Travel Research Weekly | Guide to Japan’s Kyushu Special Trains

● Detailed stops

I don’t know much about trains, and I know that “SL” is the code name for a steam engine train. Likewise: Hokkaido’s SL Wetland Train.

Because I have ridden a steam engine train in Hokkaido, I still have some say. It was a real train that was emitting black smoke. As soon as the train departed, all you could see outside the downwind window was black smoke, full of black smoke. While I like the scenery outside the window, I am worried about air pollution.

The train between Kumamoto and Hitoyoshi is basically the section with the highest utilization rate of sightseeing trains. There are three sightseeing trains passing through this route. The most popular one is SL Hitoyoshi. It only runs one round-trip train on operating days, all passengers have reserved seats, and it does not run every day. It is a gimmick for hunger marketing. Even so, it's still fascinating.

(Who translated the sentence "accompanied by the sound of rail friction" on the official website made me laugh to death)

● Basic train information

● The operating days are basically concentrated on weekends, with occasional operations on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. Please refer to the official website timetable.

● The two panoramic windows in the first picture are located in carriages No. 1 (above) and No. 3 (below) respectively. When the train departs from Kumamoto, Car No. 3 has a panoramic view, and when the train departs from Hitoyoshi, Car No. 1 has a wide view. When buying tickets, you can pay attention to the location of the carriage.

● Timetable

● Detailed stops

● Destination: Yisheng Station

The Japanese are no less superstitious than our people. The Ichisho Station, built in 1914, is regarded as a blessed place because of its auspicious name. You can use the short stop time to purchase the "Guardian Victory Commemorative Ticket", just like the guardian of the station shrine. The station also retains the wooden appearance of 100 years ago, which is very simple and beautiful.

● Destination: Kuma River

One of the three major rapids in Japan ( I saw that Japanese people really like to talk about the three major, five major and one hundred major ) , the Kuma River is the green ribbon on the Kumamoto-Hitoyoshi railway line . Here you can participate in rafting activities (ferry station) and feel the excitement of the Kuma River.

Kumagawa homepage: https://www.kumagawa.co.jp/

● Destination: Hitoyoshi

As the terminus of several sightseeing trains, Hitoyoshi is not a particularly eye-catching metropolis. In addition to old antiques from the early industrial era such as the locomotive garage, it also has Japan's national historical sites and national treasures such as Aoi Aso Shrine and Hitoyoshi Castle Ruins.

Aoi Aso Shrine is located near the station and was built in 806. It is the first building in Kumamoto Prefecture to be designated as a Japanese national treasure. It does look old, and the thatched roof also has a Japanese rural architectural feel. Hitoyoshi Castle is a little further away and can be reached by bus. It is famous for its steep stone walls and is also a very unique and famous spot.

The route is exactly the same as SL Hitoyoshi, with one less stop. The name of the train comes from the two carriages, one is called "Emerald" (Car No. 1) and the other is called "Mountain Jade" (Car No. 2), which is very unique, ha.

● Basic train information

Departure frequency	Departs daily on the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th
drive	94 minutes
Unreserved seats	No unreserved seats on trains 3-6 All unreserved seats on train 1 1/2 unreserved seats on train 2
Reserved seats	Reserved seats for all trains 3-6 1/2 reserved seats for train 2

 

● The operating hours of this bus and the unreserved and reserved seats are enough to make you write a guide.

① Trains 3-6 depart every day, which is equivalent to 2 round-trip trains per day. All four buses have reserved seats;

② Trains 1-2 do not depart every day and stop during non-peak hours. For example, many Tuesdays and Thursdays in April, May and June do not operate. Please refer to the official timetable for details. Train No. 1 has all unreserved seats, while Train No. 2 has half unreserved seats and half reserved seats.

● If you take a round-trip train from Kumamoto to Hitoyoshi, it is recommended to separate the outbound and return journeys with SL Hitoyoshi and experience one train each. If you choose a one-way trip, I personally recommend choosing SL Hitoyoshi, because SL Hitoyoshi is a very rare steam train among Kyushu's special trains.

● Timetable

Depart from Kumamoto	Departure time	arrival time
number 1	7:38	9:12
number 3	11:24	13:05
Number 5	15:20	17:00

 

Renji departs	Departure time	arrival time
number 2	9:30	11:04
No 4	13:25	15:08
number 6	17:24	18:56

 

● Detailed stops

● Please refer to the SL Hitoyoshi train for the scenic spots along the way, they are exactly the same.

