Kawasemi-Yamasemi Kingfisher Sightseeing Train かわせみ・やませみ
Kawasemi Yamasemi JLM
The Kawasemi-Yamasemi, Kingfisher Sightseeing Train entered service in 2017 and runs between Kumamoto and Hitoyoshi in Kyushu.
Kyushu from valley to volcano
The Kawasemi Yamasemi Limited Express tourist train entered service in 2017 to run between Kumamoto and Hitoyoshi, in the Kuma River valley. But in July 2020, torrential rains created catastrophic floods that washed away kilometers of the line.
The end of the adventure? No, JR Kyushu decided to relocate the Kawasemi-Yamasemi to another line, still departing from Kumamoto. It would be on the Hohi Line, which leads to Aso Station, near the large active volcano, with a terminus a few kilometers further on at Miyaji, for a total of some 50 kilometers.
Kawasemi-Yamasemi?
The name of the train is based on two species of kingfisher, Kawasemi translating as “river kingfisher” and Yamasemi as “mountain kingfisher”, although in English their names are Common Kingfisher and Crested Kingfisher, respectively.
That's why you'll see the image of these two birds everywhere on the train, on the beautiful exterior livery - a blue car like the rivers and a dark English green like the forests - and then in the interior design.
The unique, elegant interiors feature lots of wood, mainly locally sourced cypress and Japanese cedar. Ceilings are decorated with a foliage motif. The fabrics of the seats, single or double armchairs, or banquettes, are made of patchwork with colorful motifs from the forest of the four seasons.
The interiors were designed by Eiji Mitooka, who has produced other special trains for JR Kyushu, including the luxurious Seven Stars in Kyushu, the Sonic and the Yufuin no Mori.
Local gourmet and comfort
You can choose between ordinary reclining seats, semi-compartments with tables, as well as counter seats facing the windows to enjoy the views, which are magnificent all along the line, especially when the train arrives near the Aso caldera.
The train makes two switchbacks on the Hohi line.
On board the train, service at the counter or with a hostess who passes by to offer you a local Aso Beer, Kyushu's traditional shochu liquor, ice cream made with milk from the region's cows, or a delicious little hot sandwich of curried Aso forest game, with the grilled footprint of a kingfisher on top!
Fares & travel
With a Japan Rail Pass, boarding the Kingfisher train is free, but you still have to reserve your seat on board. You can't just hop on at the last minute without making a reservation, as is the case with all these special tourist trains throughout Japan.
If you don't have a JRPass, you'll have to pay 1130yen for the journey and 2030yen for the mandatory seat reservation.
The Kawasemi-Yamasemi departs Kumamoto at 10:32 a.m., 12:04 p.m. to Aso and terminates at Miyaji at 12:09 p.m..
Return: 3.47pm Miyaji, 3.52pm Aso, 5.08pm Kumamoto.
It runs every weekend throughout the year, then every day in summer from July 20 to the end of August.
Hitoyoshi Station, Kumamoto Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan
@Japan Visitor
Aso & Miyaji
The Yamasemi-Kawasemi takes you to Aso and its famous Naka-dake active volcano in the large caldera. It's once again possible to climb up to the crater rim, but beware: if there's an eruption alert, everyone goes down, and climbing is forbidden. Depending on the intensity of an eruption, everything can be interrupted for a long time before returning to normal.
From Aso station, you can choose from a wide range of activities, such as bike rides, horseback riding, paragliding from the volcanic peaks, or even a ride in a hot-air balloon to appreciate the majestic beauty of this unique site. And let's not forget the many ryokans for absolute relaxation and their onsens with the sulfur-rich waters of Aso, of course.
