Hisatsu Line Train Schedule Resumes June 28, 2026 — JR Kyushu Official Update
Hisatsu Line (Yoshimatsu–Hayato Section) to Resume Service on June 28, 2026
Published: May 27, 2026 | Region: Kyushu | Category: Rail News
- The Hisatsu Line train schedule resumes June 28, 2026 on the Yoshimatsu–Hayato section.
- Suspension began August 7, 2025 after severe rain damage — nearly 11 months of closure.
- Replacement bus service ends June 26, 2026; no service confirmed for June 27.
- Timetable is largely unchanged from pre-disaster; select trains extended to Kokubu Station.
- The Yatsushiro–Yoshimatsu section remains closed (suspended since July 2020).
After nearly eleven months of suspension, the Hisatsu Line train schedule is set to return: JR Kyushu has confirmed that train operations between Yoshimatsu Station and Hayato Station will resume on June 28, 2026, starting from the first train of the day. The 37.4-kilometer stretch has been closed since August 7, 2025, following a devastating heavy rain event, with replacement bus services filling the gap for local communities and travelers across southern Kyushu.
The official announcement was published by JR Kyushu on May 27, 2026, at 05:38 UTC. Restoration work is nearing completion, and the operator has confirmed that the post-resumption timetable will largely mirror the pre-disaster schedule. Travelers should note, however, that the Yatsushiro–Yoshimatsu section of the same line remains closed due to separate flood damage from July 2020 — meaning the full Hisatsu Line is not yet operational end-to-end.
This article breaks down the announcement, the affected services, and everything you need to plan your journey on the Hisatsu Line from late June 2026 onward.
Hisatsu Line Train Schedule: What Changed and When
Background — The August 2025 Heavy Rain Disaster
In early August 2025, a severe rain event — referred to in the official notice as the "2025年8月豪雨" (August 2025 Heavy Rain) — caused significant damage to infrastructure along the Hisatsu Line in the Kagoshima and Miyazaki prefecture border region of southern Kyushu. JR Kyushu suspended all train services on the Yoshimatsu–Hayato section effective August 7, 2025.
The source notice does not detail the specific nature of the damage — whether it involved landslides, track washouts, bridge failures, or a combination. That said, before-and-after photographs referenced in the original PDF (showing conditions in August 2025 versus restoration progress as of May 25, 2026) make clear the damage required close to a full year of reconstruction.
Restoration Timeline and Completion
According to the official notice, restoration work ("復旧工事") has reached a stage where a firm resumption date could be set. JR Kyushu states that the completion of repair work is now in sight and that the operator has been working "with full effort" ("全力で進めてまいります") to bring the line back online.
The full timeline from suspension to resumption is:
- August 7, 2025: Train operations suspended on the Yoshimatsu–Hayato section
- August 2025 – May 2026: Replacement bus services operated; restoration work underway
- May 27, 2026: JR Kyushu publishes official notice confirming resumption date
- June 26, 2026 (Friday): Final day of replacement bus service
- June 28, 2026 (Sunday): Hisatsu Line train schedule resumes from the first train of the day
Note the two-day gap between the end of bus replacement services (June 26) and the resumption of train services (June 28). The official notice does not specify whether alternative transportation will be available on June 27. If you are traveling on that date, verify your options directly with JR Kyushu before booking.
What Does the Resumed Hisatsu Line Train Schedule Look Like?
Key Operational Details at a Glance
The table below summarizes the confirmed operational details from the JR Kyushu official notice. Use this as your quick reference when planning travel on the Hisatsu Line in 2026.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Line | Hisatsu Line (肥薩線) |
| Section Reopening | Yoshimatsu Station (吉松駅) – Hayato Station (隼人駅) |
| Distance | 37.4 km |
| Suspension Start | August 7, 2025 |
| Resumption Date | June 28, 2026 (Sunday), from the first train |
| Duration of Suspension | Approximately 10 months and 3 weeks |
| Last Bus Replacement Day | June 26, 2026 (Friday) |
| Section Still Closed | Yatsushiro (八代駅) – Yoshimatsu (吉松駅) — no reopening date announced |
Timetable Details After June 28, 2026
JR Kyushu's notice states that the departure and arrival times and the number of trains on the Yoshimatsu–Hayato section will not change from the pre-disaster schedule. That is good news for regular commuters who have endured the slower bus replacement for nearly a year.
There is one notable adjustment: select trains will be extended beyond Hayato Station to run through to Kokubu Station (国分駅). The original Japanese notice marks these changes in red, though specific train numbers and departure times are not listed in the text portion of the announcement. Check the official Hisatsu Line timetable once it is published closer to June 28 for precise times.
Replacement Bus Services — End Date
Since August 2025, JR Kyushu has operated replacement bus services ("代行輸送") along the affected corridor. These will cease after June 26, 2026 (Friday) — two days before trains resume. Key points:
- Last day of replacement bus service: Friday, June 26, 2026
- Train service resumes: Sunday, June 28, 2026
- June 27 (Saturday): No service is confirmed in the official announcement — contact JR Kyushu if you need to travel that day
Continued Closure: Yatsushiro–Yoshimatsu Section
The official announcement includes an important caveat: the Yatsushiro Station (八代駅) to Yoshimatsu Station (吉松駅) section of the Hisatsu Line remains closed, suspended since the July 2020 heavy rain disaster (令和2年7月豪雨). That closure has now been in place for nearly six years.
The source notice provides no restoration timeline for this northern section. Travelers who once used the full Hisatsu Line corridor from Kumamoto Prefecture through to Kagoshima Prefecture should plan around this gap. There is no continuous rail service between Yatsushiro and Hayato, and the June 28 resumption does not change that.
