Rent a Car in Fukuoka! Introducing the Foreign Expressway Pass KEP
Have you heard about the Kyushu Expressway Pass (KEP), a discount service for foreign tourists traveling in the Kyushu region? This is an unlimited expressway pass within Kyushu, perfect for those who want to travel extensively and efficiently between multiple prefectures and cities. We will introduce its usage and recommended routes in detail!
What is the Kyushu Expressway Pass (KEP)?
The Kyushu Expressway Pass (Kyushu Expressway Pass = KEP) is a flat-rate expressway pass for foreign tourists traveling in the Kyushu region.
It can be used on expressways in Kyushu managed by NEXCO West Japan, greatly increasing the flexibility of travel! It is very economical compared to regular expressway tolls and allows you to sightsee in multiple locations efficiently.
Eligible applicants are (1) non-Japanese passport holders and (2) Japanese nationals who have permanent residency in a foreign country. Both of them must have a driver's license available in Japan.
Produced by Kyushu Rental Car Drive Promotion Council Provided by Kyushu Transport Bureaus
Extensive coverage of all 7 prefectures in Kyushu
KEP is available on expressways throughout Kyushu. Specifically, KEP covers the seven prefectures of Fukuoka, Saga, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, Oita, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima. This extensive area coverage makes it possible to visit almost all major tourist destinations in Kyushu. (Blue sections in the map = available areas)
Note that the Fukuoka Urban Expressway, Kitakyushu Urban Expressway, Fukuoka Maebaru Toll Road, Nagasaki Dejima Road, Kabira Toll Road, and Ibusuki Skyline are not covered. (Orange sections in the map = unavailable areas)
Be careful of the section where mistakes frequently occur! Toll is charged from Dazaifu IC to Fukuoka Airport (Hanmichibashi Exit)!
If you use "Fukuoka Urban Expressway" from Dazaifu IC, you are out of KEP area. If you go to Fukuoka Airport, getting off "Hanmichibashi Exit", you will be charged 630 yen (for normal car, weekdays) for the section from"Dazaifu IC" to "Hanmichibashi Exit" since this section belongs to "Fukuoka Urban Expressway". Please note that not all expressways in Kyushu are included in fixed-rate of KEP !
Fukuoka Airport International Terminal→Peripheral Area:Use open road from Fukuoka Airport International Terminal to "Dazaifu IC
Peripheral Areas→Fukuoka Airport International Terminal: Exit at "Dazaifu IC" and take the open road to Fukuoka Airport International Terminal.
Validity period you can choose according to your travel itinerary
There are nine types of KEPs, depending on the length of use, from 2 to 10 days. The three main types are the 3-Day Pass, 4-Day Pass, and 5-Day Pass. You can choose the pass that best suits your travel schedule.
Passes are valid for consecutive days and must be used within the specified periods after the purchase.
Selling price (not including car rental fee)
Period | Price |
2 days | 6,200 yen |
3 days | 8,400 yen |
4 days | 10,600 yen |
5 days | 12,800 yen |
6 days | 15,000 yen |
7 days | 17,200 yen |
8 days | 19,400 yen |
9 days | 21,600 yen |
10 days | 23,800 yen |
How to Buy
KEP can be reserved only at car rental companies that handle KEP. Please contact them for details on how to purchase KEP, as it varies depending on the companies.
How to Use
Using KEP is very simple! Just insert the ETC card provided by the rental car company into the car's ETC on-board unit and pass through the toll booth on the expressway. The toll fee will be displayed on display at the expressway booth or on your navigation system even though the expressway is within KEP-valid one. You will not be charged for the displayed toll during the valid section and period of KEP.
Advantages
The greatest advantage of KEP is its cost-effectiveness. Highway tolls can be expensive when touring the large areas of Kyushu, but the flat-rate pass allows for significant savings. It also enables you to travel freely without worrying about tolls, making your travel plans more flexible.
Furthermore, Reducing travel time make it possible to visit tourist attractions more efficiently. Kyushu in particular is ideal for tourists who want to visit many places in a short period of time, as the area is rich in hot spring resorts, beautiful natural scenery, and historical sites.
Important Point
The followings are the points to keep in mind when using KEP;
①The pass is limited to foreign tourists and is not available to foreigners residing in Japan.
②Vehicles that can be used with KEP are limited to rental cars. Private carts are not eligible.
③ Normal expressway rates will be applied after the validity period of the pass expires. Make sure to plan to complete your trip within the valid period.
Travel Plan
2 Day Plan <Fukuoka - Saga - Nagasaki>
1. Dazaifu IC→Higashiseburi IC (Yoshinogari Historical Park)
Approx. 35 km, 30 min.
Expressway fee : 1,000 yen
2. Higashisefuri IC→Nagasaki Kouzuka IC (Nagasaki City Sightseeing)
Approx. 110 km, 1 hr. 30 min.
Expressway fee: 2,920 yen
3. Nagasaki Glauzuka IC→Dazaifu IC
About 150 km, 2 hours
Expressway fee: 3,540 yen
Normal fare total: 7,460 yen
KEP 2-day pass: 3,600 yen
*About 3,860 yen savings!
