Things to do in Yufu

Activities, attractions and tours

Yufu
Yufu
Yufu
Yufu
Yufu
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Top places to visit

1. Kinrin Lake

When mist creates a cloud over the surface of the warm water, Kinrin Lake seems like a portal to another world, suffused with a potent magic. Fed by a volcanic spring at its base and other springs whose cooler streams pour in, the lake stays warm year round with the same geothermal energy that feeds the onsen baths throughout Yufuin. Knowing how it works doesn’t make it any less magical in early morning, when the contrast between hot water and cold air creates the lake’s signature fog. Start the day here to be full of the relaxing energy that makes Yufuin such a popular destination.
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The picturesque emblem of Yufuin, this geothermal lake has a remarkable beauty that is best appreciated when the air is chilly.

2. Mount Yufu

Yufuin’s natural protector, Mount Yufu, is one of the town’s most distinctive sights with its camel-backed peak. The perfect backdrop for camera shots of Yufuin’s main street, Mount Yufu is also a great place for hiking. The walk is rather long, at 5 miles (8 kilometers), taking about 4 or 5 hours round-trip. Do the moderate hike relatively easily with a basic level of fitness and strong motivation.
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A long hike up the volcano pays off, both from the beauty of the walk and the stunning sea and valley views from the peak.

3. Yufuin Stained Glass Museum

Everything in the Yufuin Stained Glass Museum, from the bricks to the furniture, was imported from Europe. Japan’s first full-scale stained-glass museum is a celebration both of this distinctly European art form and of European culture more generally, perfect for a town modeled on the continent’s spa towns. Visit for the art and the pleasing cultural dissonance.
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Soft light streaming through colored windows suggests the north of England, but this museum is in the thoroughly Japanese neighborhood of Yufuin.

4. Showa Retro Park

Although the Showa Retro Park is a blast from the past, in many ways it celebrates change. It is seemingly dedicated to the entire Showa Period, during the reign of Emperor Hirohito, from 1926 to 1989. In particular it celebrates the Showa 30s (1955-1965), an era of radical shifts in Japanese history.
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Japan of the 1950s is reproduced in remarkable detail in a museum celebrating the daily life of a recently passed era.

5. Yufuin Retro Motor Museum

The founder of Yufuin Retro Motor Museum, a town local, has amassed quite an impressive collection of motor vehicles. With a collection of 70 cars, 30 motorcycles, tricycles, small airplanes and retro buses, he is one of the region’s biggest amateurs and opened the museum in 1988. Get a sense both of his own idiosyncratic tastes and the history of Japan’s mechanized transport at a museum right off Yufuin’s main street.
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Examples of some of the world’s best-known sports cars appear alongside motorcycles, a bus and even a few small planes in this private collection.

6. Bussanji Temple

With its heavy thatched roof, Bussanji Temple announces its heritage at first glance. Though the history is hazy, legend says that a monk founded the shrine more than a thousand years ago after receiving an oracle at Kirishima Shrine, at the southern end of the island. He carved a statue of Kannon bodhisattva and placed it on Mount Yufu, where a monastery grew up around it. There it remained until the late 16th century, when an earthquake brought the statue down to the valley and the people of Yufuin built a temple where it fell. Sense the deep spirituality of the space, which has been a center of religious life in the village for a very long time.
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Set in a shaded forest, this 16th-century temple with a long history offers relaxation and meditation to visitors of any faith.

What to do in Yufu

Popular places to visit

Kinrin Lake

Kinrin Lake

4.5/5(10 reviews)

The picturesque emblem of Yufuin, this geothermal lake has a remarkable beauty that is best appreciated when the air is chilly.

Kinrin Lake
Mount Yufu

Mount Yufu

4.5/5(3 reviews)

A long hike up the volcano pays off, both from the beauty of the walk and the stunning sea and valley views from the peak.

Mount Yufu
Yufuin Stained Glass Museum

Yufuin Stained Glass Museum

Soft light streaming through colored windows suggests the north of England, but this museum is in the thoroughly Japanese neighborhood of Yufuin.

Yufuin Stained Glass Museum
Showa Retro Park

Showa Retro Park

Japan of the 1950s is reproduced in remarkable detail in a museum celebrating the daily life of a recently passed era.

Showa Retro Park
Yufuin Retro Motor Museum

Yufuin Retro Motor Museum

Examples of some of the world’s best-known sports cars appear alongside motorcycles, a bus and even a few small planes in this private collection.

Yufuin Retro Motor Museum
Bussanji Temple

Bussanji Temple

Set in a shaded forest, this 16th-century temple with a long history offers relaxation and meditation to visitors of any faith.

Bussanji Temple
Norman Rockwell Yufuin Museum

Norman Rockwell Yufuin Museum

Best known for his covers of the Saturday Evening Post, a great American illustrator is the subject of this small but enthusiastic collection in Japan.

Norman Rockwell Yufuin Museum
Yufuin Trick Art Meikyukan Museum

Yufuin Trick Art Meikyukan Museum

Mind-bending optical illusions offer opportunities for photos, special events and good fun on rainy days right off Yufuin’s main tourist street.

Yufuin Trick Art Meikyukan Museum
Sueda Art Gallery

Sueda Art Gallery

Works of two of Japan’s best-known modernist sculptors and artists fill this private museum, making it feel a bit like entering their home, full of an easy intimacy.

Sueda Art Gallery

Areas of Yufu

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Yufuin Onsen

4.5/5(24 area reviews)

Experience the very relaxing Japanese custom of communal bathing in a hot spring onsen at the foot of Mount Yufu.

Yufuin Onsen

 

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Beppu

Beppu

Photo by Satoru Morimoto

Kusu

Frequently asked questions

Is Yufu worth visiting?
Famous for its nature and views, discovering fun things to do in Yufu is a cinch. Don't forget to add Takegawara Onsen to your itinerary while here.
How do I spend a day in Yufu?
Once you've visited top attractions like Takegawara Onsen and Kijima Kogen Park, spend some time exploring the retail and food options in Yufu.
What is the top tourist attraction in Yufu?
The top tourist attraction in Yufu is Takegawara Onsen, so make sure to include it on your sightseeing agenda.
Is three days enough to stay in Yufu?
Three days in Yufu is plenty of time to visit the city's main attractions. Many travellers book for two days on average. Kijima Kogen Park, Yunohira Hot Spring and Shidaka Lake are highly rated sights. Want to discover more? Hang around a little longer to visit nearby hotspots such as Beppu.
What are some activities to do in Yufu with kids?
Whether you're holidaying with young explorers or adventure-seeking teens, an itinerary filled with cool activities makes a big difference. Take a look at our recommendations for what to do in Yufu with kids.

What to do in Yufu for adults?
Whether you're a food lover, culture enthusiast or outdoor adventurer, there are plenty of things to do in Yufu for adults including Yufuin Trick Art Meikyukan Museum.
Are there free things to do in Yufu?
One of the easiest ways to find free things to do in Yufu is to speak with a local tour guide. You'll get insider tips on cool neighbourhoods, parks and other attractions you can enjoy without reaching for your wallet. Shidaka Lake is one sight that doesn't charge an admission fee.