Travelled on 21.03.2014
There are two round trips on a day when the train is in operation (Sat, Sun and holidays). For this trip, I boarded Aso Boy 101 which departed from Kumamoto JR Station at 1028 hrs and arrived at Aso JR Station at 1155 hrs.
Do check out the train operating schedule on JR Kyushu website: http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/trains/asoboy/
Panoramic view & switch back. The driver's seat normally occupies at the ends of a train. However, this norm is overthrown in this particular train. Instead the driver has taken a back seat (a separate compartment within the same carriage) to allow passengers occupying the front seats to have an obstruction free view throughout the train journey. The railway tracks are arranged in a zig-zag configuration at Tateno JR Station. After this station, the train operates in a switch back mode - first it will move backwards for a short distance then change direction to ascend a steeper gradient.
Playroom. One of the train carriages is designated as the kids playroom. There is pool filled with wooden balls and a cabin attendant stationed there to play with the kids. Discovered a small library corner where you can see the engrossed looks in some children as they browsed through the collection of books. One unique feature of this train is the "Kuro" seats found in this carriage as well. These seats are designed for an adult and a child to sit together i.e. a shorter backrest, lower headrest and higher leg rest for kids, and the child seat is always beside the window. Yet again, impressed by the thoughtful features of this train. With the lovable mascot, Kuro-chan, appearing in every corner of the train, you will find yourself or others exclaiming "kawai" and stopping to take photos while exploring different areas onboard this train.
Cafe, ekiben & souvenirs. Cafe is located in the same carriage as the playroom. Here, you can get snacks and drinks and purchase Kuro chan merchandise. Bought Kuro's Asomoko bento lunch (1,080 yen) which contains Aso's locally produced beef and rice, salad, fried egg, chicken karaage, potato wedges and a prune - felt like a well-balanced diet! The extensive array of merchanidse left us spoilt for choice - clear folders, collar pins, mugs, towels, badges, postcards, etc, and all of them imprinted with Kuro chan on them. Bought the collar pins and postcards to send back home.
Commemorative boarding pass & stamp. Don't forget to grab your commemorative boarding card and stamp on board the train. The inked stamp is placed at one corner in the playroom/cafe carriage.
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Video: Found this really good video featuring Aso Boy train and Mt Aso on Youtube. See how the switch back operation take place at Tateno JR Station.
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Boarding pass & commemorative stamp:
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| Arrival of Aso Boy! train at Kumamoto JR Station. |
Do check out the train operating schedule on JR Kyushu website: http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/trains/asoboy/
- Aso Boy 101 and 103: Kumamoto > Miyaji
- Aso Boy 102 and 104: Miyaji > Kumamoto
Who is Aso Boy? The train name "Aso boy" does not refer to a particular person. It actually comes from the phrase Asobuyo, which means "let's play". And indeed, as the name implies, various features of this train were designed to trigger that playful instinct in every passenger who board the train, regardless of age. Aso Boy train commutes along Hohi main line and be captivated by the surrounding rural landscape as the train cruises along the line. Alight at Tateno JR Station to transfer to Minami Aso Railway. Alight at Aso Station and continue your journey by bus to Mt Aso.
Who is Kuro chan? Kuro chan (full name is Aso Kuroemon) is a adorable black dog mascot created for Aso boy train. Most would have first caught sight of this mascot at Kumamoto JR Station, alongside the famous Kumamon. Kuro chan is spotted almost everywhere inside out the train. Follow the trails of Kuro chan as you uncover the various features of the train. There are 101 Kuro chan, in various poses (didn't count to verify this figure that was reported on JR Kyushu's website) spread all over the body of the train. His "kennel" is actually located in Aso JR Station, however it requires some luck to see him in person.
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| Kuro chan found everywhere in this train. |
Highlights:
Panoramic view & switch back. The driver's seat normally occupies at the ends of a train. However, this norm is overthrown in this particular train. Instead the driver has taken a back seat (a separate compartment within the same carriage) to allow passengers occupying the front seats to have an obstruction free view throughout the train journey. The railway tracks are arranged in a zig-zag configuration at Tateno JR Station. After this station, the train operates in a switch back mode - first it will move backwards for a short distance then change direction to ascend a steeper gradient.
Playroom. One of the train carriages is designated as the kids playroom. There is pool filled with wooden balls and a cabin attendant stationed there to play with the kids. Discovered a small library corner where you can see the engrossed looks in some children as they browsed through the collection of books. One unique feature of this train is the "Kuro" seats found in this carriage as well. These seats are designed for an adult and a child to sit together i.e. a shorter backrest, lower headrest and higher leg rest for kids, and the child seat is always beside the window. Yet again, impressed by the thoughtful features of this train. With the lovable mascot, Kuro-chan, appearing in every corner of the train, you will find yourself or others exclaiming "kawai" and stopping to take photos while exploring different areas onboard this train.
Cafe, ekiben & souvenirs. Cafe is located in the same carriage as the playroom. Here, you can get snacks and drinks and purchase Kuro chan merchandise. Bought Kuro's Asomoko bento lunch (1,080 yen) which contains Aso's locally produced beef and rice, salad, fried egg, chicken karaage, potato wedges and a prune - felt like a well-balanced diet! The extensive array of merchanidse left us spoilt for choice - clear folders, collar pins, mugs, towels, badges, postcards, etc, and all of them imprinted with Kuro chan on them. Bought the collar pins and postcards to send back home.
Commemorative boarding pass & stamp. Don't forget to grab your commemorative boarding card and stamp on board the train. The inked stamp is placed at one corner in the playroom/cafe carriage.
======
Video: Found this really good video featuring Aso Boy train and Mt Aso on Youtube. See how the switch back operation take place at Tateno JR Station.
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Boarding pass & commemorative stamp:
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