SUNQ PASS | The Ultimate Kyushu Bus Pass
When traveling around Kyushu, if the JR Kyushu Rail Pass is an absolute must-have for train travel, then the SUNQ PASS is undoubtedly the ultimate secret weapon for taking buses! Issued by Nishitetsu and regional bus operators, the SUNQ PASS grants international visitors unlimited rides on highway buses, 99% of local city bus routes across Kyushu and Shimonoseki, and even designated ferry lines. In short, with a SUNQ PASS in hand, you'll rarely need to spend another yen on transportation!
In this guide, I will break down everything in detail: pass types, prices, coverage areas, sightseeing discounts, purchasing methods, and essential tips, helping you explore every corner of Kyushu with ease!
1. SUNQ PASS Types & Pricing
Regarding ticket types and prices, the official overview chart is clear and straightforward. There are currently five distinct pass options: Northern Kyushu 2-Day, Northern Kyushu 3-Day, Southern Kyushu 3-Day, All Kyushu 3-Day, and All Kyushu 4-Day. The details are as follows:
| Pass Type | Price | Validity Period | Coverage Area |
| Northern Kyushu 2-Day | 6,000 JPY | Any 2 of 3 consecutive days | Unlimited rides on highway buses, city route buses, and ferries (5 routes) across Shimonoseki, Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Oita, and Kumamoto |
| Northern Kyushu 3-Day | 9,000 JPY | 3 consecutive days | |
| Southern Kyushu 3-Day | 8,000 JPY | 3 consecutive days | Unlimited rides on highway buses, city route buses, and ferries (1 route) across Kumamoto, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima |
| All Kyushu 3-Day | 11,000 JPY | 3 consecutive days | Unlimited rides on highway buses, city route buses, and ferries (6 routes) throughout all of Kyushu and Shimonoseki (Yamaguchi Prefecture) |
| All Kyushu 4-Day | 14,000 JPY | 4 consecutive days |
An important detail to note is that "1 day" on a SUNQ PASS does not mean a rolling 24-hour window, nor does it expire at midnight. Instead, the new day resets daily at 3:00 AM. For example, if you purchase a 3-Day Pass and start using it on Day 1, it remains valid until 2:59 AM on Day 4. That means boarding or alighting at 12:00 AM or 1:00 AM on Day 4 is completely covered! The official diagram illustrates this nicely:
(The famous Sakurajima Ferry can also be boarded with the SUNQ PASS)
2. SUNQ PASS Coverage Area
As mentioned earlier, riding local city buses within each designated zone is super straightforward. What requires a bit more attention are the intercity highway buses and designated ferry routes. Here is the full route map of applicable services:
Kumamoto sits right at the intersection of Northern Kyushu and Southern Kyushu, so both pass versions are accepted here. However, if your highway bus journey travels across both regions (e.g., Fukuoka to Kagoshima, or Miyazaki to Oita), you must purchase the All Kyushu SUNQ PASS.
For highway bus timetables, trip duration, seat reservation requirements, and booking methods, please refer to the SUNQ PASS Highway Bus Routes Overview and the Highway Bus Reservation System (Online, Phone & Ticket Counter).
Additionally, there are 6 covered ferry routes indicated with ferry icons on the map, all of which are very practical—such as Kagoshima to Sakurajima, Mojiko to Shimonoseki, and Kumamoto to Shimabara. Detailed ferry routes and boarding locations are shown below, which you can check alongside the route map above.
Finally, if you are ever unsure whether a bus accepts the SUNQ PASS or which version is required, there is a very simple check: official SUNQ PASS stickers are prominently displayed on the front windshield and right next to the entrance door of buses, as well as at ferry ticket windows and boarding lounges. The stickers clearly show which pass types are valid, making boarding completely hassle-free.
(The four distinct SUNQ PASS vehicle stickers)
(Aside from reserved-seat highway buses, taking local buses is just like regular transit: take a numbered transit slip [Seiriken] upon boarding, and when getting off, simply flash your SUNQ PASS to the driver instead of paying cash. Ferry boarding is just as easy: present your SUNQ PASS at the ticket counter to pick up your boarding pass before getting on board.)
