2026 Yufuin Travel Guide: 44 Attractions Map & Shopping

B-speak（ビー・スピーク）

Highlights

A must-visit in Yufuin, B-speak is famous for its "P-Roll" Swiss roll. A Tabelog "Top 100 Sweets" selection, these rolls sell out quickly, so arrive early. The P-Roll is celebrated for its incredibly fluffy, golden sponge and rich, smooth cream. While it must be consumed on the day of purchase, the generous size (serves 8–10) makes it perfect for sharing. Located at the entrance of Yunotsubo Street, this stylish shop is an essential stop for any dessert lover.

COMICO ART MUSEUM YUFUIN

Overview

Background

Donguri no Mori Yufuin

Located on the bustling Yunotsubo Kaido, Donguri no Mori Yufuin is a must-visit for Ghibli fans. From the giant Totoro at the entrance to the immersive interior, this shop brings Ghibli magic to life. 好食.

Closed: Open year-round (check ahead for potential temporary closures).

Highlights

The shop features a wide range of merchandise from classics like My Neighbor Totoro, Kiki's Delivery Service, Spirited Away, and When Marnie Was There.

Key offerings include:
Plushies & Figures: Detailed dolls of iconic characters like Totoro, Catbus, and Jiji.
Daily Goods: Practical items like towels, mugs, and stationery featuring Ghibli designs.
Yufuin Exclusives: Unique pins and accessories inspired by Mt. Yufu and local horse-drawn carriages.
Japanese-style Goods: Traditional accessories that complement the Yufuin hot spring town aesthetic.

Enjoy the nostalgic atmosphere with Ghibli soundtracks playing in the background. Don't miss the photo spot outside, complete with a Totoro statue and props like Kiki’s broom.

YufuinMilch: Creamy Yufuin Delights

Yufuin Kuku

Located on the bustling Yunotsubo Kaido, Yufuin Kuku blends tradition with innovation. This cafe and soba shop is a perfect retreat for handmade sweets, specialty coffee, and refined local souvenirs. 好食.

Highlights

Famous for its hand-grilled dorayaki, the shop features fluffy pancakes paired with rich red bean paste. The seasonal Kumamoto chestnut mont blanc dorayaki is a standout. The boutique also stocks regional specialties like Fukuoka strawberry jam, Oita yuzu jam, sweet potato treats, and yuzu monaka. For street food, don't miss the Kuroge Wagyu beef croquettes and house-made ginger ale.

About the Shop

Founded in 2008, the name "Cucuchi" honors the owner's hometown history. Housed in a relocated traditional folk house from Hida-Takayama, the space features a sweets shop, cafe, and a soba restaurant serving Oita-grown Kanjidori chicken. Guests can relax in the lush biotope garden or on the terrace, which offers stunning views of Mount Yufu.

Yufuin Soy Sauce Main Store - Good eats

Highlights

The signature "Takumi" soy sauce is a must-try, perfect for sashimi and chilled tofu. Don't miss the creative soy sauce pudding, where a hint of salt balances the caramel sweetness. For souvenirs, the yuzu kosho soy sauce and local pickles—featuring daikon and cucumber—perfectly capture the authentic, aromatic flavors of Kyushu.

Hotarumi Bridge (蛍観橋)

Overview

Spanning the Oita River in the heart of Yufuin, Hotarumi Bridge is a charming wooden footbridge offering picturesque views of Mount Yufu reflected in the water. In early summer (late May to mid-June), the area transforms into a magical scene as hundreds of fireflies dance along the riverbanks at night. Even outside of firefly season, it remains a serene spot for a stroll, perfect for enjoying the soothing sounds of the river and the natural beauty of Yufuin.

Hanakoji Kikuya

Located at the entrance of bustling Yunotsubo Yokocho, Hanakoji Kikuya is a renowned confectionery in Yufuin blending Japanese and Western influences. A must-visit for creative, original 好食.

Closed: Never

Highlights

Purin Dora (Pudding Dorayaki): The shop’s signature treat, featuring rich custard pudding inside fluffy dorayaki pancakes with a hint of bitter caramel. Available in flavors like original, matcha, and strawberry for approx. 250 yen—perfect for snacking or as a souvenir.

Mitsue-mon: A seasonal autumn/winter baked sweet made from Oita-grown "Beniharuka" sweet potatoes. Its realistic roasted-potato shape and creamy, sweet filling make it a fan favorite.

Soy Milk Butter Sandwich: Crafted with natural spring water from Mt. Yufu and rich butter, these light yet flavorful sandwiches pair perfectly with coffee or Japanese tea.

Other Sweets: Choose from over 30 varieties, including black bean yokan, soy sauce mochi, and pudding baumkuchen.

