Yufuin is a pretty-as-can-be mountain town located in the Oita Prefecture of Japan. The two things it’s famous for? Nature and hot springs (onsen).
If you are looking for an unforgettable experience in Yufuin, you need to stay at one of the luxurious ryokans in the region! I guarantee you’ll feel relaxed and replenished after just one night!
The ryokans listed in this post all offer private onsen baths, meaning you can soak anytime you want without having to run into other people! This is a great option for:
- people who don’t particularly like to bathe in the nude in front of strangers
- people with tattoos (tattoos are not widely accepted at onsen yet)
- groups who want to be able to chat freely without disturbing other bathers
Some ryokan offer hot spring baths right in your very own room. Forgot something in the bedroom? You can grab it in less than 5 seconds before plopping back into the onsen. Easy peasy!
Some ryokan have private onsen baths outside of the room that you can reserve free of charge.
I’ve carefully handpicked these ryokan as some of the best in Yufuin for their onsen amenities, amazing food, and world-class staff treatment.
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7 Best Ryokans With Private Onsen In Yufuin, Japan
Table of Contents
Yufudake Ichibo no Yado Kirara
Price: $$
Yufudake Ichibo no Yado Kirara is an enchanting ryokan hotel in Yufu. Situated in the hills of Shirahama, high up in the Yufuin area. This tranquil retreat offers a much-needed respite from the hustle and bustle of urban life.
The ryokan’s traditional Japanese design, warm hospitality, and stunning mountain views make it a perfect destination for those seeking to experience true Japanese culture. The warm and woody furniture choices used to decorate the rooms add to the traditional feel of the ambiance too!
All of the luxurious rooms at Yufudake Ichibo no Yado Kirara feature modern amenities such as terraces, air conditioning, flat-screen TVs, toilets with bidets, and semi open-air baths that open up to incredible views of the mountains.
And while the ryokan’s location is a bit further from town (about a 5-minute drive away), you wouldn’t be graced with such great views if you weren’t.
Guests can also enjoy meals cooked with local ingredients served by the most attentive staff in their room. You can expect the included dinner/breakfast meals to be filling, well thought-out, and presented on plates/bowls almost like art!
After a day exploring the region’s attractions, visitors can relax in one of the spacious public hot spring baths or retire to their rooms to enjoy a private soak.
- Bed Options: Twin beds and full beds
- Free shuttle service?: Yes
- Free parking: Yes
- Distance from Yufuin Station: 4-minute drive
Yufuin Bettei Itsuki
Price: $$ – $$$
If you’re someone who can’t make up your mind about whether you want to soak in an onsen outdoors or indoors, you can have the best of both worlds at Yufuin Bettei Itsuki.
Yufuin Bettei Itsuki features not one, but two in-room private hot spring baths, one indoor and one open-air bath. Now that’s what you call good amenities!
All of the luxurious contemporary rooms come with a living room with a wooden floor, a sofa, flat-screen TV, mini-bar, toiletries and yukata robes that you can don on and wear throughout your time at the property. And because the rooms are larger, it’s the perfect place to stay no matter if you’re traveling as a couple or with your family.
In terms of the food, expect nothing else but excellence here. You’ll get to enjoy a wide selection of delicious food and drink during your stay.
An American breakfast is served at Dining Towakura, while at night, it offers a traditional kaiseki-style Japanese dinner. Guests can request to upgrade their dinner to Bungo beef steak course dinner at an additional charge (but advance reservations are needed).
Should you choose to stay multiple nights, you’ll be offered a different dinner every night.
The property is private and secluded, yet still relatively close to the main shopping strip in the area. The property is a 5-minute drive from Yufuin Station, and a 10-minute walk from Kinrin Lake. So if you don’t mind being a bit farther away from the JR stations, then we’d definitely recommend staying here.
Ultimately, the quality and luxury you get to experience for the price is unbeatable.
- Bed Options: Twin beds and futon beds
- Free shuttle service?: Yes
- Free parking: Yes
- Distance from Yufuin Station: 3-minute drive
Ikkoten
Price: $$$
The name “Ikkoten” means a paradise on earth. With just 10 cottages spread out over the expansive 7,600-square meter grounds, you’ll really feel at ease and relaxed here — like a true home away from home!
The intimate setting will feel almost like an exclusive paradise for just 10 groups of travelers per day. And because each group will get an entire cottage, Ikkoten is great for families and larger groups.
