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Yufuin-onsen Hot Spring Yufuin-onsen Hot Spring

ITINERARIES The Hot Springs of Oita Refresh body, mind and spirit in this pristine corner of Kyushu

Aptly named “Onsen Prefecture,” Oita is a lush corner on the island of Kyushu, where every minute, gallons and gallons of steaming-hot, mineral-rich water emerges from its springs.

Oita may seem out of the way, but 27 flights fly in from the major cities of Honshu each day. Restore your energy levels by immersing yourself in open-air baths in the countryside, dine on abundant, fresh seafood, wild game and vegetables, and marvel at mysterious, ancient temples.

Highlights

    Explore the hot spring town of Yufuin by horse-drawn carriage, rickshaw or vintage motorcar
    Try delicious, healthy local seafood steamed over piping hot springs

How to Get There

From Tokyo: 2 hours 40 minutes

Flights connect Tokyo Haneda Airport to Oita Airport (1 hour 35 minutes). Take the Oita Kotsu Kamenoi Express Bus at Oita Airport Bus Stop for 55 minutes to Yufuin Station Bus Center.

Day 1
Yufuin The quaint, hot spring town of Yufuin is a pleasure to explore

In recent years, Yufuin has benefited from careful urban planning to retain its character without becoming overly touristic. It's ideal for a thoroughly relaxed hot spring retreat, and you will also find the galleries and workshops of painters, potters, and craftspeople who have been drawn to the idyllic lifestyle here.

Besides natural hot springs, the stunning natural surroundings offer fantastic hiking and cycling opportunities. The 1,500-meter-high Mt. Yufu is a satisfying climb, and in the town and its environs, there are horse-drawn carriages, rickshaws and other transport options available. Be sure to drop in the several art museums as well.

15 minutes

Hot springs at Yufuin Relax in one of the many classic baths

While there are plenty of bathing facilities to choose from in Yufuin , the outdoor baths at Sansuikan and Musouen are highly recommended. Both of these inns allow non-staying guests to use their facilities for a fee. For those keen to preserve their modesty, the Kua-ju Yufuin is swimsuit-only. As you wander around the town, you will also notice the several foot spas for anyone to use freely.

Kan no Jigoku Onsen, an Edo-period bathhouse where the spring water is kept at only 13 to 14 degrees, is an unconventional option. But there are saunas available to warm up in afterward.

7 minutes

Lake Kinrin Dramatic mist from this hot and cold lake

The Yunotsubo Kaido is a scenic route that connects Yufuin town to Lake Kinrin on its outskirts. The streets are packed with quirky craft shops and stalls selling delectable local bites and fresh farm produce. Self-service ice cream vending machines are a welcome presence during the hotter months here.

Lake Kinrin is unusual in that its waters bubble up from both from hot and cold springs beneath the surface. Come in the early morning after the rains while it is still cool and you will be treated to a beautiful, misty spectacle.

7 minutes

Walk to Yufuin Nishi Tozanguchi (West Mt. Yufu Trailhead)

Mt. Yufu Hike to the top at 1,583 meters

The mountain with a double-peaked summit that you will spot from Yufuin is that of Mt. Yufu . There are several hiking trails, one which is a short walk from Lake Kinrin , the Yufuin Nishi Tozanguichi (west trailhead).

Day 2

1 hour

Take the Kamenoi Bus from Yufuin Station to Beppu

Beppu The largest number of hot springs in Japan

Located one and a half hours from Yufuin by bus, Beppu is a larger and more developed resort town compared to Yufuin, but worth visiting nonetheless. The first thing you will notice as you catch the first glimpses of Beppu’s skyline are the dozens of rising plumes of steam—not from industry, but from hot springs. Not all of these are necessarily fit for bathing, however: as you will discover at the impressive, so-called Hells of Beppu.

Try jigokumushi cuisine, seafood and vegetables that are cooked over hot springs in bamboo steamers. Line-caught mackerel is a specialty here, known as seki-aji and seki-saba.

