There are two round trips per day. For this trip, I boarded Isaburo 3 which departs from Hitoyoshi JR Station at 1321 hrs and arrived at Yoshimatsu JR Station at 1447 hrs. This is one of the 3 sightseeing trains that I took to travel from Kumamoto to Kagoshima.
Do check out the train operating schedule on JR Kyushu website: http://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/trains/isaburou_shinpei/
- Isaburo 1 and 3: Hitoyoshi > Yoshimatsu
- Shinpei 2 and 4: Yoshimatsu > Hitoyoshi
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Charm. Hisatsu line (肥薩線) runs through three prefectures - Kumamoto, Miyazaki and Kagoshima and has been around for more than a century. Despite full commissioning of Kyushu Shinkansen (Hakata to Kagoshima) in 2011, Hisatsu line continues to be in operation to serve the remote areas. Introduction of sightseeing trains (SL Hitoyoshi, Isaburou/Shinpei and Hayato no kaze) has instead, attracted many visitors to embark on a longer journey between Kumamoto and Kagoshima. In an era where efficiency is of utmost importance, hopping onto such local train is one form of escapism for city dwellers, to enjoy a slower pace of life.
Between Hitoyoshi and Yoshimatsu, the train makes a brief stop (5 to 10 mins) at all intermediate railway stations.
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| Bottom right: Look how high the train has ascended to after Okoba JR Station. |
- Okoba JR Station (大畑駅). Many will make their way into the unmanned train station to pin their business card onto the wall. This is deemed as an action to acquire good luck.
- Experienced the one and only loop line & switch back mode of operation in Japan after Okoba JR Station. The train will make switch back and cruise along a loop line to ascend a steeper gradient. After the train has overcome the elevation, do look out and down from the train windows to discover how high the train has ascended from Okoba JR Station.
- Yatake JR Station (矢岳駅). A D51 steam locomotive is put on display in a warehouse just beside the train station. This model of steam locomotive was first introduced in 1923 and almost all have retired from service. The only one that is still in operation (on special occasions) can be found in Gumma prefecture. (D51 498 owned by JR East: https://www.jreast.co.jp/railway/joyful/d51.html)
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| View overlooking Kirishima mountain range & Ebino Plateau is voted as one of top 3 in Japan. |
- Moment that all passengers looked forward to on board this train. After Yatake JR Station, do pay attention to the announcement made and find a good window seat on the left side of the train. Look out of the window as the train reduces its speed of travel and the scenery that appears right in front of your eyes is voted as one of top three best train views in Japan. On a good and clear day, a picturesque view of Kirishima Mountains and Ebino Plateau can be captured through the window frame.
- Masaki JR Station (真幸駅). This is the only train station along Hisatsu line that is located in Miyazaki prefecture. What makes this train station special is its auspicious name "真幸" which means true happiness. Most passengers will alight and rush to sound this bell that is located on the platform, deemed as an act to wish for true happiness, analogous to its name. After this station, the train will perform a switch back operation again and make its way to the last station of this journey - Yoshimatsu JR Station.
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Video: Scroll to 41:20 for 遇约九州's feature on Isaburo/Shinpei.
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Commemorative boarding pass & stamp:
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| Okoba JR Station |
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| Yatake JR Station |
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| Masaki JR Station |
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