Yufuin · 由布院について
A compact guide to the town
Yufuin is a small mountain town in Ōita Prefecture, known for its quiet streets, hot springs, craft shops, and long views over the basin.
It has around 850 individual spring sources — one of the highest concentrations in Japan — fed by rainwater filtering through the surrounding mountains and heated by the geothermal activity of the Yufu and Kuju volcanoes.It is also culturally unique as an onsen town. In the 1950s and 60s, the locals — including the families behind Tama no Yu and Kamenoi Besso inns (two of the inns on this list) — made a deliberate set of decisions about keeping it human and local with no neon entertainment districts, no high-rise resort hotels, no loud commercial strips. The inns instead spread out across the basin in river bends and forests and hillsides rather than clustering together, which is why the town is largely kept as it has been.
Here is a list of places to see, things to do, and where to eat and drink in Yufuin. It is not exhaustive, but it is a good starting point for planning your visit. Open all spots in Google Maps →
Tourism
由布院駅 & YUFUiNFO
Yufuin Station Art Hall & Tourist Information · 由布市湯布院町川北8-5
Tourism
The JR Yufuin Station was designed by Arata Isozaki — one of the great architects of the 20th century, born in Ōita. The soaring wooden arches inside are extraordinary for a small rural station. The waiting room doubles as an art gallery. Next door is YUFUiNFO, the town's tourist information center. On the ground floor: maps, coin lockers, bicycle rental, and a luggage forwarding service called ゆふいんチッキ. On the second floor: a travel library of about 2,000 books and a viewing deck with a direct view of Mt. Yufu. Open 9:00–17:30, year-round.
湯の坪街道
Yunotsubo Kaido · the main shopping street
Tourism
From JR Yufuin Station, follow the tree-lined 由布見通り straight to 白滝橋, then continue along 湯の坪街道 — roughly 800 metres of souvenir shops, sweets, and small cafes. On a clear day, Mt. Yufu appears at the end of the road. When you need a break from the crowds, duck down a side street: a quiet path runs along the upper 大分川, where the sounds shift to just water and birds.
湯布院フローラルヴィレッジ
Yufuin Floral Village · 15 minute walk from Yufuin Station
Tourism
A village that recreates the picturesque atmosphere of the Cotswolds in England with whimsical architecture. The charming shopping complex features unique stores selling popular character merchandise, gifts, and specialty goods from around the world. There is an Owl Forest experience, a rose-themed goods store, and a cat cafe inspired by the Cheshire Cat. The whole complex is highly photogenic and often busy.
辻馬車
Tsuji Basha · horse-drawn carriage
Tourism
Immediately outside Yufuin Station, the horse-drawn carriage tour has become a popular attraction. The route takes about 50–60 minutes and passes by Bussanji Temple and Unagihime Shrine before returning to the station. The carriage seats about 9–10 people, and reservations can be made from 9:00 AM on the day of travel. Alternatively, you can take nolc, an EV that starts at the station, through Yufuin Flora House and Unagihime Shrine before returning to the station. Also 50 minutes.
昭和レトロテーマパーク 湯布院昭和館
Showa Retro Theme Park, Yufuin Showakan · 9:00 AM–5:00 PM · Adults ¥1,400
Tourism
A nostalgic theme park recreating the streets and culture of the Showa era — old candy shops, vintage signage, and household goods from the period on display. You can try pachinko, shooting, arcade, and other Showa-period entertainment for free. You can also try Showa-era school lunch. 15 min walk from Yufuin Station, takes an hour or two to walk around, and good for kitsch souvenirs.
