Hello everybody, how are you doing?
This is Kana from Michi no Eki Aso.
It is getting warmer here in Aso! But it is still around 27 ℃ (80.5℉), not so bad.
I almost miss the REAL summer…?! Well, it is not true.
Whenever I go down the hill to go to city in summer, I cannot stop myself saying this sentence.
”Aww, I want to go back to Aso, right now! ”
By the way, do you know the altitude of Aso?
Let’s see…the altitude of JR Aso station (which is right next of us) is 521m /1709 feet.
At the center of Kumamoto city, it is about 13 m/42 feet.
Temperature goes down by 0.6℃ for each 100 meter above the sea level, so Aso is always 3 degrees cooler than Kumamoto city. ( by 5.5℉！)
No wonder I miss home so bad in summer :）
So, if you would like to escape from heat, there are several ways to come to Aso.
Today, I would like to share the information about the express bus.
”Yamabiko-go”, which connects Kumamoto and Oita had been out of service for a while because of covid-19.
From July 22nd (thu/holiday), they will start the service again. Yamabiko route is very convenient as they stop at JR Kumamoto station and Aso Kumamoto airport as well.
There is another express bus called “Kyusyu-Oodan bus”.
This route was originally from JR Kumamoto station to Beppu,Oita.
But for now, it will be only between JR Kumamoto station and Kurokawa onsen via Aso Kumamoto airport, JR Aso station.
Anyway,both of them are very convenient to come to Aso,or go to Kumamoto from Aso.
Estimated time from or to JR Aso station
to or from Aso Kumamoto airport : approx. 50min
to or from Sakuramachi bus terminal (Kumamoto castle)
:approx. 100min
to or from JR Kumamoto station: approx. 110min
( It takes longer sometimes due to bad traffic)
You can start booking a seat one month ahead through Kyushu Bus booking.
Yamabiko-go | Kyushu Bus Booking
Kyushu Odan Bus – Kurokawa / Yufuin /Beppu | Kyushu Bus Booking
Basically, you need to book a seat ahead to take these express buses, so please be careful.
If there are some seats left, you can still book a seat on the day.
There is a ticket counter operated by Sanko bus company beside Aso station as well.
*please note that it might be suspended again if the covid-19 warning level rises in Kumamoto pref.
We are always happy to help you to make your trip to Aso more comfortable and impressive😊
Looking forward to seeing you in Aso, someday!
Kana
