Kumamoto and Aso stations are connected by local trains (100 minutes, 1130 yen one way, almost every hour) and limited express trains (70 minutes, around 2000 yen one way, every two hours) along the JR Hohi Line. All trains are covered by the Japan Rail Pass and the Kyushu Rail Pass (All Kyushu and Northern Kyushu versions).
By bus
Two types of buses ("Yamabiko" services and "Kyushu Odan" services) travel from Kumamoto (stopping at Kumamoto Station, the Sakuramachi Bus Terminal and the airport) to Aso Station before continuing on across Kyushu to Oita and Beppu respectively. The one way trip between Kumamoto Station and Aso Station takes around two hours, costs 1530 yen and is covered by the Sun Q Pass. "Yamabiko" buses operate once every 1-3 hours, while "Kyushu Odan" buses operate only twice per day. Reservations for the "Kyushu Odan" buses can be made online.
JAL, ANA, Skymark, Solaseed Air and Jetstar Japan operate frequent flights between Tokyo and Kumamoto. All airlines fly out of Haneda Airport except Jetstar which uses Narita Airport. Flight duration is about 100 minutes. The regular one way fares by JAL and ANA are around 41,000 yen, but discount tickets are usually available for between 13,000 and 24,000 yen. The fares by Solaseed Air are roughly 10 percent lower than the ones of JAL and ANA, while the fares by Skymark and Jetstar are even cheaper.
Kumamoto Airport is located a 50 minute bus ride from Aso Station. The one way fare is 1220 yen. Alternatively, many rental car outlets are located at Kumamoto Airport.
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How to travel between Aso and Beppu
By Kyusanko Kyushu Odan Bus
The Kyushu Odan Bus by Kyusanko travels from Beppu to Aso Station before continuing to Kumamoto. The one way journey between Beppu and Aso Station takes about 3.5 hours, cost 3500 yen and is covered by the Sun Q Pass. Click here for timetables and online reservations.
By train
The one way journey between Beppu and Aso via the JR Hohi Line takes around two hours and costs about 3500 yen by limited express train or takes about 3.5 hours and costs 2170 yen by local trains. All the trains are covered by the Japan Rail Pass and Kyushu Rail Pass.
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How to travel between Aso and Kurokawa
By Kyusanko Kyushu Odan Bus
The Kyushu Odan Bus travels between Kumamoto and Beppu, stopping at Aso Station and Kurokawa Onsen along the way. The one way journey between Aso Station and Kurokawa takes 50 minutes, costs 1200 yen and is covered by the Sun Q Pass. Click here for timetables and online reservations.
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How to travel between Aso and Yufuin
By Kyusanko Kyushu Odan Bus
The Kyushu Odan Bus by Kyusanko travels from Yufuin to Aso Station before continuing to Kumamoto. The one way journey between Yufuin and Aso takes about 2.5 hours, cost 3000 yen and is covered by the Sun Q Pass. Click here for timetables and online reservations.
By train
Train travel between Yufuin and Aso leads via Oita: take a train from Yufuin to Oita Station (one hour, 1-2 trains per hour) and then the Kyushu Odan Express limited express train to Aso (about 2 hours, a few trains per day). The entire one way trip takes around 3.5 hours and costs about 4000 yen. Alternatively, the journey by local trains takes about 4.5 hours, costs 2860 yen and requires multiple transfers along the way. All the trains are fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
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How to travel between Aso and Takachiho
By bus
Buses operating between Kumamoto and Nobeoka, stop near Takamori Station ("Takamori Chuo" bus stop) at the southern base of Mount Aso and Takachiho Bus Center along the way. The one way trip between Takamori and Takachiho takes one hour and costs 1340 yen one way. There are two buses per day, operated by Kyushu Sanko Bus and Miyazaki Kotsu (Miyakoh).
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How to travel between Aso and Kumamoto
By train
Kumamoto and Aso stations are connected by local trains (100 minutes, 1130 yen one way, almost every hour) and limited express trains (70 minutes, around 2000 yen one way, every two hours) along the JR Hohi Line. All trains are covered by the Japan Rail Pass and the Kyushu Rail Pass (All Kyushu and Northern Kyushu versions).
By bus
Two types of buses ("Yamabiko" services and "Kyushu Odan" services) travel from Kumamoto (stopping at Kumamoto Station, the Sakuramachi Bus Terminal and the airport) to Aso Station before continuing on across Kyushu to Oita and Beppu respectively. The one way trip between Kumamoto Station and Aso Station takes around two hours, costs 1530 yen and is covered by the Sun Q Pass. "Yamabiko" buses operate once every 1-3 hours, while "Kyushu Odan" buses operate only twice per day. Reservations for the "Kyushu Odan" buses can be made online.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. For the current yen exchange rate, click here.
Getting around
A rental car is the recommended means of transportation in the Aso area. Although most tourist sites are served by public transportation, the trains and buses are not very frequent, and a rental car provides considerably more flexibility and comfort. Many rental car outlets are located in Kumamoto City and at Kumamoto Airport, but only a few can be found in the Aso area.
The transportation hub in Aso is Aso Station on the JR Hohi Line, which runs across Kyushu between Kumamoto and Oita. Buses run between Aso Station and the peak of Mount Aso. The Minami Aso Railway is for the most part only useful for travelers who plan on continuing to Takachiho, as there is a bus connection to Takachiho from around Takamori Station.