九州自然動物公園アフリカンサファリ
African Safari Park · 電車・バスで約90分（乗り換えあり）/ 車で約60分
Tourism
日本最大級のサファリパーク。広大な草原に70種・約1,400頭羽の野生動物が生息しています。ジャングルバス（有料）に乗れば、野生動物に直接えさをあげることができる貴重な体験ができます。由布院からやや距離がありますが、車があれば十分日帰りで行ける範囲です。
高崎山自然動物園
Takasakiyama Natural Monkey Park · 電車・バスで約90分（乗り換えあり）/ 車で約60分
Tourism
野生のサルが自然の状態で生活をしており、えさやりも体験できます。動物園のサル山とは違い、檻もなく観光客のすぐそばまでやってきます。別府湾を一望する水族館「うみたまご」のすぐ隣にあるので、セットで立ち寄るのもおすすめです。
Temples and Shrines
佛山寺
Bussanji Temple · 由布市湯布院町川上1879
Temple
The oldest wooden building in Yufuin — a small Rinzai Zen temple founded in the Heian period, once a site of mountain worship on Mt. Yufu. Inside the grounds is a five-colored camellia tree designated as a natural monument. In October there are green ginkgo leaves and red cluster amaryllis flowers, and zazen and shakyo can be arranged by appointment.
大杵社
Oogoshya · 大分県由布市湯布院町川南746-19
Shrine
A small, unassuming shrine guarded by two ancient moss-covered komainu. The reason to come is the sacred cedar standing beside the main hall — over a thousand years old, a national natural monument, and extraordinary in person. You can touch it directly, and around the back of the trunk is a hollow large enough to hold three tatami mats.
宇奈岐日女神社
Unagihime Shrine
Shrine
There are a few different stories about this shrine's origins. The main hall sits in the center of a pond, with the whole setting in close harmony with its surroundings. The sound of running water is calming, and the shrine is enclosed by trees, giving it a noticeably different atmosphere from the area just outside.
Arts
ある風景
Aru Fukei · Cafe Gallery
Arts
A post-war farmhouse that was once a cowshed, transformed into a community cafe and gallery. Books, clothes, local groceries, art exhibitions, and irregular events make it a good place to linger.
鄭東珠 作品室
Chung Dongjoo Gallery · 由布市湯布院町川上1267-7
Arts
Right next to 空想の森 アルテジオ is this small gallery belonging to Chung Dongjoo, a Korean-Japanese artist living in Ōita. Calligraphy and works on paper are arranged quietly across two floors, with bold brushwork characters upstairs and ink landscape paintings below.
COMICO ART MUSEUM YUFUIN
Adults ¥1,700 · 9:30AM–5:00PM
Arts
A contemporary art museum showcasing works by some of Japan's most renowned artists. The striking black building, designed by Kengo Kuma, offers the rare opportunity to see works by artists including Yayoi Kusama, Takashi Murakami, and Yoshitomo Nara.
シャガール美術館
Chagall Museum/LA RUCHE Gallery & Shop · 9:00AM–5:30PM
Arts
Located by the Kinrinko Lake, this is a small museum that focuses on lithographs themed around the circus and the world of Chagall's art.
Shopping
HAUS
16 min walk from Yufuin station
Shopping
A curated shop featuring work by Oita Prefecture creators — traditional crafts, handmade ceramics, and thoughtful everyday objects that enrich daily life. Notable pieces include Koishiwara ware pottery (fired continuously for 300 years in Hita), ceramics by artist Ryoma Matsubara based in Usa, and mugs by Hiroshi Hayashi from his Kōryū kiln studio at the foot of Mt. Yufu. Also carries unique candles, incense holders, and the signature "taorendaruma" daruma dolls by furniture maker ID HOUSE. Open 10:00〜17:00, Closed on Thursdays.
クラフト館 蜂の巣
Craft Hall Hachi no Su
Shopping湯の坪街道
Off of Yunotsubo Street, this is a distinctive craft gallery and shop with an angular glass-and-timber structure, filled with local pottery, woodwork, and handmade objects. The building itself is worth seeing, and it is a good place to find something special to bring home.
