable

This time I boarded Nishitetsu Highway Bus Sakurajima-go, but various other bus companies (Nangoku Kotsu, Kagoshima Kotsu, Kagoshima Kotsu Kanko, JR Kyushu Bus) also operate “Sakurajima-go” between Fukuoka and Kagoshima.

▼ Nishitetsu Kosoku Bus: Revision of the timetable

Revised timetable for “Sakurajima-go” Fukuoka – Kagoshima route on October 1, 2023 Timetable (common timetable for all days of the week) PDF

Free Wi-Fi available on board the Sakurajima-go

There was a free Wi-Fi available while the bus was in operation.

The name of the Wi-Fi network is “Kyushu_Bus_Network_FreeWi-Fi

It was easy to register by simply entering a computer e-mail address and other information.

It is nice to have Wi-Fi because using map apps with GPS functions while on the move can quickly run you up to your speed limit.

My impression of the Nishitetsu Highway Bus Sakurajima

This time we introduced how we took the Nishitetsu Express Bus from Fukuoka to Kagoshima.

This time I took the highway bus because I had plenty of time to spare, and although it takes longer, the price is just so cheap and great!

The Shinkansen takes about 1 hour and 48 minutes and costs 10,640 yen, while the highway bus takes about 4 hours and 20 minutes and costs 3,550 yen, which is one third of the Shinkansen fare!

If you have time to spare, I recommend the highway bus!

If you are considering taking the Nishitetsu highway bus for your trip, I hope this will be helpful.

Have a good bus trip! \(^o^)/