Yufuin (—R•z‰@ as onsen resort, “’•z‰@ as city district) is a popular hot spring resort, located about ten kilometers inland from Beppu, another, much larger and more developed hot spring resort. Yufuin has a wealth of art museums, cafes and boutiques, and many travelers come to the city just to stroll about town for the day.
Yufuin is located on a flat river basin surrounded by mountains. The most prominent feature of Yufuin's skyline is the twin peaked Mount Yufu, which hovers over the town and serves as the backdrop for many scenic views. The area is rural and shortly after leaving the main walking route, travelers will come across the rice paddies and farm houses that make up a considerable part of the town.
Main shopping street
The ryokan and hotels of Yufuin are spread out around town, and not clustered along the main street like in many other resort towns. Instead, the main street is lined with cafes, boutiques and small museums, giving Yufuin an atmosphere more like a trendy shopping area than a traditional onsen town. Nonetheless, there is a large number of lodgings with hot spring baths, some of which open their baths to non-staying guests during daytime.
Another natural landmark of Yufuin besides Mount Yufu is Lake Kinrinko. The small lake is located at the end of the town's main walking route, about a kilometer and a half from the station. Walking paths surround the lake as well as more small shops and cafes, and there is a small shrine located at the lake's southern end. There are also a few public bath houses, one of which, the Shitanyu, can be used by tourists, while the others are for use by local residents only.
Lake Kinrinko
Below is a list of some of Yufuin's best baths:
Tsuka no Ma•
Daytime Hours: 9:30 to 18:30 (entry until 18:00), closed Wednesdays Daytime Admission: 800 yen Overnight Stay: From 18,000 yen per person including two meals
Tsuka no Ma (formerly known as Shoya no Yakata) is located on a hillside in the northern part of Yufuin where large steam clouds from hot spring sources can be seen rising into the air. The ryokan has large, gender separated outdoor baths with blueish-looking water, untypical for Yufuin. The location on the hillside allows for some views onto the town below.
Baien•
Daytime visits by non-staying guests are not possible! Overnight Stay: From 22,000 yen per person including two meals
Baien is located slightly above the town to the south, and has large, attractive outdoor baths (rotemburo) for visitors. On clear days, the twin peaks of Mount Yufu are visible from the baths. The facilities are gender separated.
Musoen•
Daytime Hours: 10:00 to 14:30 (entry until 14:00) Daytime Admission: 900 yen Overnight Stay: From 19,000 yen per person including two meals
The views of Mount Yufu from Musoen's outdoor baths are considered among Yufuin's best. The ryokan is located slightly above town to the south and has large, attractive baths that are gender separated. The ryokan grounds are quite attractive, as well.
Sansuikan
Daytime Hours: 12:00 to 16:00 Daytime Admission: 700 yen Overnight Stay: From 15,000 yen per person including two meals
Located just a short walk from Yufuin Station, Sansuikan offers some of the most easily accessible baths to tourists without private means of transportation. The large ryokan's gender separated bathing facilities feature multiple outdoor and indoor pools, a scented bath and a sauna.
Saigakukan
Daytime Hours: 11:00 to 16:00 (entry until 15:00) Daytime Admission: 650 yen Overnight Stay: From 22,000 yen per person including two meals
Saigakukan is located to the south of town, however its baths are not quite as large, open and attractive as those of the Baien and Musoen. Nonetheless, they are quite nice and offer some views of Mount Yufu. There are gender separated indoor and outdoor pools.
Shitanyu Public Bath
Hours: 10:00 to 22:00 Admission: 200 yen
The Shitanyu is a very simple, old-fashioned public bath house at the shore of Lake Kinrinko with two small pools. It is gender mixed without dedicated changing rooms and very limited facilities. The bath house opens towards the back, giving bathers a view onto some greenery.
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Getting there and around
How to travel between Yufuin and Beppu
By bus
Kamenoi Bus operates 1-2 buses per hour between Beppu and Yufuin Stations. The one way trip takes 50 minutes and costs 940 yen.
By train
Train travel between Beppu and Yufuin requires a transfer of trains at Oita Station. By local trains, the one way journey takes about 80 minutes, costs 1130 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass and Kyushu Rail Pass.
By Kyusanko Kyushu Odan Bus
The Kyushu Odan Bus operates between Beppu and Kumamoto, stopping at Yufuin along the way. The one way journey between Beppu and Yufuin takes one hour, costs 1000 yen and is covered by the Sun Q Pass. Click here for timetables and online reservations.
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How to travel between Yufuin and Fukuoka
By highway bus
A direct highway bus runs about once per hour between Fukuoka (Hakata Station, Tenjin Bus Center and Fukuoka Airport) and Yufuin (Yufuin Station). The one way trip takes about 2.5 hours and costs 2930 yen. A round trip ticket is available for 5240 yen. The bus is covered by the Sun Q Pass.
By train
There are several direct JR limited express trains between Fukuoka (Hakata Station) and Yufuin every day. The one way trip takes around 2.5 hours, costs about 5000 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass and Kyushu Rail Pass.