アトリエときデザイン研究所
Atelier Toki Design Studio
Crafts
A workshop and shop nestled in a beautiful forest off the main street from Yufuin Station. Run by Tatsuo Tokimatsu, who studied under legendary industrial designer Yoshio Akioka, the studio crafts tableware, dishes, and cutlery from locally sourced wood. Every piece is touchable and beautiful — perfect if you love the natural character of untreated wood.
suiki
Reservation-only shop · 旅館・光の家
Shopping
A reservation-only exhibition and shop inside the ryokan 光の家, featuring antique tools and original items. The ryokan was built from a shell of a 40-year-old vacant house, brought to life with vintage furniture, fabrics, and tools rescued from the owner's grandparents' old home. The philosophy centers on finding joy in using things carefully over a long time—embracing both the beauty and inconvenience of living with intention.
古美術 五体投地
Gotai Toji · Antique & Fine Art Shop
Shopping
Located one block north of Yufuin Station's main street, this prestigious 古美術 (fine antiques) shop carries carefully curated pieces: Japanese and Buddhist art, contemporary paintings and sculpture, vintage furniture, and carefully selected 骨董品 (antiques). Worth a visit if you're hunting for something special.
藏拙
Zosetsu
Shopping
Located in Murata, features local Oita products curated with care: yuzu pepper, grain mustard, original blend coffee, iriko miso, and Theo Murata chocolate. The shop carries local artisan work alongside the inn's own label goods.
西国土産 鍵屋
Saikoku Dosan Kagiya · 9:00AM–7:00PM
Shopping
Located within the grounds of Kamenoi Besshu, the shop offers a curated selection of local products, from food items and seasonings to handmade crafts by artisans from across the prefecture. Their ohagi is very famous.
Crafts
ちりめん細工館 金鱗湖店
Chirimen Zaikukan · Kinrinko Shop
Crafts
A shop specializing in chirimen zaiku — traditional Japanese crepe-fabric crafts — including handmade dolls and accessories. It is an easy stop to duck into between stretches of walking, and the hands-on workshops are especially memorable.
湯布院 とうき
Yufuin Toki · electric wheel pottery experience
Crafts
A pottery studio offering Yufuin's popular hands-on ceramics experience. In about 90 minutes, you can shape a rice bowl, teacup, or plate, and the pieces are fired afterward and shipped to a domestic address later. A course for a group of four is 3,000 yen per person, and you also receive photos taken during your time there. Can be booked here.
ゆふいんフローラハウス
Yufuin Flora House · weaving, pressed flowers & strawberry picking
Crafts
A hands-on experience facility offering traditional loom weaving, pressed flower art, and strawberry picking. Under the guidance of staff, first-timers can weave their own fabric from scratch and take it home. The pressed flower workshop lets you make bookmarks, photo frames, and more using local wildflowers.
箸屋一膳 本店
Hashiya Ichizen · Chopstick workshop
Crafts
A chopstick specialist that transforms locally felled trees into handmade pairs, one by one. Each piece of wood takes over four years to dry and prepare before being shaped into chopsticks — the result is a lightness and flexibility that machine-made pairs can't match. Daily chopstick-carving workshops let you hand-carve your own pair from Yufuin cherry wood. One of a kind, and worth making time for.
Eating
不生庵
Fushoan · Kamenoi Bessō, soba restaurant
Eating
Features soba noodles sourced from Shinshu (Nagano Prefecture) with the freshest ingredients from Oita Prefecture. On clear days, you can dine on the beautiful terrace that overlooks the Yufuin basin toward the Kuju mountains. Super recommended!
CAFE LA RUCHE
Kinrinko · 9:00AM–4:30PM
Eating
A stylish cafe right on the edge of Kinrinko, with large windows looking out over the lake while you have home brewed coffee and freshly baked bread. Nice spot for a post-walk brunch or a small sweet break.
鞠智
Kukuchi · Yunotsubo Street, Cafe
Eating湯の坪街道
Located on the Yunotsubo Street, this former kominka (traditional Japanese house) now houses a cafe, confectionery shop, and soba noodle restaurant. Behind the shop is a lush green lawn and biotope. Their signature "dorayaki" (red bean paste pancake) is hand-baked one by one on a copper plate, and you can enjoy freshly baked dorayaki. The "Mont Blanc dorayaki," made with seasonal ingredients, is the shop's signature item, and lines form as soon as it opens. The cafe next to the confectionery shop serves single-origin coffee, and you can also enjoy freshly baked dorayaki inside. Homemade ginger ale and "Kuroge Wagyu croquettes" are sold at the takeout counter.
