Traffic access from each Kyushu prefecture to Aso
1. Access from prefectures in Kyushu to Aso
Train
Fukuoka / Nagasaki / Kagoshima → JR Kumamoto Station
| Departs from | Route and transfers | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Fukuoka | Take JR Kagoshima line Limited Express "Relay Tsubame" from JR Hakata station |
Approx. 1:10 hrs |
| Nagasaki | Take JR Nagasaki Main Line Limited Express "Kamome" from JR Nagasaki station to JR Tosu station Transfer at JR Tosu station to either Limited Express "Ariake" or "Relay Tsubame" |
Approx. 2:35 hrs |
| Kagoshima | Take JR Kagoshima Main Line from JR Kagoshima Chuo station | Approx. 1 hr |
Kyushu Shinkansen: Fukuoka/Kagoshima→JR Kumamoto station
| Departs from | Route and transfers | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Fukuoka | Take Kyushu Shinkansen "Mizuho" from Shinkansen Hakata station | Approx. 35 min |
| Fukuoka | Take Kyushu Shinkansen "Sakura" from Shinkansen Hakata station | Approx. 40 hrs |
| Fukuoka | Take Kyushu Shinkansen "Tsubame" from Shinkansen Hakata station | Approx. 50 min |
| Kagoshima | Take Kyushu Shinkansen "Mizuho" from Shinkansen Kagoshima Chuo station | Approx. 40 min |
| Kagoshima | Take Kyushu Shinkansen "Sakura" "Tsubame" from Shinkansen Kagoshima Chuo station | Approx. 1:00 hrs |
JR Kumamoto Station → JR Aso Station
| Departs from | Route and transfers | Length |
|---|---|---|
| JR Kumamoto Station | From JR Oita station, take local Hohi Main Line bound for Miyaji | Approx. 1:10 hrs |
| JR Kumamoto Station | Limited Express "Kyushu Odan Limited Express" | Approx. 1:00 hrs |
Oita → JR Aso Station
| Departs from | Route and transfers | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Oita | Take JR Hohi Main Line Limited Express "Kyushu Odan" from JR Oita station | Approx. 1:50 hrs |
Kyushu train map
Bus
Fukuoka / Nagasaki / Miyazaki / Kagoshima → Kumamoto Kotsu Center
| Departs from | Route and transfers | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Fukuoka | Take a highway bus "Hinokuni" from JR Hakata station Kotsu Center | Approx. 2:10 hrs |
| Nagasaki | Take a highway bus "Rindo" from JR Nagasaki station | Approx. 3:38-50hrs |
| Miyazaki | Take a highway bus "Nanpu" from JR Miyazaki station | Approx. 3:50 hrs |
| Kagoshima | Take a highway bus "Kirishima" from JR Kagoshima Chuo Station | Approx. 3:15 hrs |
Kumamoto Kotsu Center→Aso Kumamoto Airport→Aso Ekimae Bus Stop
| Departs from | Route and transfers | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Kumamoto Kotsu Center | Take a bus "Kyushu Odan" | Approx. 1:30 hrs |
Oita→JR Aso Ekimae Bus stop
| Departs from | Route and transfers | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Oita | Take a "Yamabiko-go" from Oita prefectural government front gate | Approx. 2:00 hrs |
Beppu (Oita)→JR Aso-ekimae bus stop
| Departs from | Route and transfers | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Beppu (Oita) | Take a "Kyushu Odan Bus" from the bus stop in front of JR Beppu station | Approx. 3:00 hrs |
Nobeoka (Miyazaki)→Takamori Chuo Bus Stop
| Departs from | Route and transfers | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Nobeoka (Miyazaki) | Take a "Takachigo" from the bus stop in front of JR Nobeoka station | Approx. 2:15 hrs |
Fukuoka → Kurokawa Onsen
| Departs from | Route and transfers | Length |
|---|---|---|
| Fukuoka | Take an expressway bus at Hakata Kotsu Center bound for Kurokawa Onsen (via Tenjin) | Approx. 2:15 hrs |
2. Public transportation in Aso
We encourage you to use public transportation once you have arrived in the Aso region. Bus lines include the Gurutto Bus in Oguni, the Miyaji Loop Line in Aso City, and the Yurotto in Minami Aso. These bus lines link tourist spots such as local hot springs, springs, historic sites, and museums. The Aso Regular Tourist Bus and Aso Gallery Bus provide quick tours of key spots. Both run twice daily (morning and afternoon; each tour is 3 hours). Visitors can relax and enjoy the majestic scenery as they head to their next destination. Electric-assist bicycles are also available to rent.
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Ogunigo Gurutto Bus This bus serves Oguni-machi and Minamioguni-machi, including stops at government offices and Kurokawa, Oda, and Shirakawa onsens. Contact: Sanko Bus Oguni Branch Office / Tel: 0967-46-3121 |
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Aso Boy The Aso Boy express tourist train began service in June 2011. All seats in the four-car train are reserved. Cars 1 and 2 are equipped with wide windows that provide a panoramic view of Aso's scenery, while Car 3 is geared towards families, with seats that can swivel in any direction – just one of the fun perks of riding the Aso Boy. It runs from Kumamoto to Miyaji twice daily on Saturdays and public holidays year round, as well as during the summer and winter school vacations. Contact: JR Kyushu Reservation Center / Tel: 050-3786-3489 |
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Minamiaso Yurutto Bus This loop bus serves Minamiaso Village, with especially good service around Tateno and Takamori stations. The bus is nicknamed "Ruri-go" after its popular mascot character, a rare butterfly of the Aso region. Contact: Minami-Aso Village Planning and Tourism Department / Tel: 0967-67-2230 |
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Yusuge-go Yusuge-go, Minamiaso's scenic railway, chugs past Nangodani Valley at half the speed as local trains, giving you plenty of time to enjoy the sights. A 62-meter-high iron bridge offers views of the beautiful valley before the train passes through a tunnel and emerges into a pastoral landscape. Contact: Minamiaso Railway / Tel: 0967-62-0058 |
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Aso Regular Tourist Bus Aso's Regular Tourist Bus packs a full selection of Aso's stunning views into a relatively short ride. It even takes passengers to a few secret spots that standard tours usually miss, such as Teno-no-meisui Springs and Kokuzo Shrine. Contact: Sanko Bus Aso Office / Tel: 0967-34-0211 |
