Kumamoto–Aso–Beppu Buses Return to a Full Schedule

What changed

The Kyushu Odan Bus has been running a reduced service after the Kumamoto earthquake. The operator now says all scheduled services will resume from September 1.

That restores a practical east–west route linking Kumamoto with Aso, Yufuin and Beppu without requiring travelers to route through northern Kyushu. The journey is still long, so treat it as a travel day rather than a quick transfer.

Why this matters

This is especially useful for travelers building an itinerary around Kumamoto, Mount Aso and the hot-spring towns of Yufuin or Beppu. It also gives travelers another option while some rail services elsewhere in southern Kyushu remain affected by earthquake recovery work.

Do not read “full timetable” as “every transport problem in Kyushu is over.” Check each train or bus separately, particularly if the bus connects with a flight or a reserved long-distance train.

Before you book

• Confirm the exact stop name; “Beppu,” “Yufuin,” and “Kumamoto” each have multiple transport points.
• Reserve the reservable section in advance, especially around weekends.
• Allow buffer time for road conditions and onward connections.
• Recheck the operator page on departure day.

If you are deciding how to move luggage on a multi-city route, read our Shinkansen luggage guide before locking in the rest of the trip.