The train departing from Kumamoto is called "Isaburo" and the train departing from Yoshimatsu is called "Shinpei". Both of them are seniors who have made great contributions to the development of Japanese railways.

There are two major attractions in this train. The first highlight is the scenery outside the window, which is known as one of "Japan's three major car window scenery". When the weather is good, you can overlook the scenery of the Kirishima Mountains. The other two car window views are of Nagano's Shinonomii Line and the old Nemuro Main Line.

Another highlight is the "spiral and zigzag climbing railway". Everyone must be familiar with the zigzag railway, Zhan Tianyou's zigzag railway. Ohata Station passing through here is the only station in Japan that has these two railway views. That's why the line has a circle. Both viewing and riding are great experiences.

At the same time, this train is one of the three sightseeing trains from Kumamoto covering the Kumamoto-Hitoyoshi line. It is the only sightseeing train that continues to extend the line southward and reaches Yoshimatsu. In Yoshimatsu, passengers can continue taking the Hayato no Kaze Scenic Train south to Kagoshima. For specific transfer and contact lines, please refer to the last chapter of this article .

● Basic train information

● The arrangement of unreserved seats and reserved seats on the Isaburo/Shinpei train is very confusing. Simply put, due to different train numbers, the number of unreserved seats and reserved seats will be different, and depending on the operating date, the composition of the carriages on which the train is issued It will be different again. The carriages are divided into two types: 2-section and 3-section. Generally speaking, the highest proportion of free seats is 1/2 and the lowest is 1/4.

● Timetable

● The departure time and section of Isaburo/Shinpei are very awkward. Trains 2 and 3 only run between Hitoyoshi and Yoshimatsu. Look at the picture below to understand. Anyway, I understand it myself:

● Detailed stops

● Destination: Ohata Station

It is the only station in Japan that has spiral and zigzag tracks passing through it. It is said that if you stick your business card in the station, you will rise to great heights, so the station is basically a small business card expo from all walks of life.

The Hayato no Kaze train has a strong atmosphere of old Japan. The all-black carriages easily remind people of Japanese male students in the Meiji era. The arrangement and decoration of the seats are also very similar to the Japanese era when trains first arrived, and the carriages were arranged according to the aesthetics of that era. The station passing by Kareukawa Station has a history of more than 100 years and is one of the oldest stations on the entire Hisa Line. This nostalgic atmosphere better creates the atmosphere of this retro trip.

You can overlook the sea and Sakurajima from the train, which is the most boastful scenery outside the window in the whole journey. In addition, the layout of the observation car is like a trip to the Shengboden Restaurant flying on the track, pfft.

● Basic train information

● Basically locked to operate every weekend, and will operate throughout the entire month of August 2020. There are scattered car sales days at other times, please pay attention to the official website.

● Car No. 1 has reserved seats and Car No. 2 has unreserved seats.

● Timetable

● Detailed stops

● Destination: Kali River

One of the oldest stations on the Hisatsu Line, the other one is Ohsumi-Yokokawa Station. Both were built in 1903 and have a history of more than 100 years. The train will stop briefly at the station and passengers can get off and take photos.

● Destination: Kirishima Onsen

Close to Kirishima Yaku National Park, the hot springs generated by geothermal heat make it a secret hot spring town in northern Kagoshima Prefecture. Most hot spring trips are accompanied by mountain climbing, and Kirishima Onsen is no exception. You can visit the entire mountain park and try many mature hiking routes. The local Senri Falls and Kirishima Shrine are very popular.

The Tamatehako train is probably the most suitable small train for short-distance travel. The journey takes only 51 minutes and only stops at one station. It departs every day, and there are 3 round trips every day. Although the train only has 2 cars, it is not difficult to buy tickets.

The design used on the train is "Urashima Taro's Tamate Box". You can learn this story by yourself. Anyone who has watched "Doraemon" should know it. The origin is that there is a Ryugu Shrine in Nagasaki, the destination of Ibusuki, which was built to commemorate the story of Taro Urashima. In addition, Ibusuki is an authentic place to experience sand bathing. In addition, JR Love’s southernmost station in Japan is also located at Mount Onishi in Ibusuki.

