After exploring Beppu Station and getting to know the legendary Aburaya Kumahachi, it was time to return to the platform for the journey I had been looking forward to since the beginning. On the departure board, the name ASO BOY! appeared in letters that felt much more cheerful than the other trains. This train would take me out of the hot spring city, piercing through the heart of rural Kyushu, toward Mount Aso.
As it pulled into the platform, the ASO BOY! was already waiting. Bold and sturdy, its black-and-white color scheme stood in sharp contrast to the platform, making it look like a special guest among the more uniform trains.
There were about ten minutes left before departure. Many passengers took this time to snap photos—posing against the carriages or the iconic little dog mascot named Kuro. This mascot is what makes the train a favorite for both children and adults. It’s no wonder that getting a ticket for the ASO BOY!, especially for a last-minute trip, feels like winning the lottery.
Its appearance is charming, almost like a toy scaled up to life-size. Kuro smiles from the train’s body—not a forced smile, but one that seems to invite you: come along, there’s no need to rush this journey. Just enjoy.
A Warm Atmosphere Inside
The moment I stepped into the carriage, the atmosphere shifted. The world inside felt warmer. Clean, soft-colored seats were neatly arranged. Red checkered fabric seats paired with cream headrests gave an impression of both tidiness and friendliness. Yellow curtains with small character motifs—typical of Japanese sightseeing trains—were drawn halfway, letting the soft afternoon light stream through the large windows on the right side.
Before long, the train departed. Beppu slowly faded away, replaced by the serene landscape of Oita: low houses, small fields, and the occasional river reflecting the midday sun. Inside the carriage, there was no hustle and bustle. Children laughed softly, and adults spoke in hushed tones. The ASO BOY! isn’t a train that asks us to arrive quickly; it invites us to be “present.”
Design and Family-Friendly Features
The ASO BOY! is part of JR Kyushu’s Design & Story (D&S) Train series. The train consists of only four carriages, but each has its own character, thanks to the touch of the renowned designer, Eiji Mitooka.
- Carriage One: Features a two-one seating configuration with large windows that provide a panoramic view of the front and sides.
- Carriage Three (Family & Kids Space): Known as Kuro-shitsu. This is home to the White “Kuro” Seats, white chairs designed so that children always have a window seat when sitting with an adult. There is also a play area with a wooden ball pool, a mini-library, and the Kuro Cafe selling various snacks.
- Carriage Four: Features long sofas and benches facing the windows, the perfect place to relax while soaking in the panorama.
At the Kuro Cafe, I made sure to grab a free postcard featuring the ASO BOY!. My collection of D&S train postcards is growing: A Train, Yufuin no Mori, and now, the ASO BOY!.
Approaching Aso
The train rolled through station after station: Oita, Bungo-Taketa, then Miyaji. Outside, the rice fields began to fade in color, hills rolled up and down, and the Kyushu sky slowly transformed. Time moved unnoticed. The light turned golden, and shadows lengthened across the fields and slopes.
As we neared Aso, the sky grew dim. In the distance, Mount Aso appeared gradually—faint yet firm. It wasn’t a dramatic sight full of surprises, but a beauty that arrived in the silence of twilight. As the train slowed down approaching Aso Station, night was falling, and the station lights flickered on one by one.
I stepped off with a feeling that is hard to explain. It wasn’t just the feeling of “having arrived,” but the feeling of having been invited to walk along. From Beppu to Aso, this wasn’t just a change of location, but a change of mood. The ASO BOY! didn’t bring me there fast—it brought me “home,” to somewhere I couldn’t quite name, but it felt exactly right.
At Aso Station, we only stopped for a moment. The journey was still long. Fifteen minutes later, the regional train to Kumamoto arrived.
