Michi-no-Eki Aso | Review by 一個漸漸喜歡上慢旅的人

I stayed at Fairfield by Marriott Kumamoto Aso during the fall off-season and had an incredibly impressive experience. The hotel is right next to Aso Station, and there is plenty of convenient parking for those arriving by car. The location is excellent.

Although there is no restaurant in the hotel, it’s just a short walk to the nearby Michi-no-Eki, where you can buy a wide variety of local specialties, prepared foods, and boxed meals to enjoy in your room. The guest rooms are much more spacious than those at typical Japanese hotels, with a comfortable sofa and side table that make dining very comfortable. Open the curtains, and the magnificent Aso mountain range and expansive countryside are right before your eyes. The first-floor lobby is filled with a warm woody aroma and thoughtfully offers complimentary hot coffee and a relaxing seating area. It’s a stylish and functional place to stay, and the off-season experience was truly wonderful.

If you're fascinated by unique trains like I am, then when visiting Kyushu, the kingdom of railways, a JR KYUSHU RAIL PASS is definitely the best key to unlocking a dream trip. Since I wanted to ride all of Kyushu's unique sightseeing trains on this trip, getting the All Kyushu pass turned out to be the best-value decision of the journey.

Each of Kyushu's unique trains (D&S sightseeing trains) has a one-of-a-kind spirit. On this trip to Aso, I took the Aso Boy! on the way there, covered in playful dog illustrations; on the return trip, I switched to the Kawasemi Yamasemi, with its elegant, understated wooden interior designed for adults. From Hakata to Saga, I briefly experienced the luxurious 36+3, whose refined private tatami rooms and Japanese craftsmanship felt truly prestigious. On the way to Amakusa, I boarded the retro, jazz-themed A-TRAIN and enjoyed a specialty cocktail, which made the ride slightly tipsy and romantic.

The most unforgettable of all was the Two Stars 4047 racing along the Ariake Sea. Its white cars reflected against the clear sky and ocean scenery, looking like a dream. On the way to Yufuin, the green Yufuin no Mori is another classic that shouldn't be missed. These unique trains not only offer exclusive local meals and commemorative postcards you can stamp, but also limited-edition souvenirs to collect.

Finally, here's my practical advice: After booking in Taiwan, if you want to avoid the one- or two-hour lines often found at major stations like Hakata or Kumamoto, consider exchanging your pass at a Midori-no-Madoguchi ticket office in a less crowded small or medium-sized station along your itinerary. It can save valuable time. I recommend visiting Kyushu and fully experiencing a journey on its unique trains.

This was a special train journey from Kumamoto to Aso aboard the playful Aso Boy! train. Along the way, the scenery outside the windows changed from city streets to magnificent mountains. After arriving at Aso Station, a bus takes you to Aso Shrine, which has a history spanning more than a thousand years.

Although the shrine was severely damaged in the 2016 Kumamoto earthquakes and is still undergoing a long and meticulous reconstruction process, none of its sacredness or dignity has diminished. Standing in the spacious shrine grounds and quietly looking up at the restored beams and rustic shrine buildings, you can deeply feel the pulse of the earth and the resilience of faith.

After visiting the shrine, I strolled over to the nearby Monzenmachi shopping street. Tucked away farther down the road is an artsy hidden spot—the site of a former girls' school. This quiet cluster of old wooden buildings sees few tour groups and is home to places such as Kitakaze Shoten, which sells charming lifestyle goods. During our conversation, the adorable owner mentioned that they would be exhibiting in Taiwan soon. There is also an antique shop filled with old objects bearing the marks of time, as well as a small local café with the enticing aroma of baked goods. It's a treasured corner that travelers who love exploring Japan's simple everyday life shouldn't miss.

Thinking back on that trip to Aso two years ago, I took the Aso Boy! on the way there and was fortunate enough to ride the calm and elegant Kawasemi Yamasemi sightseeing train on the way back. The greenery outside the windows and the wooden interior came together to create an exceptional riding experience. The dreamlike encounter with these two special trains and the warm, unpretentious people of Aso remain deeply etched in my mind. I sincerely hope that this beautiful land can once again overcome the trials of natural disasters and soon regain the vibrant prosperity it once had.