Yufuin Onsen Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Yufuin Onsen
Yufuin Onsen
Yufuin Onsen
Yufuin Onsen
Yufuin Onsen

Experience the very relaxing Japanese custom of communal bathing in a hot spring onsen at the foot of Mount Yufu.

While the Yufuin district offers plenty of things to do, the highlight for most tourists is a visit to Yufuin Onsen. The hot springs area uses water heated naturally by geothermal activity. Join visiting international and Japanese tourists as well as locals relaxing for several hours in the comforting and curative surroundings.

The onsen temperature is about 105 F (40 C). The natural waters typically contain numerous minerals thought to provide health benefits. Come here to seek temporary relief from diabetes, gout, constipation, obesity and stress. Some waters are blue in colour and said to be helpful for moisturizing skin.

Learn general etiquette rules for onsen before you book your visit to help decide where to go. Some spots prohibit anyone with a tattoo from entering the baths. Many onsens separate bathing areas by gender and require bathing in the nude, no swimsuits allowed. Be sure to bring hair ties or a headband if needed so your hair does not fall into the water. Always shower with soap and rinse well before entering an onsen. Leave your phone and camera in a locker and simply relax in the calming waters.

Yufuin Onsen is not just a single site but actually the large resort area of Yufuin district near Mount Yufu and Lake Kinrin. Numerous individual establishments offer a broad range of amenities from humble to extravagant. Some allow only locals. Others are open to tourists staying overnight. Still others permit day visits.

For pure luxury, select an overnight stay at an onsen with gourmet dining, including the tenderest Japanese beef. Enjoy views of the mountain and lake, particularly enchanting when morning mist fills the valley.

The area has many festivals. Book your onsen visit well in advance to be present during the Yufuin Music Festival in July, the Yufuin Film Festival in August or the very unusual Yufuin Eating Beef Screaming Competition in October when hundreds of participants eat Oita Bungo beef and shout inspirational thoughts, judged on quality and loudness.

Get to Yufuin Onsen easily by taking the train to Yufuin Station and walking for about 10 minutes.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Yufuin Onsen Hotel Deals

Yufuin Yawaraginosato Yadoya

Yufuin Yawaraginosato Yadoya

3 out of 5
2717-5 Yufuincho Kawakami, Yufu, Oita-ken
The price is AU$304 per night from 14 Oct to 15 Oct
AU$304
14 Oct - 15 Oct
Stay at this 3-star ryokan in Yufu. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and hot springs on site. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition in ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (844 reviews)
"Room is very clean. Staff are nice. Spa is enjoyable. Small gift was unexpected but making you feel you were very welcome."

Reviewed on 7 Sept 2025

Yufuin Yawaraginosato Yadoya
Hoshino Resorts KAI Yufuin

Hoshino Resorts KAI Yufuin

3 out of 5
398 Kawakami Yufuin, Yufu, Oita
The price is AU$901 per night from 27 Oct to 28 Oct
AU$901
27 Oct - 28 Oct
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Yufu. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Kinrin Lake and Kijima Kogen Park are located ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (122 reviews)
"Lovely resort with nice landscaping. Room with private onsen was well furnished. Dinner and breakfast was included in price."

Reviewed on 20 June 2025

Hoshino Resorts KAI Yufuin
Yufuin Ryokan Seikoen

Yufuin Ryokan Seikoen

3.5 out of 5
1208-1 Yufuincho, Kawakami, Yufu, Oita
The price is AU$351 per night from 16 Oct to 17 Oct
AU$351
16 Oct - 17 Oct
Stay at this 3.5-star ryokan in Yufu. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and hot springs on site. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (859 reviews)
"Amazing service all around. We were greeted straight away, shown to our room and the available facilities. The ryoken was very peaceful and clean. Dinner was 10/10 and we had lovely onsens to enjoy."

Reviewed on 19 Apr 2025

Yufuin Ryokan Seikoen
Yufuin Baien Garden Resort

Yufuin Baien Garden Resort

3.5 out of 5
2106-2 Yufuincho Kawakami, Yufu, Oita
The price is AU$292 per night from 20 Oct to 21 Oct
AU$292
20 Oct - 21 Oct
Stay at this 3.5-star ryokan in Yufu. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (380 reviews)
Great place to stay in Yufuin
"Beautiful, traditional Japanese style rooms provide an authentic experience. We enjoyed the breakfast. They did their best to accomodate my wife's gluten free diet needs. The family onsens were a nice option for privacy."

Reviewed on 2 Oct 2025

Yufuin Baien Garden Resort
Yufuin Onsen Yufuin Kotobuki Hananosho

Yufuin Onsen Yufuin Kotobuki Hananosho

3.5 out of 5
2900-5 Yufuincho Kawakami, Yufu, Oita-ken
Fully refundable
The price is AU$282 per night from 15 Oct to 16 Oct
AU$282
15 Oct - 16 Oct
Stay at this 3.5-star ryokan in Yufu. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and hot springs on site. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (480 reviews)
"Great place, very friendly staff, food is very delicious and the private outdoor hot tub is great!"

Reviewed on 30 Sept 2025

Yufuin Onsen Yufuin Kotobuki Hananosho
Yufuin Akarinoyado

Yufuin Akarinoyado

2.5 out of 5
Kawakami 2915-15, Yufuin, Yufu, Oita
The price is AU$144 per night from 17 Oct to 18 Oct
AU$144
17 Oct - 18 Oct
Stay at this guesthouse in Yufu. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and hot springs on site. Popular attractions Kinrin Lake and Kijima Kogen Park are located ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (147 reviews)
"We booked a western style room with ensuite. The room is suited to people younger and smaller than us. Staff were friendly and carried our bags up to the room for us. Beds were too hard for us (we like firm) and chairs too short for comfort. The toiletseat was toosmall for a large male. None of these ..."

Reviewed on 23 May 2025

Yufuin Akarinoyado
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.



Yufuin Onsen Travel Guide

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