This elegant Japanese-Modern ryokan offers detached cottages which all have semi-open-air baths directly filled from a natural spring, as well as stunning views of Yufu mountain!
In terms of food, you guessed it–breakfast and dinner are included with your stay. Expect kaiseki cuisine made with carefully-selected local ingredients, including lots of Oita and Bungo delicacies. Each dish is served when you are ready, so that you can savor the local seasonal ingredients at your leisure without feeling rushed.
There’s even a private dining room that you could opt to dine it for just you and your group! Guest staying multiple days can enjoy different Japanese and Western items every day.
The rooms, hot springs, food, and staff are all first-class here!
At the time of writing, there is no pick-up and drop-off service, so you’ll need to hop into a taxi to get to the property. Ikkoten is located 5 minutes from Yufuin Station by car.
- Bed Options: Twin beds and futon beds
- Free shuttle service?: No
- Free parking: Yes
- Distance from Yufuin Station: 5-minute drive
Hinoharu Ryokan
Price: $$
Hinoharu Ryokan offers a perfect blend of modern comfort and historical charm, thanks to its thoughtful renovations in 2000.
Just a 10-minute walk from Yufuin Station, this intimate ryokan has only 11 rooms, ensuring personalized attention from the all-Japanese staff, who guide guests through every detail of their stay, from wearing a Yukata to explaining each dish during the exquisite Kaiseki dinner and traditional Japanese breakfast.
The spacious rooms feature tatami floors, a separate sitting area, and modern amenities like a shower and toilet, while the ryokan’s private and public onsens provide a relaxing retreat.
On top of private onsen baths in some of the rooms, there are also larger private baths for families or others those not comfortable using the public ones.
The location is pretty nice too — located near the Floral Village and Kinrinko Lake, Hinoharu Ryokan is ideally situated for exploring Yufuin’s main attractions.
- Bed Options: Japanese-style beds (futon)
- Free shuttle service?: No
- Free parking: Yes
- Distance from Yufuin Station: 4-minute drive, 10-minute walk
Yufu Ryochiku
Price: $$
Yufu Ryochiku is a gem for anyone seeking comfort and convenience in Yufuin. The location is ideal, nestled in the heart of the tourist area, just a 10 to 12-minute walk from the station and close to the beautiful Kinrin Lake.
The service is top-notch, with staff who speak English and Korean, always ready to help with a smile. The ryokan boasts two indoor and two outdoor hot springs, and with only 8 total guestrooms, it’s easy to find your own private moment in the hot springs.
You can choose from Japanese-style rooms (futon beds on the floor) or go with rooms that have twin beds elevated off the ground. Some rooms come with private bathrooms, while others have a shared bathroom with other guests. Some have private onsen baths, while others do not.
Since the rooms are all so different, be sure to get the room type that fits you best when you book.
The Kaiseki dinner and breakfast are delicious and filling, with staff explaining each dish so you can fully enjoy the experience.
- Bed Options: Twin beds and futons
- Free shuttle service?: No
- Free parking: Yes
- Distance from Yufuin Station: 4-minute drive, 12-minute walk
Yufuin Yasuha
Price: $$
If you want a real escape from civilization, consider Yufuin Yasuha, located far from the center of Yufuin.
This ryokan is famous for its signature natural hot spring — the rare “blue bath”, hot spring waters that flow bright cobalt blue with a rich and moisturizing texture. Again, this is rare and the only one at Yufuin is at this ryokan!
Surrounded by lush vegetation, Yufuin Yasuha offers traditional Japanese accommodations with tatami (woven-straw) flooring and futon bedding. You’ll also get to enjoy a massive lounge fireplace and bar, all of which contribute to the villa-like accommodation experience.
You have the choice of opting for a room either within the hotel complex or in a separate house, with or without a private open-air bath. Should you choose a room without a private bath, there is still a large public onsen you can use and enjoy during your stay.
For dinner, you’ll get a 10-dish course meal that changes every month depending on the seasonality of the ingredients. Everything is made with local ingredients, including farm-fresh vegetables, the famous Bungo beef, and delicious seafood.
Breakfast and dinner can be enjoyed in one of two restaurants on the property.
From JR Yufuin Train Station, the property can be accessed by a 5-minute complimentary shuttle ride.
