By 2 December 1928, the track at Miyaji was linked to the Inukai Line (犬飼線), which had been extended westward in phases from Ōita since 1914.

Additionally, the station building housing the waiting room was demolished in March 2020, and the automatic ticket vending machine was moved to the platform.

It currently serves as a safety measure to prevent trains from entering Platform 1 (Higo-Ōzu) from the Minami Aso Railway Takamori Line.

The Minami Aso Railway platform, which was renovated in 2023, is located behind the connecting stairs that descend from the station building.

Additionally, the Minami Aso Railway Tateno Station bookstore was built on the Takamori Line platform.

The station buildings for both the Minami Aso Railway and JR Kyushu are located on this platform, which also serves the Takamori Line.

From the JR Kyushu station, a level crossing provides access to the other island platform, which serves two Hōhi Main Line tracks.

To achieve a practical gradient while ascending 190 metres (620 ft) over this distance, trains must perform a three-stage switchback, changing direction twice, after leaving the station.

Trains approaching from Seta enter Tateno from the west, then reverse direction and exit the station westward.

They continue to a point at an altitude of 306 metres (1,004 ft), where they reverse direction again onto a track heading toward the next station.