Yufuin

Yufuin (由布院 as onsen resort, 湯布院 as city) is a popular hot spring resort, located about ten kilometers inland from Beppu, another, much larger and more developed hot spring resort. Yufuin has a wealth of art museums, cafes and boutiques, and many travelers come to the city just to stroll about town for the day.

Yufuin is located on a flat river basin surrounded by mountains. The most prominent feature of Yufuin's skyline is the twin peaked Mount Yufu, which hovers over the town and serves as the backdrop for many scenic views. The area is rural and shortly after leaving the main walking route, travelers will come across the rice paddies and farm houses that make up a considerable part of the town.

The ryokan and hotels of Yufuin are spread out around town, and not clustered along the main street like in many other resort towns. Instead, the main street is lined with cafes, boutiques and small museums, giving Yufuin an atmosphere more like a trendy shopping area than a traditional onsen town. Nonetheless, there is a large number of lodgings with hot spring baths, some of which open their baths to non-staying guests during daytime.

Another natural landmark of Yufuin besides Mount Yufu is Lake Kinrinko. The small lake is located at the end of the town's main walking route, about a kilometer and a half from the station. Walking paths surround the lake as well as more small shops and cafes, and there is a small shrine located at the lake's southern end. There are also a few public bath houses, one of which, the Shitanyu, can be used by tourists, while the others are for use by local residents only.

Shoya no Yakata is located on a hillside in the northern part of Yufuin where large steam clouds from hot spring sources can be seen raising into the air. Shoya no Yakata has large, gender separated outdoor baths which are best known for their blueish water, untypical for Yufuin. The location on the hillside allows for some views onto the town below.

Baien is located slightly above the town to the south, and has large, attractive outdoor baths (rotemburo) for visitors. On clear days, the twin peaks of Mount Yufu are visible from the baths. The facilities are gender separated.

The views of Mount Yufu from Musoen's outdoor baths are considered among Yufuin's best. The ryokan is located slightly above town to the south and has large, attractive baths that are gender separated. The ryokan grounds are quite attractive, as well.

Located just a short walk from Yufuin Station, the Sansuikan offers some of the most easily accessible baths to tourists without private means of transportation. The large ryokan's gender separated bathing facilities feature multiple outdoor and indoor pools, a scented bath and a sauna.

Saigakukan is located to the south of town, however its baths are not quite as large, open and attractive as those of the Baien and Musoen. Nonetheless, they are quite nice and offer some views of Mount Yufu. There are gender separated indoor and outdoor pools.

The Shitanyu is a very simple, old-fashioned public bath house at the shore of Lake Kinrinko with two small pools. It is gender mixed without dedicated changing rooms and very limited facilities. The bath house opens towards the back, giving bathers a view onto some greenery.