Aso Boy Trains あそぼーい!

Design trains are trains in Japan with rather typical exteriors but with specially designed interiors. These trains can be found all over Japan, but Kyushu is undoubtedly home to the largest number of these trains.

Since 2011, the limited express train Aso Boy has been running, as its name implies, to and from Mount Aso, the huge volcano in the middle of the island.

Its normal route runs from Kumamoto city to Miyaji, and it operates on weekends and public holidays. However, during the Kumamoto earthquake in 2016, the line was badly damaged and served Beppu and the city of Oita all the way to Aso.

But since 2020, the line has been fully repaired and has resumed its usual route.

The train's mascot is a little black dog named Kuro, and the exterior of the train features over 100 illustrations of Kuro in various poses. Of course, his motif can be found all over the interior as well!

Each end of the four-car train is an observation car with panoramic windows for enjoying the view.

There are ordinary seats, but also several semi-open compartments with four seats sharing a table.

There's also a lounge with a large sofa and window-facing bench seats.

A unique car is the Kuro, designed for children and families. The seating arrangement is unique, with pairs of seats, one for an adult and one for a child. The child's seat is always a window seat.

In addition, there's a play area with staff to supervise the children, a small library corner with children's books, some with Kuro stories, and a café selling snacks as well as merchandise. A "swimming pool" filled with wooden balls is also available for children.

For details and full opening times, see www.jrkyushu.co.jp/english/train/asoboy.html