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Rail service after flooding in Kyushu

wallywestway
wallywestway
over 11 years ago
5 responses

Hello, we are planning to buy a pass to travel in Japan and we will be travelling in Kyushu (Fukuoka, Kagoshima, Aso etc). Has the train service been affected by the weekend's floods? Many thanks

avatar
mari
1950 posts
over 11 years ago
Expert

Hi there,

There has been some disruption to the JR services in Kyushu because of the recent weather. Looking at your itinerary the only journey that may be affected is your trip via local lines to Aso. The Kyushu Shinkansen service is unaffected.

Here is a Google translation of the current press release from JR Kyushu on the state of the rail service on the island. It states the following lines as running a reduced service or out of action.

Aso station lies on the Hohihonsen line between Higoozu and Ogata and is currently not accesible by rail. JR is running a replacement bus service from Higoozu to Miyaji station, and will stop at stations en route, including Aso station.

Hope this helps!

wallywestway
wallywestway
5 posts
over 11 years ago

Thank you for the swift reply. Has JR advised when it expects the rail service to and from Aso will re-commence? We plan to visit Mnt Aso on 9th August and want to do the journey by train, bus is not ideal. thank you.

avatar
mari
1950 posts
over 11 years ago
Expert

Hi there,

Currently JR-Kyushu have not posted any estimates on when the line will be running again. The Hohihonsen is partially disabled due to flooding, erosion and some debris and so should be clear before the end of the month, but this will depend on the weather going forwards.

I recommend you regularly check the JR-Kyushu homepage (google translated) for the latest information on line closures. Current disruptions are listed on the google translate page as "Interruption of travel plans for the future by Hohihonsen-Hitahikosansen-Kyudaihonsen".

Hope this helps!

wallywestway
wallywestway
5 posts
over 11 years ago

Hello,
is there any news on when the line might re-open?

avatar
mari
1950 posts
over 11 years ago
Expert

Hi there,

The Hohihonsen is now open at HIgoozu until Tateno station which is 4 stops (15km) from Aso station. At this rate it is highly likely that the line will be open to Aso by the time you go on the 9th August, but please check back here and I will update for you. Certainly as a backup the replacement bus service will be running for the final 15km (approx. 20m bus journey), so you should not be impacted to severely.

Hope this helps!

wallywestway
wallywestway
5 posts
over 11 years ago

Mari, thank you.

Post Aso if we want to head back to Toykyo then I assume we would need to go back the same way towards Kagoshima?

avatar
mari
1950 posts
over 11 years ago
Expert

Hi there,

Yes, you'd go back on the hohihonsen line to Kumamoto and then board the Shinkansen back up to Tokyo changing at shin-Osaka.

Hope this helps!

Toraneko
Toraneko
1303 posts
almost 9 years ago

Please note also that Aso has been closed recently a lot due to higher poisonous gas emissions. Always confirm if the area is open before going there, or else you will be stopped 1km from the crater and can't see it.


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