Getting the Right Mix of Modern and Rustic at Yufuin, Japan

The city of Yufuin is a charming place located several kilometers away from Beppu. It is primarily known as an onsen resort district but is also home to various cafes, boutiques, and museums, providing visitors with just the right mix of Japan’s urban and rural side.

Hundreds and thousands of tourists visit Yufuin every year for the various attractions it houses, as well as the stunning views it offers of Mount Yufu and Kinrinko Lake. The city also hosts several annual festivals including the Yufuin Music Festival every July, the Yufuin Film Festival every August, and the Ushikurai Shouting Tournament every October.

Weather & Climate of Yufuin, Japan

The weather and climate of Yufuin are relatively mild. As such, tourists can comfortably explore the city any month of the year. The best times to pay a visit to Yufuin are during the months of May – July, and September – October.

For those who are more comfortable with warmer climates, the month of August is highly recommended. On the other side, tourists who prefer cooler climates or rainy days are advised to plan their trips for the months of January, July, or December.

The average weather and climate reports for Yufuin are as follows:

• January – 2.2 to 10.5 deg. Celsius; 45 mm of precipitation

• February – 2.7 to11.1 deg. Celsius; 65 mm of precipitation

• March – 5.4 to 14.1 deg. Celsius; 112 mm of precipitation

• April – 9.9 to 19.3 deg. Celsius; 129 mm of precipitation

• May – 14.5 to 23.5 deg. Celsius; 150 mm of precipitation

• June – 18.9 to 26.5 deg. Celsius; 274 mm of precipitation

• July – 23.2 to 30.6 deg. Celsius; 253 mm of precipitation

• August – 23.8 to 31.8 deg. Celsius; 172 mm of precipitation

• September – 20.5 to 28.0 deg. Celsius; 220 mm of precipitation

• October – 14.5 to 22.9 deg. Celsius; 121 mm of precipitation

• November – 9.1 to 17.9 deg. Celsius; 69 mm of precipitation

• December – 4.1 to 13.0 deg. Celsius; 34 mm of precipitation

Travel/Tourism Guide in Yufuin, Japan

Although known as an onsen resort city, Yufuin separates itself from the other hot spring districts of Japan by having its baths, ryokans (traditional Japanese inns), and hotels spread around its central town. Small museums, boutiques, and cafes line up its main street, making the ambiance of Yufuin trendier than it supposedly is.

Nonetheless, tourists can still get an authentic experience of Japan’s countryside shortly after going past the city’s main route. Farmhouses and rice paddies make up the majority of Yufuin, alongside the following baths that are highly recommended for first-time or frequent travelers to Japan:

Shoya no Yakata

Shoya no Yakata stands among the best hot springs baths within Yufuin. It can be found in the Northern section of the city, situated on a hillside. The onsen is known for its massive outdoor baths which are separated by gender and feature blueish water that cannot be found in any other onsen in Yufuin. Its location also allows guests with stunning views of the town below.

Hours: 9:30 AM – 4:20 PM, daily

Admission Rate/Price: 800 yen per person (Day pass); Starts at 18,000 yen per person (One night stay inclusive of two meals)

Baien

Baien is located at the Southern part of Yufuin, situated slightly above the town proper. Its charming outdoor hot spring baths offer guests with stunning views of Mount Yufu on clear days. As with other onsens, its baths are separated by gender.

Hours: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM, daily

Admission Rate/Price: 600 yen per person (Day pass); Starts at 19,000 yen per person (One night stay inclusive of two meals)

Musoen

Musoen boasts of its outdoor baths considered to be the best ones in Yufuin. The onsen can be found towards the South, elevated a bit higher than the majority of Yufuin city. From its gender-separated baths to its charming, traditional Japanese rooms, the Musoen offers its guests with a pleasant experience throughout their visit.

Hours: 10:00 AM – 3:30 PM, daily

Admission Rate/Price: 700 yen per person (Day pass); Starts at 19,000 yen per person (One night stay inclusive of two meals)

Sansuikan

Sansuikan can be reached from the Yufuin Station in less than ten minutes by foot. As such, the onsen is perfect for tourists without access to their own modes of private transportation. Outdoor and indoor baths are available at the resort, alongside a sauna and a scented bath.

