Resort Glamping.com
Nationwide (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Koshinetsu, Kansai, Tokai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa)
Resort Glamping.com
Nationwide (Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Koshinetsu, Kansai, Tokai, Chugoku, Shikoku, Kyushu, Okinawa)
September 16, 2026
Yufuin is located in Yufu City, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan, and is one of Kyushu's most popular hot spring resorts. Visitors can enjoy the mountain scenery of Mount Yufu and the lakeside scenery of Lake Kinrin. It is about a 2-hour and 10-minute ride on the "Yufuin no Mori" limited express train from Fukuoka Hakata Station, or about a 2-hour ride on a highway bus. Staying at a hot spring inn with a view of Mount Yufu is also recommended. Below, we have compiled a complete guide to transportation, sightseeing spots, gourmet food, and accommodation in Yufuin, and will also answer frequently asked questions.
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The Yufuin no Mori is one of the sightseeing limited express trains operated by JR Kyushu, characterized by its dark green exterior and wooden interior. It operates between Hakata, Yufuin, and Beppu.
Route: Hakata ⇄ Yufuin ⇄ Beppu (Transfers from Kumamoto area are also possible)
How to make a reservation: You can make a reservation through the JR Kyushu official website.https://www.jrkyushu.co.jp/trains/yufuinnomori/）
Yufuin no Mori Bento: This limited-edition bento box can be purchased on board the train or at Hakata Station.
*Photo courtesy of Yufu City Community Development and Tourism Bureau
The name Kinrin Lake comes from the fact that when sunlight shines on the lake's surface, the scales of the fish appear to shimmer with a golden light. Because both spring water and hot spring water flow into the lake, the water temperature remains at around 13-15°C even in winter, and in the early mornings of autumn and winter, visitors can enjoy the breathtaking sight of a white mist covering the lake's surface.
Access: Approximately 20 minutes on foot from JR Yufuin Station along Yunotsubo Street.
Recommended nearby spot: Enjoy the lake view while sipping coffee at the lakeside cafe "Cafe La Ruche".
Official site:https://www.visit-oita.jp/spots/detail/4362
Address: 1561-1 Kawakami, Yufuin-cho, Yufu City, Kinrin Lake
The main street leading from Yufuin Station to Kinrin Lake is lined on both sides with sweets shops, souvenir shops, crepe and snack stalls, and kimono rental shops.
Must-try foods: Gold medal-winning croquettes, cheese croquettes, curry croquettes, etc.
Must-buy sweets: B-speak's Baumkuchen and Yufuin Milch's soft-baked cheesecake are popular items that always have long lines.
Experience: There are kimono rental shops along the street, making it a great option for travelers who want to photograph the townscape.
Official site:https://yunotubo.com/
Address: 1505-6 Kawakami, Yufuin-cho, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture
This complex is designed with the concept of a British fairy tale village, featuring colorful and charming buildings and an area where you can interact with small animals.
Features: European-style fairytale architecture and an experience of interacting with small animals such as cats and owls.
Official site:https://floral-village.com/
Phone: 0977-85-5132
Address: 1503-3 Kawakami, Yufuin-cho, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture
*Photo courtesy of Yufu City Community Development and Tourism Bureau
This small shrine, located on the shore of Lake Kinrin, is said to be a passageway connecting humans and the heavens. It is one of Yufuin's popular spots, situated on a small lake with a circumference of approximately 400 meters.
| Item | Message |
|---|---|
| Address | Yufu City, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu, Japan (Yufuin Onsen) |
| Travel time from Fukuoka | Yufuin no Mori Train: Approximately 2 hours 10 minutes / Express bus: Approximately 2 hours |
| Sightseeing | Kinrin Lake, Yunotsubo Street, Yufuin Museum of Art, Yufuin Floral Village |
| Local Food | Yufuin Milk Pudding, Danbo Tonkotsu Ramen, Local Chicken Dishes, B-speak Baumkuchen |
| Departure | transportation | Acitivity Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fukuoka (Hakata) | Yufuin no Mori Train | about 2 hour 10 minutes |
| Fukuoka (Hakata) | Express Bus | Approx. 2 hour |
| Fukuoka Airport | Direct bus | Approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes |
| Kumamoto | Transfer by JR train or bus. | about 3 hour |
| Beppu | JR or bus | Approximately 15-30 minutes |
This spacious 56-square-meter suite cabin boasts a full range of private amenities, a private bathroom, and a fire pit area. For dinner, you can enjoy shrimp, squid, scallops, Bungo beef steak, and the winter-only Acqua Pazza hot pot. Come and enjoy a luxurious glamping BBQ experience in Oita.
Located in Kokonoe Town, this private log cabin is surrounded by nature and features a private open-air bath and sauna in every room. Guests can also enjoy outdoor activities amidst the natural surroundings. Meals include Bungo beef loin, bone-in ribs, foil-baked salmon, and seasonal dessert.
Yufuin is a hot spring resort town located in the inland part of Kyushu, Japan, in Yufu City, Oita Prefecture, near Beppu and Kumamoto.
It takes about 2 hours and 10 minutes by the Yufuin no Mori express train from Fukuoka Hakata Station. It also takes about 2 hours by highway bus, so both options offer convenient access.
Because Yufuin no Mori has limited seating, we recommend making a reservation at least one month in advance. Weekends, long weekends, and the autumn season are particularly busy, and seats fill up very quickly.
Popular souvenirs from Yufuin include dairy products from local farms, Baumkuchen from B-speak, homemade jams, and regionally limited sweets, most of which can be purchased on Yunotsubo Street.
Yes, there is a direct bus from Fukuoka Airport to Yufuin, and the journey takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes. It's ideal for those who want to head straight to the hot spring resort without stopping in the city after arriving at the airport.
Easily accessible from Fukuoka, simply riding the Yufuin no Mori train will create special travel memories. Upon arriving at Yufuin Station, take a stroll to Kinrin Lake and stay at a hotel with a private hot spring bath. If you wake up early the next morning and head back to Kinrin Lake, you'll be greeted by a breathtaking view of the dreamlike morning mist. If you have more time, you can combine it with Beppu Onsen, which is a 15-30 minute drive away, to experience two different hot spring resorts in Kyushu at once. Whether you're planning a one-day trip to Yufuin or looking for accommodation where you can relax amidst nature and hot springs, Yufuin is a destination you should definitely prioritize when planning your Kyushu trip.
He is an editor at Resort Glamping.com, a glamping-focused media outlet visited by approximately 100 million people a month. He has written over 150 articles introducing glamping facilities and experience reports, and is involved in a wide range of glamping facility services, from planning and development to operation and customer acquisition consulting.
