After six previous trips exploring Japan’s more well-trodden regions like Kansai and Kanto, I was ready to see a different side of the country. During my latest visit, I finally made my way to Kyushu, a region that had been sitting on my travel list for nearly a decade.
It was first recommended to me by my cousin, who knew I was a sucker for greenery, peaceful scenery, and slow-paced towns. One place she specifically told me not to miss? Yufuin Onsen.
She described it as quiet, lush, and super relaxing—basically everything I love in a destination. And she wasn’t wrong! Thought she never mentioned how quirky it was going to be (you’ll see why as you go through this guide).
Despite its popularity with domestic tourists these days, Yufuin still delivers on charm. Between its traditional onsen culture, whimsical themed shops, and ridiculously scenic setting at the base of Mount Yufu, this little hot spring town quickly became a top highlight of my road trip of Northern Kyushu.
If you’re curious about what makes it so special, here’s how to spend the perfect day in Yufuin—even if you’re only there for a short visit.
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YUFUIN: HOTEL SPOTLIGHT
Amane Resort Seikai
Wake up facing the ocean as you soak in your private open-air onsen. This is the perfect 5-star hotel to pair with your trip to Beppu.
If your motivation for staying at a ryokan is the food, this resort is ideal for gourmands. The meals included with your half-board stay? Immaculate.
How To Spend A Day At Yufuin Onsen
Start your morning at Cafe La Ruche
This café sits right on the edge of Lake Kinrin, making it hands down the most picturesque coffee spot in Yufuin. It’s French-inspired, with a small but thoughtful menu of pastries and breakfast sets that pair perfectly with your morning drink.
If you stayed overnight at a ryokan, chances are breakfast is already covered—so come here just for the view and a peaceful moment before the tour bus crowds arrive.
Walk around Lake Kinrin
Lake Kinrin is one of Yufuin’s major draws. It’s walkable, photogenic, and especially tranquil when the lake is crowd-free as the morning mist hovers above the water.
It’s peaceful early in the day, but I highly recommend visiting before 10:30am. Once the tour buses roll in, the whole vibe shifts and the serenity fades quick! Come early and you’ll get that quintessential “peace by the lake” moment.
Stroll along Yunotsubo Kaido
This is the liveliest stretch in Yufuin, full of quirky little souvenir stores, sweets shops, and snack stalls.
You’ll find character-themed areas like Snoopy Village (comprised of a few shops and a Snoopy-themed cafe) and a Miffy bakery, plus shops selling everything from cat-themed goods to retro Japan merch and fresh honey.
We picked up chicken karaage at the Kichigo snack shack and freshly squeezed lemonade at a random lemonade stand along the way—both were absolutely excellent!
We also considered grabbing matcha and coffee at many points throughout the day, but honestly, we were too busy eating everything else. Needless to say, it was a delightful stroll.
Explore Yufuin Floral Village
It’s honestly so quirky that Yufuin even has something like this, but I am here for it. Yufuin Floral Village is a whimsical area of town looks like it was pulled out of a storybook, with cottage architecture modeled after the English Cotswolds.
We came expecting cute photo ops—but didn’t expect just how many Studio Ghibli-themed stores there would be! For the most part, each little cottage featured a differnet Ghibli movie, but some were organized by the type of product (hand towels, stuffies, etc.).
There was a Harry Potter themed store and even an owl meet-and-greet establishment where you can take pics with all sorts of owls. There was even an area with animals (rabbits, guinea pigs, and goats).
It was so random and kitschy, but it’s a total dream come true for kids, Ghibli lovers, and fantasy nerds like me!
Lunch at Yufumabushi Shin
A few steps away from Lake Kinrin will bring you to Yufumabushi Shin, the absolute best place to try one of Yufuin’s local specialties, Bungo beef!
Bungo beef is a premium variety of wagyu from Oita Prefecture. It’s so tender and a must-try while you’re in town (especially if you’re someone who lives for trying regional cuisine as you travel throughout Japan).
After waiting for about 30-45 minutes in line during the lunch rush (this place was super popular!), we finally got seated.
I ordered the unagi lunch set, while Papu went for the Bungo beef set. After sneaking a bite of his, I immediately wished I had done the same! The beef was so rich, tender, and full of flavor—if you’re only eating here once, skip all the other protein options and go all in on the Bungo beef.
Follow it up with dessert
Yufuin is full of treat shops, so take your pick. We encountered lots of little dessert shops selling soft serve, kakigori, dango, ice cold drinks, etc. so a cold treat is never too far away from you.
We ended up getting matcha soft serve at the first coffee shop we passed. Little did we know, it was the one and only matcha soft serve we would get during our entire two weeks in Japan!
Yufuin Showa Museum
This was yet another attraction that I was surprised to find in an onsen town. Yufuin really goes all in on its themed areas, I’ll say that much!
The Yufuin Showa Museum recreates a nostalgic 1950s Japanese townscape. From the outside, it doesn’t look like much—but don’t be fooled. Once you step inside, there are two full levels packed with recreated Showa-era scenes and a surprisingly large number of rooms to explore.
You’ll walk through vintage homes, tiny bars, barbershops, doctor’s offices, public bathhouses, classrooms, and kitchens—each filled with authentic objects from the time period.
