KYUSHU: Yufuin no Mori ゆふいんの森
Yufuin no Mori ゆふいんの森
Yufuin no Mori is the sightseeing train that brings passengers from Hakata to the beautiful towns, Yufuin and Beppu (on Yufuin no Mori 3 only), which are both the famous onsen towns in Oita Prefecture.
Yufuin no Mori runs two to three times a day, taking passengers into Yufuin from Hakata Station in Fukuoka. The journey takes about 2hours and 15mins to Yufuin, and longer to Beppu (on Yufuin no Mori 3 only). This train is covered by the JR Kyushu North Kyushu Pass and JR Kyushu All Pass. Reservation is a must to board onto this train (there are no non-reserved seats available on this train).
I walked pass many English articles or posts online before I reserved my tickets. Most of them weren’t as detailed as I thought (back then in 2023). So, I went on scrolling through Taiwanese blog posts and found the answers I wanted. So in this post, I will try my best to do as detail as I can, on which car seats or which car number to chop.
Bear in mind, my travel days were back in 2023. Things and terms and all might have changed but I think the train seats and setting won’t have big changes. LOL.
Back then when I travelled in March 2023, the train’s reservation fee for Yufuin no Mori was only ¥1,000 per ticket. But then when I travelled in November 2023, it increased to ¥1,500 per ticket. Anyhow, it still worth the money spent as the sightseeing train is something different with special theme, with different interior from the usual train. Reservation is opened one month (or 30 days) before your expected departure date.
For full itinerary, check out JAPAN TRIP 2023: 8D7N in Fukuoka, Kashima, Yufuin & Mojiko
Also, check out JAPAN TRIP 2023: 10D9N in Okayama, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Kashima and Yufuin if you would love to have a mix of fun travel in Kyushu and outside of Kyushu.
Yufuin no Mori is so vintage-y sweet that you will wanna take a photo with. It is coloured in elegant green with forest-inspired theme inside the train. The flooring, the tables and even bar counter are in wooden theme, contrasting the very forest-y prints seating.
When you are doing your reservation, don’t be confused with the numbering of Yufuin no Mori 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. The odd number, Yufuin no Mori 1, 3, 5 are the train departing from Hakata to Yufuin, while the even number Yufuin no Mori 2, 4, 6 are the one bringing you back to Hakata Station.
However, there is also slight differences between Yufuin no Mori 1, 5 (2, 4) and Yufuin no Mori 3 (4).
Yufuin no Mori 3 (4) is a very special train, with only 4 cars (or carriage), its Car number 4 is the only carriage with a special forest theme. The print on the seats is different from the other car’s seats!
When picking up the seats, A and B or C and D, try to select seats C and D side. You will be passing by Jion-no-taki Falls. At this point, the train will slow down for the passengers to enjoy the scenic view of the waterfall.
Jion-no-taki Falls can be seen on the right side of the train when travelling from Hakata to Yufuin (after passing the Amagase Station), and left side of the train when travelling from Yufuin to Hakata. Regardless of which way which side, just select seats C and D if you wish to get the waterfall view. Seats C and D are the hot selling seats, they can get booked out very fast!
Here is the Lounge Area where you can enjoy the picturesque nature view as the train moves along the way. This space fully filled up quickly as the train departs from the station.
These Booth Seating require reservation in advance. Don’t ask me how to book this, as I have never explored on it. LOL.
Bento and beverages are sold here eat the bar counter section. I managed snatch the last box of Yufuin Wappa, the colourful bento with four kinds of “Temari Onigiri” rice ball and sides with Bungo chicken and uncured ham from Oita Prefecture. The beef bento was already sold out at time it reached my turn to order. This was back then in 2023. Nowadays it seems that passengers may have to pre order the bento online.
Queuing to get my food.
Yufuin Wappa and Kase Kuchen (¥320) – Yufuin’s famous Milch Cheesecake that is made with 100% Yufuin Milk! Fluffy light soft cake with rich creamy soft center.
Kase Kuchen (¥320) – Yufuin’s famous Milch Cheesecake that is made with 100% Yufuin Milk! Fluffy light soft cake with rich creamy soft center.
Sausage snack and Milch’s Donut to munch.
Souvenirs and all sort of Yufuin no Mori related merchandises on the train to purchase. Very cute!
You may also bring home a copy of stamp card of the train as a souvenir. Try to locate this section to get the chop chop card. Haha.
So… in the case if Yufuin no Mori sightseeing train is fully booked, you can still hop on Limited Express YUFU, which can take you from Hakata to Yufuin. As for my experience, I didn’t manage to book Yufuin no Mori sightseeing train (Hakata > Yufuin) for my November trip; the slot I wanted was fully booked out/ or didn’t allow to book (even though I logged in right on the day itself, very early morning to make this reservation). I had no choice but to book the Limited Express YUFU. The train’s reservation fee for YUFU was ¥1,000 per ticket.
Limited Express YUFU offers Non-reserved seats too. You may travel with the JR Kyushu North Kyushu Pass and JR Kyushu All Pass without paying extra for reservation seats. If you are travelling with bigger group, I will suggest reserving the seats for guaranteed seats, especially during peak seasons.
It was an early morning ride, so we packed some breakfast to go on board.