3. Extra Sightseeing Discounts & Perks
Beyond massive savings on transportation, each SUNQ PASS booklet comes with 15 discount coupons that can be redeemed across Kyushu. These coupons cover around 140 popular tourist attractions, restaurants, accommodations, and more. You can browse the complete list of participating venues and discounts under the official SUNQ PASS Perks & Services or check the Sightseeing Guidebook.
Eligible coupon locations are widespread, including the Kyushu Railway History Museum in Mojiko/Shimonoseki, Fukuoka Tower and Dazaifu Tenmangu in Fukuoka, the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum and Kujukushima Sightseeing Boat in Nagasaki, the Beppu Hells Pass in Oita, the Sakurajima Magma Onsen in Kagoshima, and Kumamoto Castle in Kumamoto. Considering how much you already save on transit fares alone, these extra attraction discounts truly solidify its title as the ultimate Kyushu travel pass!
(Oita's renowned attraction Beppu Hells offers discounted pass admission with the SUNQ PASS!)
4. How to Buy the SUNQ PASS
There are many convenient ways to purchase a SUNQ PASS, mainly divided into "Official Website & In-Person in Japan" and "Online Travel Agencies":
1. Official Website & Buying in Japan
Such an essential pass naturally has its own online ticketing portal. However, after booking online, you still need to collect your physical pass at a designated counter.
Additionally, you can buy passes on the spot at major bus terminals, transport hubs, ticket offices across Shimonoseki and all Kyushu prefectures, Fukuoka Airport International Terminal, and selected general tourist information centers. For detailed office addresses and phone numbers, consult the SUNQ PASS Sales Counters list.
(Fukuoka Airport International Terminal sells the SUNQ PASS right at the bus counter to the front-right after customs. Staff members are ready to assist with pass exchanges and ticket purchases, meaning you can get fully set up the moment you touch down.)
Please note that certain counters do not sell or exchange specific pass types. For example, ticket counters in Kagoshima and Miyazaki do not carry the Northern Kyushu SUNQ PASS, while counters in Yamaguchi and Oita do not sell the Southern Kyushu SUNQ PASS.
You can also purchase vouchers at authorized Japanese travel agencies (such as Nishitetsu Travel, JTB, KNT, Nippon Travel Agency) and participating convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart, etc.). However, unlike major bus terminals, convenience stores and agencies only issue exchange vouchers, which must subsequently be exchanged for the physical SUNQ PASS at an official redemption counter (such as a bus terminal).
2. Purchasing via Online Travel Agencies
This is often the easiest and most convenient route. You can purchase through overseas travel agencies or book directly online via KKday's Kyushu Bus Ticket SUNQ PASS or Klook's SUNQ PASS Bus Pass. Online platform promotional prices are frequently cheaper than buying directly at official counters in Japan!
(Step outside the airport into the bus bays, and virtually every bus lined up accepts the SUNQ PASS—that's what makes this pass unmatched, covering 99% of Kyushu's bus network.)
5. Important SUNQ PASS Guidelines & Tips
1. Regardless of where or how you purchase your pass voucher, you must exchange it for the physical pass at a designated counter.
2. For overnight buses operating in Kyushu (e.g., Fukuoka to Kagoshima, Oita to Kagoshima), the day counted on your pass is determined by the departure date. Even if your bus arrives past 3:00 AM after your pass has technically expired, your trip is fully honored.
3. Refunds are permitted up until the day before your designated start date. Once the start date arrives, refunds cannot be accepted under any circumstances.
4. There is no dedicated child price for the SUNQ PASS. However, children already enjoy standard half-fare rates on highway and local buses, so be sure to calculate whether buying a pass for a child is truly cost-effective.
That wraps up my comprehensive guide to the Kyushu SUNQ PASS! If your itinerary involves frequent bus rides over a few days—especially intercity highway buses—this pass offers unbeatable value and convenience. However, if you plan to stay within a single prefecture, regional 1-day city bus passes might be more than sufficient. Always tailor your choice to your specific travel route!