Super Mario Train Fukuoka 2026: 885 & 800 Series Event Guide

Super Mario Festa in Fukuoka: JR Kyushu Event and Special Train Guide for May 30–31, 2026

This guidance applies to rail riders planning to attend the "Super Mario Festa in Fukuoka" event at JR Hakata Station on May 30 (Saturday) and May 31 (Sunday), 2026, as well as those interested in riding the special Super Mario Trains (885 series and 800 series) operating on limited routes during the same dates. All information below is drawn from the official JR Kyushu notice published on April 28, 2026.

Who This Applies To

This notice is relevant to the following travelers and rail users:

• Domestic and international tourists visiting the Fukuoka area who wish to attend the Super Mario Festa event at JR Hakata Station Front Plaza on May 30–31, 2026.
• JR Kyushu passengers planning to ride the limited-edition Super Mario Train (885 series, Limited Express "Super Mario-go") between Hakata and Kokura on May 30 or 31, 2026.
• Shinkansen passengers planning to ride the Super Mario Train (800 series, Shinkansen "Tsubame") between Hakata and Kumamoto on May 30 or 31, 2026.
• Families and Nintendo fans interested in the final installment of the "Super Mario × JR Kyushu ~Let's GO KYUSHU!~" campaign, which has been running since November 29, 2025.
• Travelers seeking limited-edition commemorative items, including on-train capsule toys and commemorative boarding certificates available only on the special trains.

According to JR Kyushu's official announcement, this event marks the finale of the broader Super Mario × JR Kyushu campaign that began in late 2025. The source states that the special Super Mario Train operation during this event will be the last scheduled running of these wrapped trains.

Steps to Participate and Ride

The following steps outline how to attend the event and secure seats on the special trains. Please note that all details are sourced directly from the JR Kyushu official notice.

Step 1: Understand the Event Details

The "Super Mario Festa in Fukuoka" will be held at the following location and times:

The event will feature five main activity zones:

1. Koopa Battle (クッパバトル) — A collaborative challenge where participants work together to defeat Bowser.
2. Super Mario × JR Kyushu Original Goods Shop — A retail area selling exclusive merchandise from the campaign.
3. Photo Corner — An area where visitors can take photos with Mario and other characters.
4. Game Experience Corner — A zone for playing games from the Super Mario series.
5. Gourmet Corner — A food area featuring local Kyushu cuisine (九州のご当地グルメ).

Additionally, a special BRT Hikoboshi Line vehicle with a Super Mario × JR Kyushu original design will be on display at the plaza. This vehicle normally operates on the Hita-Hikosan Line segment between Soeda and Hita. The source notes the displayed vehicle will be in the Suigō color scheme and warns that the specific vehicle may change without prior notice.

Step 2: Choose Your Special Train

JR Kyushu is operating two types of Super Mario–wrapped trains as temporary (臨時) services during the event. Both run on May 30 and 31, 2026, and both are all-reserved-seat trains.

Option A: Super Mario Train (885 Series) — Limited Express "Super Mario-go"

Outbound Timetable (Kokura → Hakata):

Return Timetable (Hakata → Kokura):

The source provides additional platform notes: the 885 series arrives at Kokura at approximately 8:42 on platform 5, and departs from Hakata at platform 2 after arriving at approximately 16:36. After arriving at each terminal, the train is immediately taken out of service (回送列車).

Option B: Super Mario Train (800 Series) — Shinkansen "Tsubame"

Outbound Timetable — Tsubame 362 (Kumamoto → Hakata):

Return Timetable — Tsubame 381 (Hakata → Kumamoto):

Platform notes from the source: the 800 series arrives at Kumamoto at approximately 9:59 on platform 11, and departs from Hakata on platform 11 after arriving at approximately 15:39. After arriving at each terminal, the train is immediately taken out of service.

Step 3: Purchase Your Reserved Seat Tickets

Since both Super Mario Trains operate as all-reserved-seat services, advance ticket purchase is mandatory. The source specifies the following sales schedule:

Purchase channels (as specified in the source):

• JR Kyushu Internet Train Reservation (JR九州インターネット列車予約) — available at the official reservation portal
• Midori-no-Madoguchi (みどりの窓口) — JR Kyushu's in-station ticket counters

For general guidance on reserved seat bookings on JR Kyushu services, see our reserved seat ticket guide.

Step 4: Enjoy On-Train Exclusives

Passengers riding the Super Mario Trains will receive the following special benefits, as detailed in the source:

• Commemorative Boarding Certificate (記念乗車証) — Distributed to all passengers on board. The source notes that the design may change.
• Special BGM — Themed background music will be played during the journey.
• Capsule Toy Machines (カプセルトイ) — Original Super Mario × JR Kyushu capsule toys are available for purchase on board.

Capsule Toy Details:

Please prepare exact 100-yen coins if you wish to purchase a capsule toy. The source does not indicate whether change is available on board.

Step 5: Attend the Event at Hakata Station

If you are arriving by the Super Mario Train or by regular JR Kyushu services, the event venue — JR Hakata Station Front Plaza — is directly accessible from the station's main exits. The event runs from 10:00 to 17:00 on both days. The source does not specify whether timed entry reservations or separate tickets are required for any of the five activity zones.