Hours: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM, daily

Admission Rate/Price: 500 yen per person (Day pass); Starts at 14,000 yen per person (One night stay inclusive of two meals)

Saigakukan

Saigakukan features relatively smaller hot spring baths than those of Musoen, Baien, and Shoya no Yakata. The onsen resort makes up for its slightly limited facilities by providing its guests with some of the most breathtaking views of the town proper and Mount Yufu.

Hours: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM, daily

Admission Rate/Price: 620 yen per person (Day pass); Starts at 17,000 yen per person (One night stay inclusive of two meals)

Shintanyu Public Bath

Shintanyu Public Bath is among the simplest onsens of Yufuin. The place is quite old-fashioned, in the sense that it only features a handful of modern facilities and has no available rooms for rent. Tourists looking to experience the traditional Japanese bathhouse should make it a point to visit this particular onsen located near the shore of Kinrinko Lake.

Hours: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM, daily

Admission Rate/Price: 200 yen per person

Map & Access to Yufuin City, Japan

Tourists can easily travel to and from Yufuin and Beppu, or vice versa, by taking a Kamenoi Bus at the Beppu or Yufuin Station. Two buses operate every hour, with each trip taking about fifty minutes from end to end. A one-way trip costs about 900 yen per person.

Alternatively, a Kyusanko Kyushu Odan Bus may also be taken from Beppu to Kumamoto. These buses include a stop at Yufuin and take an hour to reach the onsen resort district. Compared to the Kamenoi Buses, a one-way trip on this network costs eighty yen more.

Yufuin may also be accessed by train. Tourists need to transfer lines at the Oita Station when traveling from Beppu to Yufuin, or vice versa. The entire trip takes a total travel time of eighty minutes and costs about 1,100 yen per person, one-way. Kyushu Rail Passes and Japan Rail Passes may be used for the train rides.

Given the size of Yufuin, tourists can easily explore the city by foot as its main attractions are located within a 1.5-kilometer radius of the Yufuin Station. As for accessing the any of the city’s onsen resorts or ryokans, renting a bike serves as a convenient and budget-friendly solution. Bike rental services are available at the Yufuin Station and cost about 250 yen per hour or 1,250 yen for the whole day.

Ryokans in Yufuin, Japan (From Tripadvisor, Booking.com, Etc.)

As mentioned, Yufuin is home to various ryokans that offer tourists with an authentic Japanese experience from beginning to end. Some of the good ones located within the city include:

Yufuin Sankouen

The Yufuin Sankouen is among the highly recommended ryokans within Yufuin. Its rooms are designed to carry a chic Japanese setup that comes complete with tatami (woven-straw mat) flooring and futon bedding/mattress. Guests are also free to enjoy ten indoor and outdoor hot spring baths scattered throughout the vicinity.

Rating: 8.6 out of 10

Address: 1723 Kawaminami, Yufu, Oita Prefecture, Japan 879-5103

Yufuin Kotobuki Hananosho

The Yufuin Kotobuki Hananosho is primarily known for its massive indoor and outdoor hot springs baths. From the JR Yufuin Station, the ryokan can be reached in just five minutes by foot. All of its rooms are equipped with the basic facilities and traditional Japanese set meals are available at the dining room or restaurant during dinner and breakfast.

Rating: 8.2 out of 10

Address: 2900-5 Kawakami, Yufu, Oita Prefecture, Japan 879-5102

Yufuin Sansuikan

Yufuin Sansuikan is located less than five meters away from the Yufuin Station and Norman Rockwell Yufuin Museum, while less than a kilometer away from the Yufuin Stained Glass Museum and Ogasha Shrine. Some of its most popular facilities include outdoor hot spring baths, free parking, free WiFi, family rooms, and a communal sauna.

Rating: 8.1 out of 10

Address: 108-1 Kawaminami, Yufuin, Yufu, Oita Prefecture, Japan 879-5196

Yufuin Bath Satoyamasafu

The Yufuin Bath Satoyamasafu features air-conditioned rooms that come complete with private bathrooms, free toiletries, and flat-screen TVs, among other basic facilities. The ryokan also offers free parking to its guests and houses its very own restaurant that serves outstanding Japanese cuisine. Nearby tourist attractions include the Yufuin Motorcycle Museum and the Kinrinko Lake.