- Bed Options: Twin beds and futon beds
- Free shuttle service: Yes (advance reservations required)
- Free parking: Yes
- Distance from Yufuin Station: 5 minute-drive
Ryoso Yufuin Yamadaya
Price: $$
Ryoso Yufuin Yamadaya is a renowned onsen hotel located in the picturesque town of Yufuin. This luxurious resort features a range of relaxing onsens for guests to enjoy during their stay.
There are 4 onsens at the ryokan hotel, 2 private baths and 2 public baths (both indoor and outdoor options). As long as nobody is using the private onsen, any guest at the ryokan can use it. You also have the option to book a room with a private onsen as well.
There are a total of 14 spacious rooms across 2 floors, some with mountain views, too. The inside of the building will give you a sense of being in nature, and you can expect the entire property to be beautifully maintained by the helpful staff.
The highlight of your stay will probably be the kaiseki-style dinner, where you can experience the finest of fine dining in your room for just about 90 to 120 minutes.
Both dinner and breakfast will be unforgettable experiences, with your only complaint being that there’s too much food! If you’d like to enjoy a private dining experience, you’re in luck because dinners are served in your room.
In terms of location, this ryokan is near the center of everything. Yufuin Station is just a 7-minute walk away, and the main street is just a 10-15 minute walk from the property. Norman Rockwell Yufuin Museum, Yufuin Stained Glass Museum, and Yufuin Trick Art Meikyukan Museum are all within a 2-8 minute walk.
All in all, the facilities, the meals, and the amenities at Ryoso Yufuin Yamadaya are top-notch!
- Bed Options: Twin beds and futon beds
- Free shuttle service?: Yes
- Free parking: Yes
- Distance from Yufuin Station: 2-minute drive, 6-minute walk
How To Get To Yufu, Japan
Yufu is a city located in Ōita Prefecture on the island of Kyushu in Japan. The city is famous for its hot springs and is a popular destination for travelers who enjoy relaxing in the mountains. Getting to Yufu by plane is easy and there are several airports located nearby.
The closest airport to Yufuin is Oita Airport (OIT) which is located about 55 kilometers away from town. The airport offers both domestic and international flights and will be the most convenient option if you’re flying into Japan.
To get from the OIT Airport to Yufuin Station, you can take a bus or a train.
Heading to Yufuin from Tokyo?
There are several ways to get to Yufuin from Tokyo. The most direct way is to take a flight from Tokyo Haneda Airport to Ōita Airport, which takes about 2 hours. From there, you can take a series of local trains or taxi to get to Yufuin.
Japan Travel Insurance
This is a no-brainer. When traveling internationally, be sure to get yourself some travel insurance.
I’ve heard of too many unfortunate experiences where friends and family have had baggage lost/stolen, hotels canceled, or have had unexpected medical emergencies while traveling where they’ve had to cut their trips short.
True story alert — in 2022, my partner even had his shoulder completely dislocated while surfing in Mexico, resulting in a $950 USD emergency room bill that we had to pay out of pocket for! Not fun… and most definitely not cheap.
Without travel insurance, you would have to pay out of pocket for these mishaps. This is why I get travel insurance for all my international trips now!
One of the best budget-friendly travel insurances for those traveling outside their home country is SafetyWing.
SafetyWing Insurance provides coverage for unexpected illness or injury, including eligible expenses for hospital, doctor or prescription drugs. This means that if you get ill or injured, THEY will cover the medical expenses.
In addition, it provides emergency travel-related benefits such as:
- emergency medical evacuation – very much needed if you like to go hiking or backpacking in the wild.
- travel delay
- lost checked luggage
- adventure sports coverage (add-on) – so you can rappel down waterfalls, cave dive, mountain bike, scuba dive, etc. with peace of mind.
- electronics theft (add-on) – get reimbursed if your laptop, phone, camera or other electronics get stolen.
Click here to price out how much travel insurance would be for your trip.
Looking for more Japan travel tips? You may also like:
7 Best Ryokans In Beppu, Japan (With Private Onsen)
Japan On A Budget: 43 Ultimate Tips On Saving Money While Traveling
The Perfect Kyoto Itinerary: 5 Days In Kyoto, Japan (+ Nara and Osaka)
Best Of Tokyo: The Perfect 5 Days In Tokyo, Japan
Osaka Day Trip From Kyoto: Best Things To Do In Osaka, Japan
