Yufuin (由布院温泉) Travel Guide & City Profile

Zuletzt geprüft · Alle Preisangaben in Yen (¥) dienen zur Orientierung.October 24, 2026 · Prices are approximate and for orientation only.

Overview & City Profile

Yufuin (湯布院町, Yufuin-chō) is a district (町, machi) within the city of Yufu, Ōita Prefecture, Japan. It was previously a town located in the now-dissolved Ōita District. Yufuin's elevation is approximately 400 meters (1,300 ft) above ground. As of 2003, the town had an estimated population of 11,342 and density of 88.77 inhabitants per square kilometer (229.9/sq mi).

Within Ōita Prefecture (Kyushu region), Yufuin (由布院温泉) serves as a onsen resort town in ōita prefecture. Travelers exploring Ōita often combine a stop in Yufuin with regional highlights such as Beppu's 'Eight Hells' (Jigoku Meguri) & sand/mud baths, boutique foot-of-Mount-Yufu resort town of Yufuin, Usa Jingu Shrine, Kitsuki samurai slopes, and Kunisaki Peninsula stone Buddhas.

Getting to Yufuin & Getting Around

Via the regional hub (Beppu, Yufuin & Oita Stations (JR Sonic & Yufu-in-no-Mori Limited Express)): 2h from Fukuoka (Hakata) or 1h 20m from Kokura on the JR Limited Express Sonic to Beppu/Oita, or 2h 15m on the scenic Yufuin-no-Mori train to Yufuin.

• Local rail & IC cards: Once in Ōita Prefecture, JR regional lines and local private railways connect Ōita with Yufuin. Nationwide IC cards (Suica, Pasmo, Icoca) work on major urban and JR commuter gates; for rural branch lines or local buses, keep ¥1,000 bills and ¥100 coins handy for the onboard fare box.
• Luggage & station lockers: Main stations in Ōita have coin lockers for day-trippers. If you are stopping in Yufuin en route between larger bases, check your suitcase dimensions in our Luggage & Locker Checker or forward big bags ahead with Takkyubin.
• Driving & car rental: While city centers around Yufuin are accessible by train and taxi, renting a car from a major Shinkansen station or airport in Ōita can be rewarding for reaching mountain gorges, coastal viewpoints, and countryside onsen. Read our Renting a Car in Japan Guide.

Lokale Küche & Spezialitäten in Yufuin & Ōita

Yufuin teilt die kulinarischen Traditionen der Präfektur Ōita und der Region Kyushu. Probieren Sie bei Ihrem Besuch unbedingt diese regionalen Spezialitäten:

• Toriten (citrus-ponzu chicken tempura) & Usa karaage — a signature specialty across Ōita Prefecture.
• Jigoku-mushi (vegetables, eggs & seafood steamed over 98°C hot-spring vents in Beppu) — a signature specialty across Ōita Prefecture.
• Bungo wagyu beef — a signature specialty across Ōita Prefecture.
• Seki-aji & Seki-saba (wild Bungo Channel mackerel & horse mackerel) — a signature specialty across Ōita Prefecture.
• Dango-jiru soup — a signature specialty across Ōita Prefecture.

For dietary restrictions or food allergies, open our Japanese Phrasebook & Show-to-Staff Cards to display clear Japanese dietary explanations at restaurants in Yufuin.

Best Time to Visit & Seasonal Highlights

Year-round for Japan's highest-volume hot springs; October–February for rising steam vistas in Beppu and morning mist over Lake Kinrin in Yufuin.

Regional highlights across Ōita Prefecture that pair well with a visit to Yufuin include: Beppu's 'Eight Hells' (Jigoku Meguri) & sand/mud baths, boutique foot-of-Mount-Yufu resort town of Yufuin, Usa Jingu Shrine, Kitsuki samurai slopes, and Kunisaki Peninsula stone Buddhas.

Praktische Reisetipps für Yufuin

• Tourist information center (観光案内所): Look for the Kankō Annaijo counter at the regional hub (Beppu, Yufuin & Oita Stations (JR Sonic & Yufu-in-no-Mori Limited Express)) or major stations in Ōita Prefecture for free walking maps, bus timetables, and festival calendars.
• Cash & ATMs: While hotels, chain stores, and convenience stores in Yufuin accept international cards and IC payment, smaller family-run restaurants, shrines, and rural buses often prefer cash. 7-Eleven (Seven Bank) and Japan Post ATMs accept foreign debit cards reliably.
• Dining hours: Outside major metropolitan hubs, lunch typically runs 11:30 AM–2:00 PM and dinner spots open around 5:30 PM, with earlier last orders (around 8:00–9:00 PM) in smaller cities.