Introducing Yufuin

About 25km inland from Beppu, picturesque Yufuin sits in the shadow of the majestic twin peaks of Yufu-dake. Tourism development has gradually increased in the past few years, and Yufuin is best avoided on holidays and weekends. It’s still very much worth a stop en route to Aso, or on a day trip from Beppu.

The Yufuin Hot Springs Tourist Information office (84-2446; 9am-7pm) inside the train station has some information in English, including an excellent and detailed walking map showing galleries, museums and onsen. There is a postal ATM next to the station. The station itself is a striking piece of architecture, and holds a small art gallery as well.

As in Beppu, making a pilgrimage from one onsen to another is a popular activity in Yufuin. Shitan-yu (admission ¥200; 10am-9pm) is a thatched bathhouse on the northern shore of Kirin-ko, a lake fed by hot springs, so it’s warm (ish) all year round. Yufuin is noted for its high-quality handicrafts. The town also has a few interesting temples and shrines; tourist information (85-4464) is available.

The double-peaked Yufu-dake (1584m) volcano overlooks Yufuin and takes about 90 minutes to climb. A few buses between Beppu and Yufuin stop at the base of Yufu-dake, Yufu-tozan-guchi (¥700, 43 minutes). From Yufuin, the bus takes 16 minutes (¥360).