Yufuin Itinerary: Lake Kinrinko, Yunotsubo Street, Showa Museum and a Night at Yufuin Baien

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Yufuin, in Oita on Kyushu, is a small onsen town that you can see in half a day, but stay a night in a ryokan for the full experience. Go to Lake Kinrinko at 8–9am before the tour buses, walk Yunotsubo Kaido and the Floral Village, and visit the Showa Museum. It's about 2 to 2.5 hours from Fukuoka by highway bus, the Yufuin no Mori train, or car.

Yufuin is a peaceful onsen town surrounded by nature, known for its landscapes, cafes, boutiques and a Ghibli-themed shop street. It was our first stop, in late October 2023, on our 12-day Kyushu self-drive with my parents and our 9-month-old baby. Instead of taking the expressway from Fukuoka Airport, we took toll-free roads with lots of stops. It took longer than expected, but it was fun, and we caught a cosmos festival on the way!

Getting to Yufuin from Fukuoka

• By train: the Yufuin no Mori limited express runs from Hakata in about 2 hours 15 minutes. All seats are reserved and it often sells out, so book as soon as you can. It's covered by the JR Pass and JR Kyushu Rail Pass (seat reservation needed).
• By bus: direct highway buses run from Fukuoka Airport, Hakata Station and Tenjin to Yufuin Station in about 2 hours, roughly every 30 to 60 minutes. The fare was ¥3,250 when we checked in 2023.
• By car: about 2 hours on the expressway, longer on toll-free roads like we did. Compare Kyushu car rentals on Klook.

Evening: Yufuin Roadside Station

Our first stop was the Yufuin roadside station before entering the town. It sells local snacks and, in good weather, has a splendid view of Mt Yufu. We arrived quite late, and most of the fruit had sold out.

Stay in a Ryokan

Then we drove to our ryokan. There are many traditional ryokan around Yufuin, and you can use their baths as a day visitor or stay overnight with half or full board. We highly recommend staying. If you've booked dinner, arrive before 5pm.

Morning: Lake Kinrinko

In the morning, go to Lake Kinrinko, a peaceful lake surrounded by greenery, with paths around it. It's especially lovely in autumn. The best time is around 8 to 9am, before the tour buses arrive!

Yunotsubo Kaido

Then walk along Yunotsubo Kaido, the main street from Yufuin Station to Lake Kinrinko, lined with souvenir shops and cafes. Take your time browsing the boutiques and trying street food.

Yufuin Floral Village

A few minutes' walk away is Yufuin Floral Village, a charming area of European-style buildings with an owl forest, a pet cafe and cute souvenir shops.

Yufuin Showa Museum

Finally, explore the Showa Museum, full of vintage cars, toys and memorabilia from the Showa era (1926–1989). It's a nostalgic trip back in time, and there's a school canteen on level 2 where you can try canteen food. We didn't, as we'd had breakfast at our ryokan and it wasn't lunchtime yet!

Parking in Yufuin

One of the main challenges is parking. We parked near the Showa Museum and walked to the street, spending about 2 hours there, at ¥200 per hour.

Where We Stayed: Yufuin Baien

We stayed at Yufuin Baien, just above the town to the south, with large, attractive outdoor baths. It also has private onsen rooms for guests who are shy or travelling as a family. The buildings are dated, but the rooms are big and comfortable, and the staff are friendly. On clear days, you can see the twin peaks of Mt Yufu from the baths.

The ryokan has two buildings, the main building and the accommodation (two floors). We stayed on the second floor and were grateful the staff carried our luggage; otherwise it would have been tough with my parents and a baby. It looked old but was clean and comfortable, and there were upgrading works while we were there.

We highly recommend booking with meals, as the ryokan isn't near the town centre, and traditional ryokan usually can't prepare extra meals if you haven't pre-ordered. Welcome drinks are served from 7pm to 10pm. We loved the dinner, but my parents and I don't eat beef, so H had to finish four extra plates of wagyu (good for him!). If you have dietary restrictions, tell the ryokan in advance. Breakfast was good too. Overall, we loved our stay at Yufuin Baien!

The next day, we drove on to Beppu; read our full 12-day Kyushu itinerary. Compare other Yufuin ryokan on Agoda.

FAQ

How do I get from Fukuoka to Yufuin?

By highway bus from Fukuoka Airport, Hakata or Tenjin (about 2 hours, roughly ¥2,100 to ¥3,300), by the Yufuin no Mori limited express from Hakata (about 2 hours 15 minutes, all seats reserved), or by car in about 2 hours on the expressway.

How long should I spend in Yufuin?

Half a day covers Lake Kinrinko, Yunotsubo Kaido, the Floral Village and the Showa Museum, but we recommend staying a night in a ryokan for the onsen and dinner.

When is the best time to visit Lake Kinrinko?

Early morning, around 8 to 9am, before the tour buses arrive. Autumn, when the trees around the lake change colour, is especially beautiful.

Where should I park in Yufuin?

Use the paid car parks near the Showa Museum and walk to the main street. We paid ¥200 per hour and spent about 2 hours.