山家料理 湯の岳庵
Yamaga-ryori Yunotakean · Kamenoi Bessō · ¥1,500–3,000
Eating
A luxurious lunch spot inside Kamenoi Bessō for savoring local seasonal vegetables, river fish, and local chicken from the mountain village. For lunch, try the "Charcoal-Grilled Beef Steak Rice Bowl," which has an elegant, melt-in-your-mouth flavor and is very filling. Enjoy it slowly while gazing at the beautiful garden that changes with the season.
茶寮天井桟敷
Saryō Tenjō Sajiki · Kamenoi Bessō
Eating
Also inside Kamenoi Bessō is a space created by relocating and renovating the attic of a sake brewery from the late Edo period. Among the many dessert options, the recommended choice is the signature "Mont Yufu." Inspired by Mount Yufu, the cream cheese and fresh cream represent the winter mountain, while powdered sugar symbolizes the snow. The rich creaminess, the sweetness of the raisins, and the fragrant aroma of rum create a perfect harmony. It's an excellent treat that pairs well with coffee.
由布院うまいもん研究所
Yufuin Umaimon Kenkyuujo · Yunotsubo Street
Eating湯の坪街道
A wellknown takeout spot on the Yunotsubo street known for Bungo beef nigiri served on an edible cracker base. Enjoy as a snack with some beer.
茶・Cha GOEMON
Goemon · Yunotsubo Street
Eating湯の坪街道
Another spot along Yunotsubo street, known for the Yufu Mont Blanc and its pudding. Specialized in matcha.
由布院ミルヒ
Yufuin Milch · Yunotsubo Street
Eating湯の坪街道
Known for its three-layer cheesecake and other sweets made with 100% Yufuin-produced milk. The warm version on Yunotsubo Kaido is especially worth trying.
パンとエスプレッソとゆふいんと
Pan to Espresso to Yufuin to · Yunotsubo Street
Eating湯の坪街道
A bakery with amazing views famous in Japan for their distinctive breads loaded with chocolate and fruit. The shop's signature item is "Mu," a steamed milk bread served warm in a basket with honey, anko, and jam.
Bars
タンズバー
Tan's Bar
Bar
Located on the grounds of Murata, the bar is less a bar in the usual sense than a lounge built around sound. In the afternoon it focuses on classical music and sweets; in the evening the tone shifts to jazz.
Bar Stir
Bar Stir · 18:30–23:30
Bar
A relaxed bar just a short walk from Yufuin Station, known for original cocktails built around Japanese ingredients like shochu and matcha.
Bar Barolo
Bar Barolo · Wine bar
Bar
An authentic bar inside a ryokan with antique furniture and a substantial fireplace. The wine cellar is stocked mainly with Italian bottles, and the room has a mature, handsome atmosphere.
Nature
金鱗湖
Kinrinko · Golden-Scale Lake
Nature
The name comes from a 19th-century scholar who saw the scales of the fish glittering gold in the late afternoon sun. The best time to come is early morning, when mist rises off the surface and the lake feels most quiet.
狭霧台
Sagiridai Observatory
Nature
From an altitude of about 680 metres, this scenic spot offers a panoramic view of the town of Yufuin. It is especially beautiful in the morning, when sea fog can drift through the basin below.
Events in October
由布院牛喰い絶叫大会
Yufuin Beef-Eating Screaming Contest
Event
Every autumn, a hillside pasture fills with people in green conical hats eating Yufuin beef BBQ and then screaming as loud as they can. It is exactly what it sounds like and it is apparently wonderful.
Onsens
山のホテル夢想園
Yama no Hotel Musouen
Onsen
A relaxing hot spring with an open-air bath overlooking Mt. Yufu. The women's open-air bath is especially spacious, and the hotel also offers a cafe with homemade pudding after your soak.