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How to travel between Yufuin and Kumamoto
By bus
The Kyusanko Kyushu Odan Bus connects Kumamoto (Kumamoto Station, Kumamoto Kotsu Center and Kumamoto Airport) with Yufuin (Yufuin Bus Center). The one way trip between Kumamoto and Yufuin Stations takes 4-5 hours, cost 4200 yen and is covered by the Sun Q Pass. Click here for timetables and online reservations.
The Kyushu Odan Bus by Kyusanko travels from Yufuin to Aso Station before continuing to Kumamoto. The one way journey between Yufuin and Aso takes about 2.5 hours, cost 3000 yen and is covered by the Sun Q Pass. Click here for timetables and online reservations.
By train
Train travel between Yufuin and Aso leads via Oita: take a train from Yufuin to Oita Station (one hour, 1-2 trains per hour) and then the Kyushu Odan Express limited express train to Aso (about 2 hours, a few trains per day). The entire one way trip takes around 3.5 hours and costs about 4000 yen. Alternatively, the journey by local trains takes about 4.5 hours, costs 2860 yen and requires multiple transfers along the way. All the trains are fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass.
Kamenoi Bus operates 1-2 buses per hour between Beppu and Yufuin Stations. The one way trip takes 50 minutes and costs 940 yen.
By train
Train travel between Beppu and Yufuin requires a transfer of trains at Oita Station. By local trains, the one way journey takes about 80 minutes, costs 1130 yen and is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass and Kyushu Rail Pass.
By Kyusanko Kyushu Odan Bus
The Kyushu Odan Bus operates between Beppu and Kumamoto, stopping at Yufuin along the way. The one way journey between Beppu and Yufuin takes one hour, costs 1000 yen and is covered by the Sun Q Pass. Click here for timetables and online reservations.
Above fees and schedules are subject to change. For the current yen exchange rate, click here.
Orientation
Yufuin can be easily explored on foot, and the majority of the town's attractions are located along the 1.5 kilometer long main walking route between Yufuin Station and Lake Kinrinko. Walking the entire route takes between 20 and 30 minutes, not counting any stops along the way.
Yufuin's baths are spread out all across the town, and many of them are difficult to access without private transportation. Bicycles are a convenient method for traveling to the more remote baths or for seeing the town quickly. Rental bicycles can be obtained at Yufuin Station for 250 yen per hour or 1250 yen per day. Taxi and rental car are other options for getting around. Nissan and Ekiren have rental car outlets in Yufuin, while many more outlets are found in nearby Beppu.
Set in Yufu, within less than 1 km of Yufuin Motorcycle Museum and 43 km of Oita Bank Dome, Ryoso Yufuin Yamadaya offers accommodation with a garden and free WiFi as well as free private parking for guests who drive. This 4-star ryokan offers luggage storage space. Beppu Station is 23 km from the ryokan and Oita Station is 35 km away. An Asian breakfast is available every morning at the ryokan. Ryoso Yufuin Yamadaya offers 4-star accommodation with a hot spring bath. Popular points of interest near the accommodation include Kinrinko Lake, Norman Rockwell Yufuin Museum and Yufuin Stained Glas Museum. The nearest airport is Oita Airport, 52 km from Ryoso Yufuin Yamadaya.
Yawaragi-no-Sato Yadoya features 6 hot spring baths, a Japanese restaurant and universal design, only a 2-minute walk from the picturesque Yu-no-Tsubo Kaido (Yu-no-Tsubo Road). If offers Japanese-style and Western rooms, a library and free Wi-Fi at the lobby. Guests at Yadoya Yawaragi-no-Sato can unwind in outdoor and indoor public hot spring baths, or enjoy a private hot spring at extra charge. The hotel has a souvenir shop and free parking. Comfortable rooms feature an interior in neutral colours, and theyfre fitted with air conditioning, a TV and a fridge. All rooms have an attached bathroom with free toiletries. The hotelfs restaurant serves a Japanese breakfast and Japanese dinners featuring the local speciality Bungo beef. Yawaragi-no-Sato Yadoya is a 7-minute walk from Kinrin Lake, and a 15-minute walk from JR Yufuin Train Station.
Yufuin Bettei Itsuki features a hot spring bath, free Wi-Fi and luxurious contemporary rooms with a balcony, a private hot spring bath and a Japanese-style seating area. Air-conditioned rooms come with a living room with a wooden floor, a sofa and a wall-mounted flat-screen TV. A minibar, toiletries and yukata robes are provided, while the en suite bathroom offers a bathtub, a shower and a toilet. Itsuki Yufuin Bettei offers luggage storage and room service, while facilities include a souvenir shop and free parking. An American breakfast is served at Dining Towakura, which offers a Japanese dinner in the evening. Guests can request to upgrade their dinner to Bungo beef steak course dinner at an additional charge (advance reservation needed). Also, guests staying for two nights or more will be offered a different dinner everyday. The property is a 5-minute drive from Yufuin Station, and a 10-minute walk from Kinrin Lake.
