2 weeks in Kyushu with the Japan rail pass. Part 3 of 6: Day 8 Kumamoto to Kagoshima by sightseeing trains
Day 8: A great sightseeing train journey from Kumamoto to Kagoshima
Today we are heading to Kagoshima. With shinkansen, Kagoshima can be reached from Kumamoto in less than an hour, but we decided to take 3 sightseeing trains and have a day of train journeys. All trains have short stops at really cute retro looking stations and offer plenty photo opportunities. You will be busy all day hopping off and on the train, buying souvenirs, eating station bento, being amazed by fantastic landscapes etc… I absolutely recommend traveling between Kumamoto and Kagoshima this way.
First up was SL Hitoyoshi. The nostalgic locomotive left Kumamoto at 9:45 to our next station Hitoyoshi (arriving at 12:09). We enjoyed SL Hitoyoshi’s beautiful interior, the sounds and smoke of a steam, shochu ice cream and obviously the wonderful views from the train.
There were about 5 stops during this journey one of which was Isshochi (literal translation will be ‘one-win-place’) station where visitors can buy a lucky charm ticket for ¥160.
At Hitoyoshi station, we bought ekiben bento boxes from the famous bento seller Mr. Shobu. Mr. Shobu sells bento in an old fashioned way, now rarely seen in Japan. He has been selling bento for 50 years at Hitoyoshi station.
Hitoyoshi is famous for chestnuts bento and ayu (sweetfish) sushi bento and we bought one of each. They were both really delicious!
At 13:22, we took train number 2 from Hitoyoshi, called Isaburo. Isaburo is a mountain climbing train which performs an interesting zig-zag and roundabout movement.
The train stops for up to 10minutes at each station and the passengers can go out to take a quick look around and take photos.
Isaburo arrived at its final stop Yoshimatsu at 14:48. We took our 3rd and final train Hayato-no-kaze from the opposite platform at 15:01.
Like with the previous two trains, we enjoyed a short stop at each station. There was no time to rest on this train journey! The train runs alongside Kinko bay and the view of sakurajima was just wonderful.
At 16:44, we arrived at Kagoshima-chuo station. We checked in at our airbnb which was in walking distance from the station.
We then had a short evening stroll, bought some food from a supermarket and called it a day.
JR pass can be used for all 3 special trains. Just make sure to reserve your seat as early as you can, specially for the SL Hitoyoshi. These trains do not have any designated spaces for suitcases. My advise is to go into the train as soon as the door opens and secure the spot for your large bags.
From left to right: SL Hitoyoshi, Isaburo, Hayato-no-kaze.
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