Rating: 8.8 out of 10

Address: 828-1 Kawaminami, Yufu, Oita Prefecture, Japan 879-5103

Yufuin Yamaboushi

Yufuin Yamaboushi has always been known for providing its guests with superb services and a pleasant experience throughout their stay. Each room offered at the ryokan features a fridge, a flat-screen TV, and a wardrobe. Guests may also choose to rent out slightly more expensive rooms that feature stunning mountain views.

Rating: 9.0 out of 10

Address: 3045-5 Yufuincho Kawakami, Yufu, Oita Prefecture, Japan 879-5102

Hotels in Yufuin, Japan (From Tripadvisor, Booking.com, Etc.)

For those who prefer more modern facilities, Yufuin also houses several hotel options within its jurisdiction:

Yufuin Besso Shikisai Hotel

The Yufuin Besso Shikisai Hotel can be reached from the JR Yufuin Train Station in less than five minutes by car. Outdoor hot spring baths, private parking, air-conditioned rooms, 24/7 front desk service, and free WiFi connection are just some of the things guests have access to all throughout their stay.

Rating: 8.1 out of 10

Address: 788-2 Yufuin-cho Kawakami, Yufu, Oita Prefecture, Japan 879-5102

Yufuin Kinrinko Hotel

The Yufuin Kinrinko Hotel is located within the district of the Yufuin Onsen, just less than five hundred meters away from the Kinrinko Lake and Yufuin Motorcycle Museum. All rooms offered at the hotel come complete with flat-screen TVs and basic household items, while some rooms feature private balconies or terraces. Shared facilities include showers, baths, and a lounge.

Rating: 7.8 out of 10

Address: 1441-3 Yufuincho Kawakami, Yufu, Oita Prefecture, Japan 879-5102

Etavia Yufuin

Etavia Yufuin welcomes its guests with a lovely terrace and hot springs bath right on its ground floor. The hotel is five minutes away from the JR Yufuin Station by car and is conveniently located near the Kinrinko Lake, Yufuin Showakan, and Bussanji Temple, among other popular tourist attractions.

Rating: 8.8 out of 10

Address: 1639-1 Kawakami, Yufu, Oita Prefecture,  Japan 1639-1

Yufuin Hotel Mori-no-Terrace

Yufuin Hotel Mori-no-Terrace is known for providing its guests with free use of bikes and exceptional customer service. It is a 3-star hotel that features free WiFi connection throughout its vicinity, a shared lounge, and convenient luggage storage spaces available for rent. Each room of the hotel comes complete with its own private bathroom, wardrobe, and flat-screen TV.

Rating: 9.4 out of 10

Address: 928 Kawakita, Yufu, Oita Prefecture, Japan 879-5114

Other Accommodation Options in Yufuin, Japan (From Tripadvisor, Booking.com, Etc.)

Tourists looking for something other than the traditional inn or modern hotel can also choose from a wide selection of charming accommodation options that range from guest houses to apartment-type spaces.

Some of the highly recommended ones include:

Pension Yufuin

Pension Yufuin is a stunning guest house located seven minutes away from the JR Station by foot. Some of its most popular services and facilities include an outdoor public hot springs bath, a private hot springs bath, a beautiful garden, and free WiFi. Conveniently enough, guests may choose from getting a Japanese-style or Western-style room.

Rating: 8.2 out of 10

Address: 138-1 Kawaminami, Yufuin, Yufu, Oita Prefecture, Japan 879-5103

Forest Inn Born

Forest Inn Born is located about six kilometers away from the Yufuin Motorcycle Museum. The place features a lovely garden that is viewable from all of its air-conditioned rooms. There is also a hot spring bath within the property which guests have free access to upon checking in.

Rating: 8.3 out of 19

Address: 1203-6 Tsukahara, Yufu, Oita Prefecture, Japan 879-5101

Rasta Glass

Rasta Glass is perfect for budget travelers looking for the best value out of their buck. The rooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs, free toiletries, slippers, and kettles, while a shared bathroom is available on the ground floor. Guests may also rent out luggage storage spaces, for their convenience.

Rating: 7.5 out of 10

Address: 305-11 Kawaminami, Yufu, Oita Prefecture, Japan 879-5103