3-day plan <Fukuoka - Miyazaki - Kumamoto>
1. Dazaifu IC→Nichinan Togo IC (Udo Jingu Shrine)
Approx. 310 km, 3 hr. 40 min.
Expressway fee : 6,260 yen
2. Nichinan Togo IC→Miyakonojo IC (Takachiho Farm)
Approx. 97km, 1 hr. 40 min.
Expressway fee: 940 yen
3. Takaharu IC→Kumamoto IC (Kukmamoto Castle)
Approx. 152km, 2 hr. 30 min.
Expressway use: 3,510 yen
4. Kumamoto IC→Dazaifu IC
Approx. 100 km, 1 hr. 30 min.
Expressway fee: 2,630 yen
Normal fee total: 13,340 yen
KEP 3-day pass: 8,400 yen
*About 4,940 yen savings!
4-day plan <Fukuoka - Kagoshima - Miyazaki - Kumamoto>
1. Dazaifu IC→Kagoshima Kita IC (Sakurajima sightseeing)
Approx. 280 km, 3 hr. 30 min.
Expressway fee: 6,110 yen
2. Kagoshima IC→Miyazaki IC (Aoshima Shrine)
Approx. 160 km, 2 hours 15 min.
Expressway fee: 3,850 yen
3. Miyazaki IC→Nobeoka IC→General road (Kurokawa Onsen)
Approx. 220 km, 3 hr. 30 min.
Expressway fee : 2,920 yen
4. Kurokawa Onsen (open road)→Kusu IC→Dazaifu IC
About 120 km, 2 hours
Expressway fee: 2,390 yen
Total normal fare: approx. 15,270 yen
KEP 4-day pass: 5,600 yen
*About 9,670 yen savings!
5-day plan <Fukuoka - Nagasaki - Kagoshima - Oita>
1.Dazaifu IC→Sasebodaito IC(Huis Ten Bosch)
Approx. 110 km, 1 hr. 30 min.
Expressway fee : 3,180 yen
2.Sasebodaito IC→Kagoshima IC (Kagosima city & Sakurajima Island sightseeing)
Approx. 380km、5 hours
Expressway fee:7,870 yen
3.Kagoshima IC→Yamatotsujunkyo IC → normal road (Takachiho Gorge)
Approx.230km、3hr. 15mins.
Expressway fee:4,170yen
4.Takachiho Gorge→normal road → Oitamera IC→BeppuIC(Beppu Onsen)
Approx.130km、2hr. 30mins.
Expressway fee:780yen
5.Beppu IC→Dazaiju IC
Approx.130km、1hr. 45mins.
Expressway fee:3,440yen
Total normal fare: approx. 19,440 yen
KEP 4-day pass: 6,600 yen
*About 12,840 yen savings!
Rental Car Company List for KEP
Company Name | Phone number | Opening Hours | Websites |
TOYOTA RENT a Car **Currently not accepted(2024July) |
+81-92-577-0091 | AM8:00~PM8:00 | https://rent.toyota.co.jp/ko/ |
Times Car RENTAL | +81-50-3786-0056 | AM8:00~PM6:45 | https://www.timescar-rental.com/ko/ |
Budget Rent a Car | +81-92-624-1720 | AM8:00~PM8:00 | https://www.budgetrentacar.co.jp/kr/ |
ORIX Rent-A-Car | +81-92-687-8005 | AM8:00~PM8:00 | https://car.orix.co.jp/kr/ |
NISSAN Rent a Car | +81-96-355-6752 | AM9:00~PM5:00 | https://nissan-rentacar.com/kr/ |
Nippon Rent-A-Car | +81-3-6859-6234 | AM8:00~PM5:00 | https://www.nrgroup-global.com/ko/ |
Carshop 3seven77 | +81-9-4474-3777 | AM9:00~PM7:00 (Closed on Tuesday) |
http://3seven77.net/en/ |
Rent-A-Car STYLE | +81-92-626-9888 | AM9:00~PM6:00 | https://www.rentacar-style.com |
NICONICO RENT A CAR | +81-92-687-4556 | AM8:00~PM8:00 | https://niconicorentacar.jp/kr/ |
Hako Rent-a-Car | +81-92-260-9506 | AM9:00~PM7:00 | https://www.hakoren.com/en |
Hot-ecolife | +81-50-92-627-2111 | AM9:00〜PM6:00 | https://hot-ecolife.jp/top/ |
Car-rental Fukuoka TJ | +81-92-292-0763 | AM7:00~PM5:00 | https://manora-carrental.com/ |
Hi-Hi Car Rental | AM9:00~PM8:00 | https://hihicarrental.com/ko/ | |
SKY RENT A CAR | +81-93-967-2221 | AM8:00~PM6:00 | https://www.skyrent.jp/ |
※Swipe to the right
Summary
KEP is a very convenient and economical tool for tourists visiting Kyushu from abroad. KEP allows you to travel freely over a wide area and is easy to use. It can be used on ETC on-board device, which brings you smooth passage.
Enjoy the full charm of Kyushu to your heart's content by taking advantage of the convenient and affordable KEP!