About
Yunotsubo shopping street in Yufuin with Mount Yufu's twin peaks in the background. Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Yufuin is an upscale hot spring resort town located at the base of Mount Yufu (1,583.3m), a distinctive twin-peaked volcano. 🔗 Unlike nearby Beppu's urban, commercial atmosphere, Yufuin deliberately maintained a smaller, quieter, and more peaceful character focused on preserving natural beauty and landscapes. 🔗
The town features boutique shopping streets, art galleries, scenic lakeside walks, and high-quality dining experiences. 🔗 As a basin at high altitude surrounded by mountains, the large temperature difference between day and night produces high-quality rice and vegetables that define the local cuisine. 🔗
Cultural & Atmospheric Significance
Yufuin offers a distinctly different experience from Beppu. While Beppu is a city of 110,000 that "happens to get a ton of onsen," Yufuin is described as a more tranquil and rustic alternative with a less commercial feel. 🔗 The main street is lined with cafes, boutiques, and small museums, creating an atmosphere more like a trendy shopping area than a typical onsen town. 🔗
What really sets Yufuin apart is its wide range of art galleries and museums, from high-brow contemporary art to folk crafts. 🔗 The scenic 800-meter-long Yunotsubo Kaido street connects JR Yufuin Station to Lake Kinrinko, featuring over 50 establishments selling local specialties, restaurants serving Oita cuisine, and craft shops—all with Mount Yufu's dramatic twin peaks as a backdrop. 🔗
Visiting Information
Transportation from Beppu:
By Bus (Recommended):
- Kamenoi Bus "Yufurin" service between Beppu and Yufuin 🔗
- Frequency: 1-2 buses per hour 🔗
- Duration: 50-70 minutes 🔗
- Cost: ¥940-1,100 one-way 🔗
- Budget Option: Wide-area unlimited bus passes (1-day ¥1,800, 2-day ¥2,800) 🔗
By Train:
- Route: Beppu → Oita → Yufuin (requires transfer) 🔗
- Duration: ~80 minutes 🔗
- Cost: ¥1,300 by local trains (JR pass covered) 🔗
- Scenic Option: Limited Express "Yufuin no Mori" offers 1 daily round trip to Beppu (advance reservations essential) 🔗
Best Visit Time: Early morning (before 10:30 AM) to experience Lake Kinrinko's morning mist and avoid tour bus crowds 🔗
Recommended Timing: Depart Beppu early (7:00-8:00 AM), explore before tour buses arrive, return in late afternoon/evening
Key Attractions
Lake Kinrinko (Kinrin Lake)
A small lake located 1.5 km from the station featuring walking paths, small shops, cafes, and a shrine at the southern end. 🔗 The lake is famous for its ethereal morning mist from autumn to winter, created when cold mountain air meets warm spring water from the lake bottom. 🔗 Early November brings peak autumn foliage when Japanese maples turn the surroundings bright red. 🔗
Yunotsubo Kaido Shopping Street
An 800-meter pedestrian-friendly street connecting Yufuin Station to Lake Kinrinko, lined with over 50 establishments including restaurants, cafes, boutiques, and souvenir shops. 🔗 Walking takes 20 minutes without stops, but allow 1-2 hours for browsing. 🔗
Contemporary Art & Museums
- Comico Art Museum Yufuin: Designed by Kengo Kuma, featuring Takashi Murakami, Yayoi Kusama works 🔗
- Yufuin Mingei Mura (Folk Crafts Village): Traditional buildings housing galleries for paper making, glass-blowing, pottery, indigo dyeing with hands-on workshops 🔗
Mount Yufu Views & Hiking
The twin-peaked volcano (1,584m) dominates Yufuin's skyline and offers hiking trails from town. 🔗 The summit provides panoramic views of Yufuin Basin, Mount Tsurumi, Beppu Bay, and the Kuju Mountain Range. 🔗 The hike takes 3+ hours from Yufuin Station (9km round trip, 680m elevation gain). 🔗
Day-Use Onsen Bathing
Several ryokans offer day-use bathing before guest check-in (typically noon-3:00 PM): 🔗
- Musouen: 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM; ¥700 adults; Features massive open-air baths with Mount Yufu views 🔗
- Yufuin Sansuikan: 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM; ¥700 adults 🔗
Food & Dining
- Bungo Beef Mabushi at Yufumabushi Shin: Luxurious clay pot rice with Oita wagyu beef 🔗
- Yufuin Kinsho Croquettes: Gold prize-winning croquettes with crispy exterior and Bungo beef 🔗
- Regional dishes: Toriten (crispy fried chicken), Dango-jiru (wheat flour dumplings) 🔗
Practical Visiting Tips
Crowd Avoidance:
- Arrive early (before 10:30 AM) to experience Lake Kinrinko in peace 🔗
- Tour buses arrive mid-morning - explore main streets before then
- Visit museums and galleries during peak street crowd times 🔗
Best Photo Spots:
- Lake Kinrinko at sunrise for morning mist and autumn reflections 🔗
- Yunotsubo Kaido with Mount Yufu's twin peaks in background 🔗
Money-Saving:
- Use Kamenoi Bus wide-area pass (¥1,800 1-day, ¥2,800 2-day) covering Beppu-Yufuin route 🔗
- Free walking and exploring of town and lake areas
- Day-use onsen at reasonable prices (¥700-1,000) 🔗
Seasonal Considerations (Early November):
- Autumn Foliage: Peak colors at Lake Kinrinko, especially Japanese maples 🔗
- Morning Mist: Best viewing from autumn to winter on cool, clear mornings before sunrise 🔗
- Weather: Comfortable temperatures for walking; large day-night temperature difference 🔗
- Special Events (November 3): Shonai Kagura Festival and Shonai Furusato Festival 🔗
Weather Preparation:
- Early November mornings can be cool; layer clothing for temperature changes 🔗
- Bring camera equipment ready for morning mist photography 🔗
- Comfortable walking shoes essential for 1.5km main route 🔗
Important Notes:
- Limited Express "Yufuin no Mori" seats consistently fully booked; reserve well in advance or use regular bus/train services 🔗
- Morning mist at Lake Kinrinko requires arrival before sunrise on cool, clear days 🔗
- Main streets become very busy from noon when tour buses arrive 🔗
Location: View on Google Maps
Source: attractions/beppu/yufuin-day-trip.md