Tourist Train & Shinkansen Experience
Excited about a full day of sightseeing and enjoying some of the best of Kagoshima, I began my trip across Kyushu at Hakata Station at 8:00 am. Not early at all, considering the length of the journey ahead. Lasting just one hour and thirty-five minutes, the 256.8-kilometer ride south to Kagoshima-Chuo Station on the Kyushu Shinkansen is as smooth as silk. Since 2011, sleek high-speed bullet trains have been making the entire North-South journey at up to 260 km/h (160 mph.) Thanks to the most recent extension of the JR West Japan bullet train, visiting Kagoshima for the day is now a reasonable option.
Comfortable, wide reclining seats offer plenty of legroom so you can truly relax. I was seated by a window, so I could plug in and power my phone. It’s a good idea to get reserved seats as this is a popular route, especially with tourists from Asia who delight in taking photos along the way. The train goes through a succession of tunnels as it zips its way down to Kagoshima, the southernmost main city on Kyushu Island but you can still occasionally get a glimpse of the mist-shrouded countryside through the large windows. There’s no worry about missing your stop if you’re on this train, as Kagoshima is the final stop, the southernmost terminus on this route. No matter how many times I ride the bullet train in Japan, I’m always impressed with how comfortable and hassle-free the trip is, especially compared to modern air travel with its mandatory baggage checks and security precautions.
Ibusuku-no-Tamatebako train
Heading to Ibusuki, I transferred from the Kyushu Shinkansen to the slower-moving (60 mph) “Tamatebako” train. It’s just a walk down a short flight of stairs. This train is timed with the bullet train arrival so I didn’t have to hurry to make my connection. The Ibusuki Tamatebako train makes 3 round-trips daily between Kagoshima-Chuo Station and Ibusuki Station. This richly-appointed vintage 3-car diesel train features a beautifully ornate, wooden interior with wooden floors and seats. Both sides offer something special to look at. The east-side seats face large windows, so one can directly peer out without twisting and turning. As you zip past Kagoshima Bay, enjoy unobstructed views of the water. The land-facing side has a huge piece of furniture built into the wall that might be suitable for your living room with beautiful wooden shelves, pictures, and even some books. In just 51 minutes, Tamatebako arrives at Ibusuki Station and receives a warm welcome from the flag-waving happi-clad Welcome Committee. The day I took the train, it was warm and sunny, with Hawaiian music playing on the station’s loudspeakers. Flowers were blooming around the station. It was almost like landing on a tropical island in the South Pacific.
