Yufuin Onsen, Onsenkyō in Yufu, Japan
Yufuin Onsen is a hot spring resort in Yufu, Oita Prefecture, on the island of Kyushu in Japan. The town sits in a flat valley surrounded by mountains, with Mount Yufu rising as a double-peaked volcano to the north, and offers a mix of traditional inns, outdoor baths, a small lake, and a pedestrian shopping street.
Yufuin developed from a quiet farming village into one of Japan's most visited hot spring destinations during the 20th century, with local leaders actively promoting tourism after World War II. Visitors began arriving in greater numbers from nearby cities, and some traditional inns in the area date back to the early 1900s.
The main street of Yufuin is lined with small art galleries, cafés, and souvenir shops that visitors stroll through at a slow pace. This walking culture gives the town a relaxed, everyday feel that sets it apart from larger resort towns.
Most of the town's sights, including Lake Kinrinko and the main shopping street, are within walking distance of the train station, making the center easy to explore on foot. For more remote baths or the area around Mount Yufu, bicycles are available to rent near the station.
The Shitanyu bath near Lake Kinrinko is one of the few public baths open to all visitors for a very small fee, with a view of the green lakeside. Tattoos are allowed in most baths here, which is less common across Japan and makes the town a destination for visitors who are turned away elsewhere.
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