10 minutes

Take a taxi from Beppu Station to Hyotan Onsen

Hyotan Onsen Bathe in a variety of baths and even in sand

This highly recommended hot spring facility has all manner of baths to soak away any muscle stiffness. You can also experience Beppu’s less conventional, famous sand bath, where yukata-clad visitors come to be buried up to the neck in warm sand. On the walls here you may spot photos of the “Onsen Masters,” honoring those who have visited all 88 of Beppu’s springs.

16 minutes

Hells of Beppu Burning springs in a rainbow of colors

The Hells of Beppu are an impressive natural phenomena. A series of hot springs that spew water of up to 150 degrees Celsius, the minerals present turning them surreal hues from cobalt blue to blood red. You can stroll around eight such "hells," each with their own distinct properties.

Day 3

1 hours 23 minutes

For visiting all the historical monuments on Kunisaki Peninsula, there is a convenient sightseeing bus available. It is recommended to book the bus in advance on the website to guarantee a seat, but if seats are available, no booking is required. Start from Beppu Bus Terminal.

Kunisaki Peninsula Immerse yourself in the religious history and culture of the peninsula

The mountainous terrain of the Kunisaki Peninsula provided isolation throughout history from the rest of Kyushu and indeed Japan, which in turn drew religious ascetics looking to meditate and train. At the same time, its proximity to Korea meant it was also a place of cultural exchange with the rest of Asia. Today, Kunisaki holds gems that visitors to Kyushu often overlook, yet are key to understanding the early history of Buddhism in Japan.

Book the Kunisaki Sightseeing Bus in advance.

Usa-jingu Shrine The most important Hachiman shrine

This shrine is a Hachiman shrine. Worship of Hachiman, the protector of the Japanese archipelago, dates back to the 8th century and this is the most important of all shrines dedicated to this deity. Construction of Usa-jingu began in 741, exhibiting some of the oldest Shinto architecture found anywhere in Japan, and its size is testament to the patronage it once enjoyed. You can spend about an hour to wander the complex.

30 minutes

Take the sightseeing bus.

Fukiji Temple Unassuming piece of ancient history

Built over 800 years ago, this humble wooden structure standing in the quiet forests beside Fuki-no-to ryokan is the oldest in Kyushu, and a National Treasure. This simple yet elegant building can seat only a few people and is often very quiet. Take the time to appreciate the figure of the Amida Buddha inside—constructed from a single nutmeg tree—and the stillness of its surroundings.

8 minutes

Take the sightseeing bus.

Makiodo Temple Enormous cliffside carvings

Makiodo serves as a kind of storehouse for Buddhist statuary, rescued from abandoned temples. View the enormous figures carved into the side of this cliff—supposedly by demons. Depicting the fearsome Fudo Myoo (god of wrath) and serene Dainichi Nyorai (Buddha of the cosmos), these are the largest of their kind in Japan. You are unlikely to see very many stone carvings outside of Kunisaki.

20 minutes

Take the sightseeing bus.

Futagoji Temple Pray for fertility on the side of a volcano

Located on the slopes of Futagoyama, a dormant volcano and the highest point of the Kunisaki Peninsula, Futagoji is linked to Ninmon, the semi-legendary monk that brought Buddhism to the area. You may notice couples offering prayers to the statue of Kannon, goddess of mercy, for a successful pregnancy.

More to Explore
Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine A shrine dedicated to learning

Located on the outskirts of Fukuoka City , Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine makes an easily accessible side trip to your further explorations of Kyushu . It houses the oldest torii gate in Kyushu, and the beautiful grounds feature gardens, ponds, red bridges, and art installations. It's a popular spot for viewing plum blossoms in February and purple irises in June.

The shrine is dedicated to the god of learning, and many people buy the notebooks, pencils, and lucky charms sold at the entrance in hopes of gaining more knowledge.

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