● Basic train information

● The entire train has designated seats, and Carriage 1 has more seaside views. Shortly after exiting Kagoshima Chuo Station, you can see Sakurajima Volcano on the left side of the direction of the train. Even if you are not facing the window, you can still enjoy the scenery from the car door.

● For some reason there is a library corner in the carriage.

● Timetable

● Destination: Ibusuki

You can book a one-day short ride tour through the visitor center at Ibusuki Station. The half-day trip mainly includes Nagasaki and Nishidaiyama. Nagasakibana is home to the Ryugu Shrine in the story of Taro Urashima, and you can also reach the lighthouse at the southernmost tip of the Satsuma Peninsula (but it is not the southernmost land point in Kyushu), and enjoy the panoramic view of Kaimondake, one of Japan's top 100 famous mountains.

Nishidaiyama is the southernmost station of the JR train in Japan. It has the scenery of Kaimondake and the sign of "Japan's southernmost station".

This is the terminal station of a special train with a very rich travel program. If you still feel that it is not enough, book a hot spring hotel in an old-style hotel to soak in the hot springs. This is a famous hot spring resort in Japan. The sand bath experience of being buried like a sugar-fried chestnut in black sand is also a specialty of Ibusuki.

● Detailed stops

● Destination: Miyazaki

Miyazaki is the capital of Miyazaki Prefecture. Miyazaki Prefecture is located in the southeastern part of Kyushu on the coast. It is unknown on the maps of foreign travelers. However, it is known as the major tourist base of Southern Kyushu and has a developed tourism industry. Who knows? ah. As far as I know, there is no Shinkansen in the local area.

The most famous attraction in the city is Miyazaki Shrine, which is dedicated to Emperor Jimmu of Japan. According to legend, this emperor was the emperor who established the Yamato Dynasty. However, tourists cannot tell this from the architecture. However, Miyazaki Jingu does not use bright red scenery and inner courtyards, which is very unique.

● Destination: Obi

"饫" sounds the same as jade. It is a scenic spot that is fortunate to be called "Little Kyoto". In Japan, "Little Kyoto " is a golden sign that symbolizes the existing ancient style and rich history of a destination.

The history of Ofei dates back to the late 16th century, and the only attraction in the city worth visiting is Ofei Castle, a 10-minute walk from the station. The size of this castle is not comparable to that of super large castles such as Kumamoto Castle and Osaka Castle. It is at best a "landlord's castle". Only the city wall can be considered a real monument, and the buildings in the castle are basically from reconstruction. The surrounding gardens are of stunning beauty.

● Destination: Aoshima, Qingdao

This Qingdao is not that Qingdao. Qingdao on the Shanxinghaixing route is a real small island (but it seems that the route is not close to the sea? Confused) , with a circumference of only 1.5 kilometers, and you can’t count the number of steps in the circle of friends even if you walk around it. Takeover.

The more famous local attraction is Qingdao Shrine, which is said to be a good place to seek marriage. If you are troubled in this regard, you can give it a try. Japanese shrines are a bit like European churches. If you pass through a destination with no scenery, at least there will be a church in the center of the village. The same is true for shrines.

I have almost figured it out for myself, and I can summarize how these lines should be played together. First picture:

Kumamoto is a big station. Unfortunately, due to the earthquake, the Aso Boy train is temporarily unable to connect to Kumamoto. If this line resumes operation, it is easy to see the ambition of the special train: Bao Yuaner, your entire Kyushu travel transportation (Umi Xing Shan Xing train is crying silently in the corner) .

The picture above is relatively clear, but Aso-Kumamoto is still disconnected here. I checked the current transportation lines and found that all the rail transit lines in the Aso-Hyoho-Otsu area are affected. A safer way would be to go back from Aso, but considering that we won’t be able to go to Japan for a while, Traveling, so maybe it will be repaired when I can travel freely (Self-imposed fault: the earthquake was in 2016, and it is still affected in 2020, so I’m afraid it won’t be repaired so soon) !

■ Translation: Affected by the Kumamoto earthquake, the operation between Higo-Otsu-Aso Station has also been affected and postponed today.

Kumamoto is truly a city with unique train terminals! But if we don’t go back, we have to make a decision about the route. For example, SL Renji and Jade Mountain Jade completely overlap. Running three special trains on one line, don't be too good at making money, JR Company.