Admission is 1200 yen for adults, and it’s well worth it if you’re into retro aesthetics, Showa history, or just want to soak up a bit of old-school Japan. Plus, there are some lighthearted activities too: play vintage arcade games, take photos in retro costumes, or shoot a game of billiards!
👉 Pro Tip: If you’re more into cars, head to the nearby Retro Motor Museum instead. This museum features a quirky private collection of vintage cars, including a replica of the McLaren MP4/5. You can even sit in an old Fiat or a classic bus for fun photo ops. Admission is 800 yen per person–you’ll want to give yourself at least 30 minutes here.
Footbath Cafe (足湯カフェ湯布院)
Footbath cafes are pretty common in onsen towns throughout Japan. They are a fun and relaxing way to rest your feet and re-up on caffeine after all the walking you do!
For 1500 yen, you get a towel, a drink, and a seat at their hot spring footbath. If you’re short on time but still want to dip into Yufuin’s bathing culture, this is a low effort option.
Soak in an onsen
You can’t visit a hot spring town and not soak in hot spring water at least once.
Bathing culture is deeply rooted in Japanese daily life, not just for cleanliness but for relaxation, social connection, and health—many believe the mineral-rich waters can help with everything from muscle pain to poor circulation. Experience it for yourself at either a public bathhouse or at a ryokan!
If you’re staying in Yufuin overnight, book a ryokan with a private onsen—many of them offer private baths or in-room baths that provide all the privacy you need (and work great if you happen to have tattoos).
If you’re only visiting for the day, ryokans can still be an option for you! Many of these bathhouses offer day-use passes to their facilities.
This is exactly what we did during our last trip to Yufuin. Despite being based in Beppu, we rented a private onsen at Sendou Firefly Inn for 3 hours (it cost us 2000 yen). It was a great way to experience Yufuin as it should be experienced.
There are also plenty of public bathhouses (sentō) you can use for super duper cheap instead. Most of the time at a sentō, you’ll need to bring your own towels and toiletries.
With that said, we usually opt to bathe in the comfort of our own room at a ryokan whenever we visit onsen towns. If you’re hesitant about communal bathing, a private onsen is well worth the extra money!
Stroll along the side streets
Wandering off the main shopping streets is one of the best ways to experience the more authentic side of Yufuin.
The views we saw while walking from the Yufuin Station area back to our car by Kinrin Lake were out-of-this-world stellar! I can’t count how many times I stopped to take photos of the countryside despite the sprinkling and massive winds (a storm was definitely brewing).
Yufuin’s side streets are lined with traditional ryokan inns, old homes, and canals—offering a much calmer (and less crowded) walk compared to the more touristy shopping streets.
As we walked, we couldn’t help but to ooh and ahhh at the glimpses of Mt. Yufu peeking out behind the rooftops! The greenery that surrounded the town made it feel like we were really in the countryside.
If you’re staying overnight, this area is especially peaceful in the early morning or after dinner when the crowds have disappeared.
Dinner at your ryokan (or nearby)
Many ryokan in Yufuin offer half-board stays, which means dinner is included—typically a multi-course kaiseki meal featuring seasonal and local ingredients. If you’ve got that booked, you’re in for a relaxing, no-effort dining experience after a full day of exploring!
If your accommodation doesn’t include dinner or you’re just looking to eat out, there are a few spots in Yufuin that stay open into the evening. Wasaku and Yururin are two well-rated restaurants that are open for dinner service (a rare thing in this mostly daytime town).
You’ll find more dinner choices near Yufuin Station, but keep in mind that many places in Yufuin close early—especially in the off-season.
If you’re staying in Beppu like we were, it’s easy to make your way back after sunset and end your night with dinner near Beppu Station instead.
Where To Base Yourself: Beppu or Yufuin?
If budget were no concern, I’d absolutely choose to stay in Yufuin over Beppu.
Beppu has a city-like feel, whereas Yufuin is more compact, more pedestrian-friendly, more scenic, and has that cozy onsen village charm that makes it feel like a proper escape.
That said, Yufuin accommodations tend to book up quickly and are generally more expensive since many of the accommodations are ryokan (traditional inns).
Since we planned our trip a bit last-minute, most of the Yufuin stays were already full, which is how we ended up basing ourselves in Beppu. And honestly? It worked out fine because we had a rental car with us.
Beppu is much larger, has a ton of food and onsen options, and is a great home base for exploring both towns. It’s also better connected for day trips. With that said, it just lacks that quintessential onsen village feeling.
If you’re someone who values convenience and doesn’t necessarily need to stay in a ryokan, Beppu is the more practical choice. However, if you’re after a slower, more picturesque setting and are willing to splurge, go with Yufuin.
Planning Your Trip To Japan?
Here are a few other useful travel guides to help you plan the perfect trip to Japan.
Kyushu Region
- 10 Reasons Kyushu Is Japan’s Best-Kept Secret: Volcanoes, Onsen, and More!
- 7 Best Ryokans With Private Onsen In Yufuin, Japan
- 15 Unmissable Things To Do In Beppu For First-Timers
- 7 Best Ryokans In Beppu, Japan (With Private Onsen)
- 10 Amazing Onsen Towns In Japan To Visit On Your Next Trip