Offering public indoor/outdoor hot-spring baths, Yufuin Onsen Hinoharu Ryokan features Japanese-style accommodations with a flat-screen satellite TV and Yukata robes. Guests can request for relaxing massages and free WiFi is available throughout the entire property. Prepared with fresh sashimi, wagyu beef and local vegetables, traditional Japanese multi-course meals are served for dinner at the dining room. For breakfast, a Japanese set menu is offered at the dining room. The air-conditioned rooms feature garden views, tatami (woven-straw) floors and Japanese futon bedding. Each comes with a safety deposit box, a fridge and an electric kettle. Some rooms have a private hot-spring bath, while for some bathrooms are shared. Guests at the ryokan are welcomed with green tea and Japanese sweets. They can relax at the large public hot spring baths or take a dip in a cosy privately-reserved bath for free. A free-use internet computer and photocopying services are available as well. Hinoharu Ryokan Yufuin Onsen is a 10-minute walk from Lake Kinrin. JR Yufuin Train Station is a 15-minute walk away. Oita Airport is a 60-minute drive from the property and Fukuoka Airport a 90-minute drive away.
Located in Yufu, within 1.2 km of Yufuin Motorcycle Museum and 41 km of Oita Bank Dome, Baien provides accommodation with a garden and free WiFi throughout the property as well as free private parking for guests who drive. Each accommodation at the 4-star ryokan has mountain views, and guests can enjoy access to a hot spring bath. The property is non-smoking and is set 1.1 km from Kinrinko Lake. Each room has air conditioning and a flat-screen TV, and certain rooms at the ryokan have a patio. At Baien each room includes bed linen and towels. Guests at the accommodation can enjoy an Asian breakfast. Popular points of interest near Baien include Yufuin Stained Glas Museum, Unaki Hime Shrine and Bussanji Temple. The nearest airport is Oita Airport, 53 km from the ryokan.
Located in Yufu, 1.8 km from Yufuin Motorcycle Museum, Yufudake Ichibo no Yado Kirara provides accommodation with a terrace, free private parking and a restaurant. With free WiFi, this 3-star ryokan offers room service. The property is allergy-free and is situated 42 km from Oita Bank Dome. The ryokan will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a fridge, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a bidet. At Yufudake Ichibo no Yado Kirara each room is equipped with bed linen and towels. ? la carte and Asian breakfast options are available daily at the accommodation. Yufudake Ichibo no Yado Kirara offers 3-star accommodation with a hot spring bath. Popular points of interest near the ryokan include Kinrinko Lake, Unaki Hime Shrine and Ogosha Shrine. The nearest airport is Oita Airport, 54 km from Yufudake Ichibo no Yado Kirara.
Set in Yufu, 400 metres from Yufuin Motorcycle Museum, Pension Kinrinko Toyonokuni features a restaurant and free WiFi. Guests can enjoy the on-site restaurant. Free private parking is available on site. Rooms are equipped with a flat-screen TV. You will find a kettle in the room. You will find luggage storage space at the property. There is a shared hot spring bath for guests to enjoy. Kinrinko Lake is a few steps from Pension Kinrinko Toyonokuni, while Yufuin Chagall Museum is 100 metres away. The nearest airport is Oita Airport, 42 km from Pension Kinrinko Toyonokuni.
With an outdoor hot-spring bath, Yufuin Kaze no Mori is located at the footsteps of Kurakiyama Mountain. All guest rooms each have a private open-air bath. Fitted with tatami (woven-straw) flooring and Japanese futon bedding, each room comes with basic amenities including a refrigerator, an electric kettle, and a flat-screen TV. A ganbanyoku stone sauna and a drinks vending machine is available on site. Free shuttle service from JR Yufuin Station is provided upon request. Meals prepared with seasonal ingredients are served at the private dining area. Lake Kinriko is just 2-minutes away on foot. Yunotsubo Shopping Street and JR Yufuin Station are a 5-minute drive. The closest airport is Oita Airport which is a 1-hour bus ride from the property.
In the Yufuin Onsen district of Yufu, close to Kinrinko Lake, Yufu Inn features a garden and a washing machine. The air-conditioned accommodation is less than 1 km from Yufuin Motorcycle Museum, and guests benefit from complimentary WiFi and private parking available on site. The holiday home with a terrace and mountain views has 2 bedrooms, a living room, a flat-screen TV, an equipped kitchen with a fridge and a microwave, and 1 bathroom with a shower. Popular points of interest near the holiday home include Artegio, Yufuin Showakan and Yufuin Chagall Museum. The nearest airport is Oita Airport, 51 km from Yufu Inn.
Set in Yufu in the Oita region, with Yufuin Motorcycle Museum and Kinrinko Lake nearby, Kotonone Mai Suzu offers accommodation with free WiFi and free private parking, as well as access to a hot spring bath. The accommodation comes with a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with bidet, shower and a hairdryer, while the kitchen features a fridge and a microwave. For added convenience, the property can provide towels and bed linen for an extra charge. Guests can also relax in the garden. Popular points of interest near the holiday home include Bussanji Temple, Yufuin Chagall Museum and Yufuin Retro Motor Museum. The nearest airport is Oita Airport, 52 km from Kotonone Mai Suzu.
best of the best
best of Japan
outstanding
