City in Kyushu, Japan
Photo: misijp, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Yufu (由布市) is a city in Oita Prefecture. The northwest section of the city contains the Yufuin (湯布院) district, which is famous as one of the best hot spring resorts in Japan.
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金鱗湖
A small lake (pond, really) at the east end of town, full of fish and flanked with art galleries, tea houses and the Shitanyu bath (below). Walk from the station to here, and you'll have seen most of what the town has to offer.
男池湧水群
Waterfall deep in the forest
You can hike to the top of this volcano (由布岳 Yufudake), see the crater and have a very nice view of the surroundings. Allow two hours to reach the crater (from 800m to 1500m). Then there is a junction, the left path leads to the west peak (由布岳西峰 1583m), the right one to the east peak (由布岳東峰 1580m). The east peak is an easy, although steep, walk but the west peak requires more climbing, there are chains to help you. There is also a path connecting the two peaks on the north of the crater but be cautious this section is more technical and requires some climbing knowledge, it is highly recommended to use the south trail for beginners. Be prepared for this long exhausting walk, all the common sense of Hiking applies. Allow 4 to 5 hours in total depending on which peaks you climb. There is nothing on the way, be sure to bring your own food and enough water.
湯平温泉
A small traditional hot springs village 15 kilometers away
金賞コロッケ
A simple deep-fried snack of minced meat and mashed potato it may be, but this particular "Gold Medal Croquette" was once chosen as the tastiest in all Japan. In addition to the original (¥160), there's a wide range of various flavors and toppings.
湯の岳庵
Great variety of Japanese food: Toriten, Grilled beef, sashimi.
由布まぶし心
Grilled beef served on rice.
旬菜鄙屋
Japanese beef served in boxes. Reservation necessary.
オーガニックキッチン&cafe自然食ゆうど
Organic food and vegetables, in the middle of the countryside.
湯布院カントリーロードユースホステル
Breakfast and dinner are available. Includes access to the small, pleasant onsen. Very limited access by bus. Take a taxi or walk 40 minutes from the JR station (some uphill). The owner offers a free ride to the station in the morning.
By plane
The nearest airport is in Oita, 55 minutes away by direct bus (on airplane arrivals, ¥1,550). Oita has flights to Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya and Seoul.
By train
Yufuin Station (由布院駅) is the main train station and serves as a central point for starting off in Yufuin.
By car
Get off at the Oita Expressway Yufuin Interchange. In peak tourist seasons, the most direct route to Kinrinko Lake (Route 206) often experiences severe traffic.
By bus
Yufuin's major bus hub is the Yufuin Ekimae Bus Center (由布院駅前バスセンター), tucked away behind a souvenir shop in front of the station.
By train
The JR Kyudai Line lazily loops through the city, but aside from Yufuin station itself does not come close to the hot spring area.
By horse or rickshaw
Horse carriages (辻馬車 tsujibasha) leave Yufuin station from March to December. Starts 10 times per day from 09:30 to 16:00 (8 times to 14:30 in December).
On foot
Yufuin can fairly easily be covered on foot.5-km stroll from the train station to Lake Kinrinko via Yufumi-dōri and Yunotsubo Kaidō.
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Oita · Regional · OIT
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