For context: the Hisatsu Line historically runs from Yatsushiro in Kumamoto Prefecture to Hayato in Kagoshima Prefecture through mountainous southern Kyushu terrain. It serves communities that depend on rail for daily travel and is valued for its scenic routes. The cumulative impact of two separate weather disasters — 2020 and 2025 — has left the line operating in two disconnected segments.
How to Plan Your Trip Around the Resumed Hisatsu Line Train Schedule
Navigating the June 26–28 Transition Gap
The gap between the end of bus services and the start of train services is the single biggest practical concern for travelers. Based on the official notice:
- June 26 (Friday): Last day of replacement bus service — runs as normal.
- June 27 (Saturday): No transportation option confirmed in the official announcement. Do not assume service exists on this date. Call JR Kyushu or check their website for any interim arrangements.
- June 28 (Sunday): The Hisatsu Line train schedule resumes from the first train. Standard rail fares and ticketing apply. View the updated timetable here once published.
After June 28 — Checking the Updated Schedule
The core timetable is unchanged from pre-disaster, but the extension of certain trains to Kokubu Station means some departure and arrival times for those specific services may differ from what long-time users remember. Before you travel:
- Consult the updated Hisatsu Line timetable once it is officially published
- Check platform announcements at Yoshimatsu and Hayato stations on the day of travel
- Note that some trains now continue beyond Hayato to Kokubu Station
Long-Distance Travelers: Yatsushiro–Hayato Corridor
If you previously traveled the full length of the Hisatsu Line, be aware that the Yatsushiro–Yoshimatsu section remains closed with no announced reopening date. In practical terms:
- There is no continuous rail service between Yatsushiro and Hayato
- The June 28 resumption applies only to the southern Yoshimatsu–Hayato segment
- Travelers from the Kumamoto/Yatsushiro area heading to southern Kyushu destinations should verify current alternative transportation options with JR Kyushu
Connecting via the Kyushu Shinkansen
Hayato Station is accessible via connections from the Kyushu Shinkansen. Travelers arriving at Kagoshima-Chuo Station by Shinkansen can connect to the Hisatsu Line at Hayato Station. With the June 28 resumption, rail connectivity between the Shinkansen network and communities along the Yoshimatsu–Hayato stretch is restored — a meaningful upgrade over the bus replacement that has been running since August 2025.
Ready to plan your route? Search the Hisatsu Line timetable for June 28, 2026 onward and lock in your travel dates.
Pro Tips for Traveling the Hisatsu Line in 2026
- ?️ Book early for the first weekend: June 28 is a Sunday — expect higher demand on the first day of resumed service, particularly for scenic daytime trains.
- ? Avoid June 27 if possible: The one-day gap between bus and train service is unconfirmed territory. Build a buffer day into your itinerary.
- ? Combine with the Shinkansen: Kagoshima-Chuo to Hayato is a short hop — pair it with a Kyushu Shinkansen journey for a full southern Kyushu rail experience.
- ? Check the JR Kyushu app: Real-time schedule updates and any last-minute timetable changes will appear there first.
- ? Use a JR Kyushu Rail Pass: If you are visiting from abroad, a regional rail pass covers the Hisatsu Line and can save money versus individual tickets. Compare JR Kyushu pass options here.
- ? The scenic peak is between Yoshimatsu and Hayato: This section passes through the Kirishima mountain range — sit on the right side heading toward Hayato for the best views.
Official Source
| Source Label | Official Organization (公式機関) |
| Original Japanese Headline | 2026年05月27日 運輸サービス 肥薩線（吉松～隼人間）が運行再開します！ |
| Published At | May 27, 2026, 05:38 UTC |
| Source Site | JR Kyushu (jrkyushu.co.jp) |
| Source Document | View Original JR Kyushu PDF Announcement (Japanese) |
Frequently Asked Questions About the Hisatsu Line Train Schedule
When does the Hisatsu Line train schedule resume between Yoshimatsu and Hayato?
According to the official JR Kyushu notice published on May 27, 2026, the Hisatsu Line train schedule resumes on June 28, 2026 (Sunday), starting from the first train of the day on the Yoshimatsu–Hayato section.
Why was the Hisatsu Line suspended?
The Yoshimatsu–Hayato section was suspended due to damage from the August 2025 heavy rain disaster. Train operations halted on August 7, 2025, and have been replaced by bus services since then. The specific damage types are not detailed in the official source notice.
Will the replacement bus service continue after trains resume on June 28, 2026?
No. The official notice states that replacement bus service will end after June 26, 2026 (Friday) — two days before trains resume. No alternative transportation is mentioned for June 27. Travelers with plans on that date should contact JR Kyushu directly.
Is the entire Hisatsu Line reopening in June 2026?
No. Only the Yoshimatsu–Hayato section (37.4 km) is reopening. The Yatsushiro–Yoshimatsu section remains closed due to damage from the July 2020 heavy rain disaster. The source notice provides no timeline for restoration of that section.
Will the Hisatsu Line train schedule change after resumption?
JR Kyushu states that departure/arrival times and the number of trains on the Yoshimatsu–Hayato section will be unchanged from the pre-disaster timetable. However, select trains will be extended beyond Hayato to Kokubu Station. Check the official timetable once it is published for exact times.
This article is based entirely on the official notice published by JR Kyushu on May 27, 2026. For the most current Hisatsu Line train schedule information, refer to the original JR Kyushu source document or visit japantrain.net/news for further updates.
Last updated: May 27, 2026
