Thanks for checking out the video. This was a great day. It was my first time visiting this part of Kyushu! Here's a video of a train in Tokyo, if you find yourself kicking around there: th-cam.com/video/FQoUeh-mIOg/w-d-xo.html
I love the concept that each joyful train has, I think it's too cool how they care about all the details! The ride was nice and so was the train, with the raised seats. Greetings Andrew, Yufuin looks like a beautiful city :)
I rode this in 2014, and the thing I remember most is going through a little village where six or seven locals were lined up on a street near the track and waved at the train with little stuffed animals. Very kawaii.
This route is covered by the JR pass. We started our pass in Fukuoka the day before wanting to ride to Yufuin. All three Yufuin no mori were sold out. No unreserved seats on the no mori train. So we took the regular train at 743 from Fukuoka. If you want a chance to ride this train with the pass plan to start the pass a few days before the trip
This is solid advice. Any of the trains I show should be reserved/ bought asap. Even I have trouble getting tickets now. Sometimes the return trip may be more vacant.
After two nights in Yufuin we were able to ride the no mori #2 train to Beppu. It arrived full in Yufuin but emptied. Very few people on the train after Yufuin.
Hi Andrew, I’ve not been able to find concrete info online. Could you please clarify if you used a JR Pass for any of the joyful trains? Which JR Kyushu joyful trains are covered by JR Pass (not the Kyushu pass)? Any info appreciated, thanks as always!
I didn't use a railpass and paid with cash. Afaik, all joyful trains are covered by the rail pass. The only instance I know of a pass not working 100% is when the train uses another company's track. The only case I know of this is near Tokyo to get to Izukyu-shimoda.
Hi Andrew, we will be riding the Yufu no Mori I from Beppu to Yufuin (4 car train), Right now the front row window seat (both left and right window seats) are already booked, while the aisle seats on that very front is free, should I take the aisle seat or should I just take the last row window seat in the last car? As someone who had ridden the train I'd like to know which has a better panoramic view experience?
Good question. I tend to enjoy the side views more, visiting the cafe, and walking around the train, so the last row would be my choice. If you're someone who tends to just enjoy the trip from your seat for the entire duration, I imagine the front would be optimal. Enjoy your trip to Kyushu!
we have fitted this into our tight itinerary, and going to Fukuoka just so we can ride this train. I'd love to know if you think we can arrive back at Hakata station at 14.20, and get through the station to the metro, to get to the airport for our 17.20 flight to Okinawa please. I can't find a station map, so I can't check where the train comes in, plan our route to pick up our left luggage and find our way to the metro for the airport.
Hakata station has a metro stop in the basement. Only 2 stops from the airport- very quick. Hakata stn is very easy to navigate with one main corridor running the width of the station. Only need about 90 min for a domestic flight so lots of time.
![Traveling on Kyushu, Japan's super cost-effective Sightseeing Train, Yufuin no Mori [Yufuin - Beppu]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/bIm9fqE5ihk/mqdefault.jpg)
![Traveling on Kyushu, Japan's super cost-effective Sightseeing Train, Yufuin no Mori [Yufuin - Beppu]](/img/tr.png)
Thanks for checking out the video. This was a great day. It was my first time visiting this part of Kyushu!
Here's a video of a train in Tokyo, if you find yourself kicking around there:
th-cam.com/video/FQoUeh-mIOg/w-d-xo.html
Glad to have found your video! I'll be visiting Yufuin from Fukuoka this December and the seat recommendation is absolutely helpful. Thanks! :))))
Very nice trip. Enjoy!
I love the concept that each joyful train has, I think it's too cool how they care about all the details! The ride was nice and so was the train, with the raised seats. Greetings Andrew, Yufuin looks like a beautiful city :)
Many thanks Ariel, this is a very nice train. I'm glad you enjoyed it too!
I rode this in 2014, and the thing I remember most is going through a little village where six or seven locals were lined up on a street near the track and waved at the train with little stuffed animals. Very kawaii.
Chou kawaii! Glad you had a memorable time! It's a fantastic experience!
This route is covered by the JR pass. We started our pass in Fukuoka the day before wanting to ride to Yufuin. All three Yufuin no mori were sold out. No unreserved seats on the no mori train. So we took the regular train at 743 from Fukuoka. If you want a chance to ride this train with the pass plan to start the pass a few days before the trip
This is solid advice. Any of the trains I show should be reserved/ bought asap. Even I have trouble getting tickets now.
Sometimes the return trip may be more vacant.
After two nights in Yufuin we were able to ride the no mori #2 train to Beppu. It arrived full in Yufuin but emptied. Very few people on the train after Yufuin.
Hi Andrew, I’ve not been able to find concrete info online. Could you please clarify if you used a JR Pass for any of the joyful trains? Which JR Kyushu joyful trains are covered by JR Pass (not the Kyushu pass)?
Any info appreciated, thanks as always!
I didn't use a railpass and paid with cash. Afaik, all joyful trains are covered by the rail pass.
The only instance I know of a pass not working 100% is when the train uses another company's track. The only case I know of this is near Tokyo to get to Izukyu-shimoda.
Hi Andrew, we will be riding the Yufu no Mori I from Beppu to Yufuin (4 car train), Right now the front row window seat (both left and right window seats) are already booked, while the aisle seats on that very front is free, should I take the aisle seat or should I just take the last row window seat in the last car? As someone who had ridden the train I'd like to know which has a better panoramic view experience?
Good question. I tend to enjoy the side views more, visiting the cafe, and walking around the train, so the last row would be my choice.
If you're someone who tends to just enjoy the trip from your seat for the entire duration, I imagine the front would be optimal.
Enjoy your trip to Kyushu!
we have fitted this into our tight itinerary, and going to Fukuoka just so we can ride this train. I'd love to know if you think we can arrive back at Hakata station at 14.20, and get through the station to the metro, to get to the airport for our 17.20 flight to Okinawa please. I can't find a station map, so I can't check where the train comes in, plan our route to pick up our left luggage and find our way to the metro for the airport.
Hakata station has a metro stop in the basement. Only 2 stops from the airport- very quick. Hakata stn is very easy to navigate with one main corridor running the width of the station.
Only need about 90 min for a domestic flight so lots of time.
Is this route included in your JR pass?
The JR pass and some other passes work for this train.