Walking Yufuin, Oita's Retro Hot Spring Town: Where to Eat, Shop & Bathe

About the Hot Spring Town "Yufuin"

Yufuin's rural landscape

Yufuin is a hot spring town in central Oita prefecture, well-known for its cozy, retro townscape. Along with Beppu, Yufuin is one of the prefecture’s most famous hot spring resorts. In fact, Oita is number one in Japan in both volume of hot spring water produced, and pure number of springs. The town offers a great amount of joy for travelers with its walk-in hot springs, unique stores, and local cuisines.

The “name” Yufuin was coined in the 1950s, and the area officially became a hot springs resort around the late 1980s. Today, Yufuin is known as a cozy, relaxing onsen town, and is popular as a short-stay destination.

The area was named Yufuin (bearing the Chinese character for "hot water" or "bath") in 1955, and became widely recognized as a cozy hot spring town later in the 1990s. The town of Yufuin and all of its offerings can be enjoyed fully in about two days, and is especially popular to tourists for how easy it is to navigate by foot.

Unique Shops only in Yufuin

Here are our 3 picks for places to shop in Yufuin!

Yufuin has many shops that specialize in antique and retro items. Many of the items found at these vintage shops can only be found in Yufuin!

Yunotsubo-Kaido Street

Yunotsubo-Kaido

Yunotsubo Kaido is a street with vendors selling pickled vegetables, hand-made jam, the famous Yufuin burger and more. There are over 70 shops on the street.

You can find all sorts of unique shops here, like shops specializing things like imported goods and wooden items. The shop, called “craft works HACHINOSU”, is located a 5-minute walk from Yufin Station.

Yufuin Floral Village

Yufuin Floral Village is a mini-theme park located about a 15-minute walk away from Yufuin Station. The area was modeled after the Cotswold region in England, where parts of the Harry Potter movie series were shot.

Yufuin Floral Village

Inside Yufuin Floral Village, there are some areas that are recreations shops and sceneries seen in movies. One is “Kiki’s Bakery”, which models the bakery seen in the Ghibli film, “Kiki’s Delivery Service”.

There is also an area that recreates the world of the children’s books series, “Peter Rabbit”. There are also antique shops and petting zoos in the facility.

Fees: free (some areas require extra charge)
Opening hours: 9:30a.m. – 5:30p.m.

B-speak

B-speak has one of Yufuin’s representative sweets. The Swiss rolls here so popular that they can sell out in the morning. The cakes are the perfect level of sweet, and the sponge and whipped cream is a match made in heaven.

The size of the Swiss roll slice served at the café is a third of the size that is sold for take away. It may look like a big slice at first, but you will finish the delicious cake in no time.

Opening hours: 10:00a.m. – 5:00p.m.

Nature Spots at Yufuin

Yufuin also has a number of spots for a quick breath of fresh, natural air. Here are two places accessible from the town of Yufuin, that let you dip into Oita Prefecture's rich nature!

Mount Yufu

Mount Yufu, located in the northeastern portion of Yufuin, is a part of the Aso Kuju National Park. On sunny, clear days, you can see as far as the Shikoku region from the top of Mount Yufu. The mountain is especially beautiful in the autumn, when the fall leaves color the mountains.

Mount Yufu

Once the dead grass on the mountain is burned off, the mountain opens up for visitors in the beginning of May. As a part of a prayer to wish for the safety of the climbers, tonjiru, a pork miso soup is handed out to climbers.

Lake Kinrinko

The shrine gate at Kinrinko Lake, Yufuin

Lake Kinrinko is a great place for a moment of relaxation in nature's embrace. The lake is exceptionally beautiful, with steam constantly rising above the lake surface.

The lake water contains water from hot springs, and that is where the steam comes from. On autumn and winter mornings, the steam is especially clear, visit then for the prettiest views.

Hot Springs in Yufuin that can you can drop into!

Not all of Yufuin's hot springs are attached to inns and hotels. Here are some drop-in hot spring facilities that you can enjoy!

Shitan-yu Public Bath

Shitan-yu is a small but traditional public bath located by Lake Kinrinko. It is a co-ed bathing facility without any designated changing areas, so it might take a bit of courage to enter at first. This bath is great for those who want a simple, traditional bathing experience.

The waters of Shitan-yu are simple and low in alkali levels. The bath is good for treating fatigue.

Entry fee: ¥200
Opening hours: 10:00a.m. – 10:00p.m.

Yunotsubo Onsen

Yunotsubo Onsen locates a bit further into Tsubo Kaido Road. This onsen is not as well known as others, so you can expect less of a crowd here.
The baths are all located inside, and the waters are simple and smooth. It is said to be good for arthritis and nerve pains.

Entry fee: ¥200
Opening hours: 10:00a.m. – 6:00p.m.

Access

Nearest station: Yufuin Station

Access from Oita Station

【Oita Sta.】Kyudai Main Line / for Yufuin
→【Yufuin Sta.】

Access from Oita Airport

【Oita Sta.】Oita Airport Line / for Yufuin
→【Yufuin Eki-mae】about a 5-minute walk

Access from Hakata Station

【Hakata Sta.】Sonic Nichirin Limited Express / for Saiki
→【Oita Sta.】Kyudai Main Line / for Yufuin
→【Yufuin Sta.】→ about a 10-minute walk

Limited Express "Yufuin no Mori"

Yufuin no Mori Train

If you’re visiting Yufuin from Hakata (in Fukuoka prefecture), then you can take the Yufuin no Mori Limited Express Train operated by JR Kyushu. The seats are spacious and comfortable, with a lounge area (on trains 3 and 4), where a cabin attendant will give you information on Yufuin.

Nearby Destinations

Here are some sights near Yufuin.