Nishitetsu train runs all night to Dazaifu Tenmangu from New Year’s Eve

Nishi-Nippon Railroad will operate all night on the Nishitetsu Tenjin Omuta Line from 2020 New Year’s Eve, and will operate the extra express “Hatsumode” that runs directly between Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station and Dazaifu Station in the New Year of 2021.

Nishitetsu type 6000 train on the Tenjin Omuta Line
Nishitetsu type 6000 train on the Tenjin Omuta Line

From the last train on New Year’s Eve on December 31, 2020 (Thursday) to before the first train on January 1, 2021 (Friday / holiday), 77 extra trains (express, local) will be operated on the Nishitetsu Tenjin Omuta Line (except for the Amagi Line.) The train runs between Nishitetsu-Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station and Dazaifu Station every about 20 to 30 minutes, and direct trains connecting Nishitetsu-Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station or Nishitetsu-Kurume Station to Dazaifu Station will be also set up.

At the beginning of the year, the extra “Hatsumode” express trains will run that is useful for visiting Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine. On regular Saturdays and holidays, there are 6 express trains a day that connect Nishitetsu-Fukuoka (Tenjin) Station to Dazaifu Station without changing trains, but adding the “Hatsumode”, a total of 29 trains (14 for Fukuoka / 15 for Dazaifu). The “Hatsumode” was operated only on 3 days of New Year in usual years, but in 2021 the operating days will be extended to 6 days – from January 1 (Friday / holiday) to 3 (Sunday) and 9 (Saturday) to 11 (Monday / holiday) for the purpose of encouraging distributed visits.

Nishitetsu train runs all night to Dazaifu Tenmangu from New Year's Eve

The “Dazaifu Hatsumode Ticket” will be on sale at major stations on the Nishitetsu Tenjin Omuta Line. A special round-trip ticket from 12 stations (Nishitetsu Fukuoka (Tenjin), Ohashi, Kasugabaru, Nishitetsu-Futsukaichi, Asakuragaido, Chikushi, Mikunigaoka, Nishitetsu-Ogori, Nishitetsu-Kurume, Hanabatake, Nishitetsu-Yanagawa & Omuta) to Dazaifu Station with a special ticket holder, but it will be discontinued as soon as it is no longer limited to 7,600 sets. The sold period is from December 31 (Thursday) to January 11 (Monday / holiday), and the valid period is from December 31 (Thursday) to January 12 (Tuesday). The price is the same as the round-trip fare from the above stations to Dazaifu station.

The event “New Year Kagami Biraki in Dazaifu Station”, which is held on New Year’s Day every year, will be canceled in 2021 to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine Main Hall
Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine Main Hall

On the Nishitetsu Tenjin Omuta Line, the “Saturdays and Holidays timetable” is applied from December 29 (Wednesday) to December 31 (Thursday), and the “New Year’s timetable” on the January 1 (Friday / holiday) to 3 (Sunday) and 9 (Saturday) to 11 (Monday / holiday). The schedule will change after 22:00 because of the all-night operation on December 31 (Thursday). The Kaizuka Line will be operated by “Saturdays and Holidays timetable” from December 30 (Thursday) to January 3 (Sunday).