This train, Aso Boy! connects Kumamoto and Beppu via Aso. When you go to Mt. Aso by a train, take the Shinkansen to Kumamoto and transfer to this train. This is the easiest way to get there.
This train offers not only access to Aso but also a big fun, especially if you travel with child(ren). This train is operated by the refurbished Kiha-183 series. This was completely redesigned by JR Kyushu chief designer, Eiji Mitooka. The facilities of this train make both parents and children enjoy the ride to Aso.
You will find how nice this train is for kids in this article.
Route, schedule and trip time
Aso Boy! runs 2 round trips a day between Kumamoto and Miyaji. If you just need to access to Aso, you can use Trans Kyushu Limited Express too. This train is operated on same route. Aso Boy! connects Kumamoto with Aso or Miyaji in 1 hour and 30 minutes. You can see the timetable at JR Kyushu website (English page).
View Aso Boy! in a larger map
Stations
Station | |
---|---|
Kumamoto(熊本) | x |
Shin-Suizenji(新水前寺) | x |
Suizenji(水前寺) | x |
Higo-Otsu(肥後大津) | x |
Tateno(立野 | x |
Akamizu(赤水) | x |
Aso(阿蘇) | x |
Miyaji(宮地) | x |
x:All trains stop
Accommodation
Aso Boy! is operated by KIHA 183 series. This train was redesigned just before this train was introduced to operate in 2011. This train has the observation seats with huge windows at both end. And there are many features for the family group and kids.
This train has a character. That is a black puppy that is called “Kuro-chan”. This character is drawn on both interior and exterior. Kuro-chan is everywhere and I am pretty sure that kids like it. This train have lots of playful mind.
The standard seat pitch is 960mm. But there are “Parent and Child seat” and semi compartment seat. These seats are quite different from the standard seat. I will show you all kind of seats below. There is no Green cars on this train. And all seats are reserved seat. You must make a reservation before you ride.
*Sonic Rail Garden has copyright for all images of accommodations below.
Train formation
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
P/R | R | FR | R/P |
*P=Panoramic observation seat R=Reserved seat FR=Reserved seat for family (Parent and Child seat)
Smoking is not allowed on these trains.
Images
Car#1 Panoramic observation seat and standard reserved seat
Car#3 “Kuro Club” Kids play area
There are three facilities, wood ball pool, kids tea ceremony room and library.
Car#3 “Kuro Cafe”
You can buy drink, snack and souvenir. Kuro chan’s souvenirs are very popular. If you want to buy, go and get ASAP.
Comments
Hi
I have a plan to go to Aso mt. in the morning of 12 july 2015.
Checked in Hypedia there don’t have LTD. EXP KYUSHU ODAN TOKKYU 2 or Aso boy in the time table can you advice me
and what station i have to go Aso or Miyaji
Thankyou
Hi Rak,
I think Hyperdia does not have seasonal train info yet. Sometimes it happens.
Anyway Aso Boy will run on 12 Jul. Please find operation date and schedule at the link below:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/seasonal-trains-schedule/schedule-of-2015-spring-seasonal-trains-of-japan-railways.html
Kyushu Odan #2 is not existed. Because Kyushu Odan Tokkyu share train # with limited express Kumagawa. That runs between Hitoyoshi and Kumamoto only.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Dear Takeshi san,
I plan to go to Aso on Jan 10 2015 from Yufuin. Is there a training between to Aso from Yufuin? Base on hypedia searching it is complicated and require many transit.
Does Aso Boy run on Jan 10 2014?
Appreciate your advices.
Hi Thashita,
There is no direct train route between those places. You have to get Oita and transfer. It think the map that on JR Kyushu site shows you the route easily.
http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/time_table/time_table.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
Can i ask if the special trains in Kyushu run in december?
I cant seem to find any information about it.
Thank you for your kind assistance.
Hi Jeff,
Mostly it’s still TBA. I think it will be announced in late October. Please stick around the link below:
https://jprail.com/category/travel-informations/seasonal-trains-schedule
I will update when I get new schedule.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi, I plan to go to Aso on Jul 16-18, would like to know if ASO Boy will operate on Jul 16 and 18. And, are all the seat needed to have reservation and no free seating? If I reserve the seat at Hakata station (on Jun 12), will it be too late to secure a seat?
Thanks,
Sharon
Hi Sharon,
Unfortunately Aso Boy does not run on these days. Please see the operation dates at the bottom of following link:
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/seasonal-trains-schedule/schedule-of-2014-summer-seasonal-trains-of-japan-railways.html
It’s always hard to book this train. The chance is very slim if you try to book within a few days prior to departure date.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi, I have plan to take Aso boy from Kumamoto Station to Aso on October 13th, 2014. Would you kindly tell me if Aso boy is operated on that day and can I book ticket in advance.
Thank you
Hi Sida,
At this point, it won’t run in October. But it will be added. If it will run, I will write it at the following category:
https://jprail.com/category/travel-informations/seasonal-trains-schedule
Regarding reservation, basically you can’t do it from outside of Japan. Please see the details at the following link:
https://jprail.com/destinations/how-to-reserve-seat.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi, I have plan to take Aso boy from Kumamoto Station to Aso on April 3rd, 2014.
Would you kindly tell me if Aso boy is operated on that day and can I book ticket in advance by using Kyushu Pass from Hakata Station.
Thank you so much
Joe
Hi Joe,
Yes, it does. You can find more info at the very bottom of the following link.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/seasonal-trains-schedule/schedule-of-2014-spring-seasonal-trains-of-japan-railways.html
You can book it after you got Kyushu Rail Pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi Takeshi,
Thank you so much for your reply and useful infos.
Joe
I have plan to Mt. aso in 3Mar2014. I don’t see aso boy timetable (aso–>kumamoto) in this day,is it on annual inspection?
Hi Ning,
That’s right. It will be in the inspection until March 14. It will start to run on March 15.
https://jprail.com/travel-informations/seasonal-trains-schedule/schedule-of-2014-spring-seasonal-trains-of-japan-railways.html
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
We will be in Kyushu the beginning of February 2014. Will Aso Boy be running on Feb 5, 2014? Thank you.
Hi Melissa,
Unfortunately it will not.
This fleet is in the annual inspection. I’m not 100% sure, but it will be come back in March.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Hi!
I m holding to a JR west sanyo pass : http://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/travel-information/pass/all_kyushu/
I need to know whether aso boy is included in the pass free of charge?
Is there a web link which i can easily check which train is available in the pass?
Hi Jay,
How about this?
http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/time_table/time_table.html
But this map does not cover local trains.
When you check the timetable at Hyperdia, check on Japan Railway (JR). All JR trains are covered by the pass.
Cheers,
Takeshi / JP Rail
Nice trains, Wanna visit Japan.