Aso Boy

The Aso Boy (あそぼーい！) is a limited express train service in Kyushu, Japan, operated by Kyushu Railway Company (JR Kyushu) since June 2011. The train normally runs between Kumamoto and Miyaji via Aso on the Hōhi Main Line.

Service pattern and station stops
Services normally operate on weekends, Public holidays, and additional days, such as school holidays, with two return workings (Aso Boy 101, 102, 103, 104) per day. The 53 km journey between Kumamoto and Miyaji takes approximately 1 hour 30 minutes.

Services stop at the following stations.

Kumamoto - Shin-Suizenji - Suizenji - Higo-Ōzu - Tateno - Akamizu - Aso - Miyaji

On certain dates in October to December 2011, the Aso Boy 101 and 104 services were extended to run between Hakata and Kumamoto as part of a destination campaign targeting Kumamoto, Miyazaki, and Kagoshima.

Rolling stock
The train is formed of specially modified 4-car KiHa 183-1000 diesel multiple unit set converted from the former Yufu DX trainset.

Formation
The train is formed as follows, with car 1 at the Miyaji end, and car 4 at the Kumamoto end.

Interior
All cars are no-smoking.

History
The Aso Boy service was introduced on 4 June 2011.