The city hall of Yufu in Oita Prefecture

Hidden Japan Guide

Yufu Travel Guide: Hot Springs beneath Mount Yufu

11/08/2026

Written by:

A practical English guide to Yufu in Oita: Yufuin and the surrounding onsen valleys beneath Mount Yufu.

Operational details such as opening hours, admission fees, and train times can change. Prefer official pages and reconfirm before you travel (sources checked on 08 November 2026).

Why visit

Yufu is a city in central Oita that includes the onsen resort of Yufuin, set in a highland basin beneath the twin peaks of Mount Yufu. Steam, cafes, galleries and ryokan fill the main streets, while quieter valleys nearby keep a rural feel.
Travellers come for bathing, for walks to Kinrin Lake and for the mountain backdrop that makes the town one of Kyushu’s best-known hot spring destinations. It is busier than Beppu’s hillside districts, with a boutique atmosphere.
Yufu is reachable from Oita and Fukuoka by limited express and highway bus, and works well for a night or two of onsen stays.

Top places and highlights

Mount Yufu rising above the onsen valleys — Photo: Suicasmo · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

A firefighters headquarters building in Yufu, Oita — Photo: Psjk2106 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Yufuin streets

Cafes, craft shops and ryokan along the main onsen avenue.

Mount Yufu

The twin-peaked volcano above the basin.

Kinrin Lake

A small lake walk popular at dawn and dusk.

Highland onsen

Public baths and hotel springs across the city.

Food and drink

O
i
t
a
f
o
o
d
i
n
c
l
u
d
e
s
t
o
r
i
t
e
n
,
f
r
e
s
h
v
e
g
e
t
a
b
l
e
s
,
l
o
c
a
l
b
e
e
f
a
n
d
s
a
k
e
.
Y
u
f
u
i
n
h
a
s
c
a
f
e
s
a
n
d
r
e
s
t
a
u
r
a
n
t
s
a
i
m
e
d
a
t
v
i
s
i
t
o
r
s
;
q
u
e
u
e
s
f
o
r
m
a
t
p
o
p
u
l
a
r
s
p
o
t
s
o
n
w
e
e
k
e
n
d
s
.

Getting there and around

Y
u
f
u
i
n
s
t
a
t
i
o
n
i
s
o
n
t
h
e
J
R
K
y
u
d
a
i
l
i
n
e
,
w
i
t
h
l
i
m
i
t
e
d
e
x
p
r
e
s
s
e
s
f
r
o
m
H
a
k
a
t
a
a
n
d
O
i
t
a
.
H
i
g
h
w
a
y
b
u
s
e
s
a
l
s
o
s
e
r
v
e
t
h
e
t
o
w
n
.
T
h
e
c
e
n
t
r
e
i
s
w
a
l
k
a
b
l
e
;
s
o
m
e
o
u
t
e
r
o
n
s
e
n
n
e
e
d
a
t
a
x
i
o
r
b
u
s
.

Where to stay

Best time to visit

Practical tips

Popular cafes have long waits on weekends.
Mountain weather changes quickly.
Some footbaths are outdoor; dress for the cold in winter.

Suggested day-trip outline

Morning: arrive at Yufuin station.
Late morning: the main street and a footbath.
Lunch: a cafe or local set meal.
Afternoon: Kinrin Lake and a museum or gallery.
Late afternoon: check into a ryokan and bathe.
Evening: dinner at the inn.

Before you go

Timetables, fares, admission fees, and seasonal access rules can change. Check the official tourism and transport sites linked below for the latest information before you travel.

Explore More of Japan

Published guides that pair with this one:

Browse every Kyushu guide on this site for the rest of the region.

Sources

city.yufu.oita.jp (checked 2026-11-08)
visit-oita.jp (checked 2026-11-08)