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Kyushu’s Unique Themed Trains
Discover Japan’s Land of Fire and Volcanoes in Style
By JNTO on 24 May 2022
Kyushu has something for every type of traveller, because of its abundance of rugged scenery, natural hot springs and delicious local cuisines. Whether you are a solo traveller looking for adventure or a family going on a well-deserved trip, you will find something for you in Kyushu, also known as the “Land of Fire and Volcanoes”.
The wide variety of delightfully themed trains makes it easy to tour this magical island. In fact, here are three spectacular train journeys in Kyushu waiting to be explored in your future trips!
Hop on to the Charms of Old-World Japan With Aru Ressha
© Kyushu Railway Company 
© Kyushu Railway Company
Step back in time to a Gilded Age onboard the Aru Ressha, a luxury train dreamed to life by the late Nobutaro Hara, a famous railway enthusiast, and Eiji Mitooka, an industrial designer and director of Don Design Associates. The exterior of the train is wrapped in black and gold, artfully carrying an Arabesque design. Within the train cars, you will find soft, romantic hues and beautifully crafted fixtures made with warm wood like maple and walnut.
© Kyushu Railway Company 
© Kyushu Railway Company
The journey also includes a fine-dining culinary experience directed by internationally renowned chef Yoshihiro Narisawa to complement the nostalgic glamour of the Aru Ressha. Each dish is carefully selected to showcase the region’s best produce and uses only seasonal ingredients from Kyushu. Even the dinnerware used onboard the Aru Ressha is specially made by craftworkers from Kyushu.
Hakata Station ©Kyushu Railway Company
Yufuin Station ©Kyushu Railway Company
Boarding starts at Hakata Station, which is the gateway to different parts of Kyushu, and alighting at Yufuin Station will bring you to the picturesque town of Yufuin, perfect for relaxing strolls through traditional streets and exploring the various art museums and boutiques. After a day of shopping, ease your tired muscles in an onsen at one of the many ryokans spread out around town.
Aru Ressha
Website: JRKYUSHU | JRKYUSHU SWEET TRAIN "ARU RESSHA"
Rediscover Childlike Wonder Onboard the Whimsical ASO BOY!
© Kyushu Railway Company
This journey takes you from Beppu, a city and spa resort in Oita Prefecture, all the way to Kumamoto, the capital city of Kumamoto Prefecture. Along the way, you can make a stop at Aso, home to Mount Aso, the largest active volcano in Japan.
©Kyushu Railway Company 
©Kyushu Railway Company
This family-friendly train experience is dedicated to Kuro, the train’s dog mascot, with the exterior train covered with adorable motifs of Kuro. Inside the train, you will find Kuro cafe and children’s playroom in Car 3.
©Kyushu Railway Company 
©Kyushu Railway Company
The Kuro Bento is a colourful lunch box covered with Kuro motif curated for children and packed with delicious Oita toriten (tempura chicken), Akaushi-beef soboro (ground beef) and Aso takana (Japanese mustard greens). Other than bento, another delectable cuisine on board is the Akaushi menchi-katsu sando, a minced beef cutlet sandwich packed with a thick layer of beef. For a sweet treat, try the Aso Oguni Jersey ice cream made with Jersey milk from Aso or the silky-smooth custard pudding, with the option to add rum.
As a bonus, all passengers are gifted with a special commemorative card to remember this unique locomotive experience.
©Kyushu Railway Company 
Komezuka, Mount Aso
When you arrive at Aso station, visit the station master's office, where Aso Boy! mascot Kuro-chan is. Then head to the surrounding Aso-Kuju National Park that is teeming with spectacular views and ample opportunities for hiking and trekking. You can also go horseback riding in the wide grassland from March to November.
ASO BOY!
Website: ASO BOY!｜JR KYUSHU RAILWAY COMPANY
Delve into the Food and Culture of Chikugo Onboard the Rail Kitchen Chikugo
Eat your way through the Chikugo region onboard this food-themed train. Apart from lunch and dinner service, the train also offers a cafe course between Fukuoka Tenjin and Dazaifu stations. The lunch course runs between Fukuoka Tenjin and Omuta while the dinner course is a round-trip that starts and ends at Fukuoka Tenjin.
The unique train has three dining cars replete with a kitchen and built-in pizza oven and takes you through the bucolic backcountry of Fukuoka Tenjin and Omuta stations while you savour a scrumptious spread made with ingredients sourced locally in Fukuoka Prefecture. You can look forward to indulging in Hakata beef, Oki Town’s eryngii mushrooms and strawberries from Kurume while onboard. Add in freshly baked pizza topped with seasonal vegetables to complete the gourmet experience. The menu changes seasonally, once every three months.
Other than the cuisine, take time to admire the elegant interiors of the train, designed using traditional crafts sourced from along the railroad line such as the bamboo knit ceiling made from Yame bamboo, the roof tiles made from Jojima oxidised silver, as well as the exquisitely crafted Okawa furniture.
If you are taking the cafe course, hop off at Dazaifu station to explore Dazaifu City which is known as Kyushu’s ancient administrative capital during the 7th century.
For the lunch service, you will alight at Omuta station, nearby a former coal-mining centre that was open from the end of the 18th century to the 1990s, where you can still see remnants of this coal-mining landmark.
The Rail Kitchen Chikugo
Website: THE RAIL KITCHEN CHIKUGO
Besides bringing you to the many wonderful places in Kyushu, by hopping on these themed train, you may also discover that some journeys are just as wonderful as the destinations!
