What to do in Yufu

Activities, attractions and tours

A traditional Japanese street with wooden buildings and a crowd of people.
A group of people standing on a bridge overlooking a lush green valley with a mountain in the background.
A winding road through a lush valley with a mountain in the background.
A traditional Japanese gate with intricate woodwork and a sign above it.
A traditional wooden house with a red umbrella, surrounded by lush greenery and a stone pathway.

Yufu Tourist Attractions & Activities

If you’re searching for an exciting holiday, count on Expedia.com.au to help you find interesting attractions, enlightening experiences, and tons of other fun things to do in Yufu . From first-rate tours to incredible deals on sightseeing trips – our extensive selection of local things to do and places to visit is just a few clicks away.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re travelling alone, alongside your main squeeze, or with your favourite friends or family members, Expedia has the inside scoop on what to see and do while in this corner of the world. And our search tool makes it simple to score the best deals around. So regardless of if you are on a tight budget or prefer to spare no expense, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for by browsing over activities in Yufu, Oita Prefecture.

The intuitive booking system here on Expedia.com.au makes planning your holiday easier—and more affordable—than ever before. And not only can you discover all the best Yufu attractions from , but you can also book flights, hire cars, and reserve hotel rooms all in just a few moments. A world of wonder awaits you and your travelling companions. Count on Expedia.com.au to help you plan the holiday of your dreams, and you’ll have the time of your life.

Activities

Become a Local! A Walking Tour of Arts, Crafts & Onsen Culture

Become a Local! A Walking Tour of Arts, Crafts & Onsen Culture

AU$98
per adult
Become a Local! A Walking Tour of Arts, Crafts & Onsen Culture
Beppu: Nordic Walking, Wagyu Lunch, and Yufuin Tour

Beppu: Nordic Walking, Wagyu Lunch, and Yufuin Tour

AU$222
per adult
Beppu: Nordic Walking, Wagyu Lunch, and Yufuin Tour
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Top places to visit

1. Kinrin Lake

When mist creates a cloud over the surface of the warm water, Kinrin Lake seems like a portal to another world, suffused with a potent magic. Fed by a volcanic spring at its base and other springs whose cooler streams pour in, the lake stays warm year round with the same geothermal energy that feeds the onsen baths throughout Yufuin. Knowing how it works doesn’t make it any less magical in early morning, when the contrast between hot water and cold air creates the lake’s signature fog. Start the day here to be full of the relaxing energy that makes Yufuin such a popular destination.
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A calm lake surrounded by mountains and trees.

2. Mount Yufu

Yufuin’s natural protector, Mount Yufu, is one of the town’s most distinctive sights with its camel-backed peak. The perfect backdrop for camera shots of Yufuin’s main street, Mount Yufu is also a great place for hiking. The walk is rather long, at 5 miles (8 kilometers), taking about 4 or 5 hours round-trip. Do the moderate hike relatively easily with a basic level of fitness and strong motivation.
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A green hillside with scattered trees and a mountain in the background.

3. Showa Retro Park

Although the Showa Retro Park is a blast from the past, in many ways it celebrates change. It is seemingly dedicated to the entire Showa Period, during the reign of Emperor Hirohito, from 1926 to 1989. In particular it celebrates the Showa 30s (1955-1965), an era of radical shifts in Japanese history.
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A vintage car, a large blue robot, and various signs in a shop.

4. Yufuin Stained Glass Museum

Everything in the Yufuin Stained Glass Museum, from the bricks to the furniture, was imported from Europe. Japan’s first full-scale stained-glass museum is a celebration both of this distinctly European art form and of European culture more generally, perfect for a town modeled on the continent’s spa towns. Visit for the art and the pleasing cultural dissonance.
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A room with shelves of colorful lamps, a stained glass window with a bird, and a table with a candle.

5. Yufuin Retro Motor Museum

The founder of Yufuin Retro Motor Museum, a town local, has amassed quite an impressive collection of motor vehicles. With a collection of 70 cars, 30 motorcycles, tricycles, small airplanes and retro buses, he is one of the region’s biggest amateurs and opened the museum in 1988. Get a sense both of his own idiosyncratic tastes and the history of Japan’s mechanized transport at a museum right off Yufuin’s main street.
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A vintage car exhibit with a checkered floor, Route 66 sign, and a Datsun sign.

6. Bussanji Temple

With its heavy thatched roof, Bussanji Temple announces its heritage at first glance. Though the history is hazy, legend says that a monk founded the shrine more than a thousand years ago after receiving an oracle at Kirishima Shrine, at the southern end of the island. He carved a statue of Kannon bodhisattva and placed it on Mount Yufu, where a monastery grew up around it. There it remained until the late 16th century, when an earthquake brought the statue down to the valley and the people of Yufuin built a temple where it fell. Sense the deep spirituality of the space, which has been a center of religious life in the village for a very long time.
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A traditional Japanese building with a tiled roof and wooden beams.

Recommended things to do in Yufu

Number of things to do
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Top 5 things to do
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What to do in Yufu

Stay near popular Yufu attractions

A calm lake surrounded by mountains and trees.

Kinrin Lake

8.4/10 (658 reviews)
Kinrin Lake enchants visitors with its ethereal morning mists, created by hot springs mixing with fresh water. Stroll the lakeside promenade at dawn to witness this natural spectacle at its most magical.
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Our guide on where to stay in Yufu

Find the best Yufu areas for the activities you enjoy most.
A traditional Japanese house by a river, surrounded by lush greenery and mountains.

Yufuin Onsen

Unique features of Yufuin Onsen include the hot springs and lake views. Make a stop by Kyushu Yufuin Folk Village or Kinrin Lake while you're exploring the area.

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Yufu

A nighttime street with illuminated signs and storefronts, including a sushi restaurant.

Beppu

A traditional Japanese house by a river, surrounded by lush greenery and mountains.

Oita

A vibrant flower field with various colors and green trees in the background.

Taketa

A historic train station with a steam locomotive, a large building with a curved roof, and a grassy field.

Kusu

Frequently asked questions

Is Yufu worth visiting?
Famous for its nature and views, discovering fun things to do in Yufu is a cinch. Don't forget to add Takegawara Onsen to your itinerary while here.
How do I spend a day in Yufu?
Once you've visited top attractions like Takegawara Onsen and Kijima Kogen Park, spend some time exploring the retail and food options in Yufu.
What is the top tourist attraction in Yufu?
The top tourist attraction in Yufu is Takegawara Onsen, so make sure to include it on your sightseeing agenda.
Is three days enough to stay in Yufu?
Three days in Yufu is plenty of time to visit the city's main attractions. Many travellers book for two days on average. Kijima Kogen Park, Yunohira Hot Spring and Shidaka Lake are highly rated sights. Want to discover more? Hang around a little longer to visit nearby hotspots such as Beppu.
What are some activities to do in Yufu with kids?
Whether you're holidaying with young explorers or adventure-seeking teens, an itinerary filled with cool activities makes a big difference. Take a look at our recommendations for what to do in Yufu with kids.
What to do in Yufu for adults?
Whether you're a food lover, culture enthusiast or outdoor adventurer, there are plenty of things to do in Yufu for adults including Yufuin Trick Art Meikyukan Museum.
Are there free things to do in Yufu?
One of the easiest ways to find free things to do in Yufu is to speak with a local tour guide. You'll get insider tips on cool neighbourhoods, parks and other attractions you can enjoy without reaching for your wallet. Shidaka Lake is one sight that doesn't charge an admission fee.