Limits and Exceptions

The following limitations and exceptions are either explicitly stated in the source or noted where the source does not provide information:

• All-reserved seating only: Both Super Mario Trains (885 series and 800 series) are entirely reserved-seat services. There are no unreserved cars. Passengers without a valid reserved seat ticket for the specific Super Mario service cannot board.
• Temporary operation only: These special trains operate exclusively on May 30 and 31, 2026. The source emphasizes that this will be the final scheduled operation of the Super Mario Trains as part of the campaign.
• Vehicle change possibility: The source states that the BRT Hikoboshi Line display vehicle may be substituted without prior notice (展示車両が変更となる可能性もございます).
• Commemorative boarding certificate design: The source notes that the certificate design may change (デザインは変更となる場合がございます).
• Capsule toy payment restriction: Only 100-yen coins are accepted at the on-board capsule toy machines. No other coins, bills, or electronic payment methods are mentioned in the source.
• Event admission details not specified: The source does not state whether the Super Mario Festa event at Hakata Station Front Plaza requires a separate admission fee, reservation, or ticket. Travelers should verify this through the official event site.
• Timetable precision: All arrival times listed in the source use the approximate marker "頃" (approximately), indicating that actual arrival times may vary slightly.
• Post-arrival train status: At both terminal stations, the Super Mario Trains are immediately taken out of passenger service (回送列車) upon arrival. This means the trains are not available for general viewing or boarding after their scheduled passenger runs.

What Travelers Should Prepare

Based on the information provided in the official source, travelers should consider the following preparations:

• 100-yen coins: If you wish to purchase the on-board capsule toy (500 yen each), bring at least five 100-yen coins per purchase. The source specifies that only 100-yen coins are accepted.
• Advance ticket purchase timing: Mark the sales start dates on your calendar. Tickets for the May 30 trains go on sale April 30 at 10:00; tickets for the May 31 trains go on sale May 1 at 10:00. Given that this is the final operation of the campaign, demand may be high.
• Camera or smartphone: The event includes a dedicated Photo Corner with Mario characters. The source does not specify whether photography fees apply, but having a camera ready is advisable.
• Cash for event activities: While the source does not detail pricing for the event's food corner, goods shop, or game experience corner, bringing cash (including coins) is prudent for Japanese event venues. The source does not mention electronic payment availability at the event.
• Time planning: If you wish to attend both the event (10:00–17:00) and ride the Super Mario Train, review the timetables carefully. The outbound 885 series arrives at Hakata at 9:54, which allows arrival before the event opens. The return 885 series departs Hakata at 16:41, shortly before the event closes at 17:00. For the Shinkansen Tsubame, the outbound arrives at Hakata at 10:58 and the return departs at 15:47.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Super Mario Festa event free to attend?

The official JR Kyushu source does not specify whether the event at JR Hakata Station Front Plaza requires an admission fee. The source lists the five activity zones (Koopa Battle, Goods Shop, Photo Corner, Game Experience Corner, and Gourmet Corner) but does not provide pricing for any of them. Travelers should consult the official event site at the JR Kyushu Super Mario campaign page for confirmation.

Do I need a separate ticket for the Super Mario Train, or can I use a regular JR pass?

The source states that both Super Mario Trains are all-reserved-seat services (全車指定席). Tickets must be purchased through JR Kyushu Internet Train Reservation or at Midori-no-Madoguchi counters. The source does not specify whether JR Kyushu Rail Passes, Japan Rail Passes, or other pass products cover these special services. Travelers holding rail passes should confirm eligibility directly with JR Kyushu, as temporary (臨時) services may have different pass acceptance rules.

Can I ride the Super Mario Train one way only?

The source does not explicitly state whether one-way tickets are available or whether the service is sold as a round-trip only. However, the timetables show separate outbound and return services with different train numbers (e.g., Tsubame 362 for the inbound and Tsubame 381 for the return), which suggests that individual one-way bookings may be possible through the standard reservation system.

What does the BRT Hikoboshi Line display involve?

According to the source, a BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) vehicle from the Hikoboshi Line — which normally operates on the former Hita-Hikosan Line segment between Soeda and Hita — will be displayed at the event plaza with a special Super Mario × JR Kyushu design. Both the exterior and interior feature themed decorations with items and characters. The displayed vehicle will be in the Suigō color scheme. The source warns that the specific vehicle may be substituted.

Is this really the last time the Super Mario Trains will run?

The source explicitly states: 「スーパーマリオ トレイン」を臨時列車として特別運行するのは、本運行が最後となります — meaning that operating the Super Mario Train as a special temporary service will conclude with this event. This is presented as the final operation within the "Super Mario × JR Kyushu ~Let's GO KYUSHU!~" campaign that has been running since November 29, 2025.

Official Source

© Nintendo. All Super Mario character names and imagery are property of Nintendo. This article is an informational guide based on the official JR Kyushu notice and does not constitute an endorsement or promotional recommendation.

For general information about traveling by rail in Kyushu, including Shinkansen services and local lines, visit our Kyushu rail travel hub. For details on Kyushu Shinkansen routes and schedules, see our dedicated guide.