Saga has a range of public transport options available to residents, including an extensive bus and train network, as well as airports in Saga and nearby Fukuoka.

To use public transport you can either:

• Purchase physical tickets.
• Use an IC card. The IC cards can be bought and claimed at most ticket machines, where you can recharge them with physical cash. It is possible to add a Mobile IC to certain devices/OS.
• Please note if you’re travelling West of Kohoku Station, physical tickets must be purchased as the area between these stations is a “No IC Card” Zone.

 

Trains

 All lines running through Saga City are operated by JR. There are 3 main train lines that service the Prefecture (and beyond) – Local Trains 普通 that are slower and service more small stations, and Limited/Rapid Express 特急 that only stop off at the bigger stations along the route.

 Saga is isolated from the kyushu shinkansen – your routes are either between Nagasaki and Takeo-Onsen, or both south to Kagoshima or West to Fukuoka/ mainland Japan via Shin Tosu Station.

Train tickets are generally one-way and valid for any train during the date of ticket purchase. For Short Distance Fares, you’ll need to pay with an IC card or cash. For the local service, you can use simply tap your IC card at the barriers (only between Tosu and Kohoku) or purchase a single ticket at the station. Maps are available in every station with a route table, and most of these display stations in English as well as Japanese.

For limited trains, you need to purchase both the Single Fare Ticket + Limited Express Charge. The machine will print out two tickets that you push through the barrier simultaneously (stack them together). Limited/Rapid trains will have conductors and guards that will check you have the right ticket!

If you’ve made a mistake, you’ll be able to pay for an adjustment with staff either on the train or at the station you disembark at. Most train platforms have Fare Adjustment Machines if you purchased the wrong ticket or need an emergency top up on your IC card.

Shinkansen and Long Distance Journey ticket booths will be separate (and usually green), and you’ll be able to make a specific train and seat reservations depending on how far in advance you are making the purchase. You can use a credit/debit card on these machines.

Buses

Saga City is serviced by Saga City Buses, Nishitetsu, Showa, and Yutoku. You can now use IC cards on all Saga City and Nishitetsu buses, pay in cash, or use discount ticket packs (sold from a ticket machine at the Bus Center, tickets are valid for all four companies).

The main transportation hub for buses in Saga City is the Saga Station Bus Center, which is right next to the train station. From here you can catch local buses around the city, buses to Tenjin (Fukuoka’s shopping district), Fukuoka Airport or Saga Airport, and highway buses to other cities around Kyushu. The bus is generally a cheaper option than trains, but takes longer.

For highway buses, you will need to make a reservation and pay at the counter inside the Bus Center. These buses board on the north side of the Bus Center. Some highway buses travel overnight so you can maximize your time at your destination. The buses heading in to Fukuoka do not need reservations, you can just get on. If you are making a round trip to Fukuoka Airport or Tenjin, you can save some money by purchasing round-trip tickets at the ticket desk or ticket machine.

While most highway buses operate like regular coaches and board from the front door, for the local buses around Saga City, you board the bus via the rear door and take a numbered ticket from the ticket machine as you do so. As you travel along, either the driver or an automated voice will announce each stop. When you get to your destination, check the fare board above the driver for your fare – look for the number corresponding to your ticket and the price below is your fare. Drop the exact change plus your paper ticket in the clear box next to the driver. If you don’t have correct change, there is a change machine next to the ticket/money collection box that will change up to 1,000 yen bills. If using prepaid tickets, drop the ticket in as you would change. (You can use a combination of tickets and change as needed.)

For more information and pictures showing how to get a ticket and work out your fare on a local bus, try this document.

Saga City Bus and Nishitetsu have handy tools for checking bus times and routes. Jorudan can also search various bus routes in addition to trains.