Yufuin Doctor Fish Foot Spa

Overview

After strolling around Lake Kinrin, unwind at this popular foot spa on the main street. Using Garra rufa—the "Doctor Fish"—the spa offers a natural exfoliation treatment. As you dip your feet into the warm Yufuin spring water, the fish gently remove dead skin cells. The initial tingling sensation soon turns into a soothing massage, leaving your skin feeling soft and smooth. The open-air setting allows you to relax while soaking in the atmosphere of the Yunotsubo Kaido area.

Background

Originating from thermal springs in Turkey, Doctor Fish have long been used in Europe and the Middle East for their skin-healing and circulation-boosting properties. This therapeutic experience was introduced to Yufuin in the late 2000s, blending traditional hot spring culture with natural wellness.

Basic Info

Craft-kan Hachinosu (Yufuin)

Closed: Irregular (check website or call ahead)

Highlights

Craft-kan Hachinosu offers handcrafted natural wood goods, including carvings, tableware, furniture, and linen. Highlights include cypress ornaments, olive wood boards, and unique souvenirs.

About the Shop

Located on Yunotsubo Kaido in a unique 12-sided building, this shop features artisanal woodwork and the second-floor Getsuten-hoshin café, perfect for coffee, sweets, and 好食.

Yufuinフローラルヴィレッジ

Inspired by the English Cotswolds, Yufuinフローラルヴィレッジ is a fairytale-themed park in Yufuin. This charming destination is a favorite for its whimsical atmosphere and picturesque photo spots.

Spot Overview

This compact park evokes scenes from Harry Potter or Peter Rabbit. Featuring stone cottages, winding paths, and lush gardens, it houses boutiques and cafes selling merchandise from Kiki's Delivery Service, Peter Rabbit, Moomin, and Heidi.

Highlights include the "フクロウの森" (Owl Forest), where visitors can meet owls (approx. 700 yen), and the Alice in Wonderland-themed "チェシャ猫の森" cat café. Families can feed goats, rabbits, and ducks, or visit the Heidi-themed fountain area featuring "Yuki-chan" the goat. While the park is small—taking only 5–10 minutes to walk through—it is a highlight of any Yufuin stroll. Admission is free, with small fees for specific experiences like the cat café or the 100-yen kakenagashi (free-flowing) foot bath.

Background

Opened in 2012, Yufuinフローラルヴィレッジ was developed to add a touch of European flair to Yufuin’s traditional hot spring landscape. The park’s architecture is meticulously handcrafted to mimic the "world's most beautiful villages" in the Cotswolds. Since its debut, it has become a major draw for international visitors and fans of its unique blend of European aesthetics and Japanese pop culture, further enhanced by the 2017 addition of the Heidi-themed area.

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Located near Lake Kinrin, 菓匠 花より has been a Yufuin wagashi staple since 2007. A must-visit for artisanal sweets featuring local Oita flavors. 好食.

Closed: Irregular holidays

Signature Treats

Known for handcrafted sweets using premium Hokkaido red beans:

• Nama Yokan: A soft, melt-in-the-mouth take on traditional yokan. Available in plain or chestnut flavors. Price: ~¥1,300 (full) / ¥650 (half).
• Dango: Colorful, photogenic skewers in flavors like mitarashi, kinako, purple sweet potato, matcha, and local yuzu-kosho. Price: ~¥200–400.
• Chestnut Kintsuba: Thin-skinned cakes filled with dense chestnut and red bean paste. Price: ~¥150–200.
• Warabi Mochi Drink: A chewy, sweet treat featuring black honey and kinako. Price: ~¥500.
• Fresh Dorayaki: Fluffy, limited-edition griddled pancakes with generous fillings.

The Experience

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Imaizumido - Yufuin Confectionery

Located near Lake Kinrin in Yufuin, Imaizumido is a renowned wagashi shop famous for its signature deep-fried brown sugar manju. Since 1989, the shop has been a staple for quality, house-made sweets and popular local souvenirs.

Closed: Irregular holidays
Tel: 0977-84-4719

Signature Items

Brown Sugar Fried Manju: The shop's specialty. Features low-sugar adzuki bean paste from Tokachi, Hokkaido, wrapped in brown sugar dough and deep-fried in rice oil for a crispy exterior. Available in classic brown sugar (150 yen/piece) or local Oita yuzu and kabosu citrus with white bean paste. Best enjoyed warm; reheat in an oven for 2-3 minutes if taken home. 10-piece gift boxes available for approx. 1200 yen.

Chocolat Dorayaki: A fusion treat featuring cocoa-infused pancakes with fillings like chocolate, strawberry, matcha, banana, and orange (464–556 yen each). The matcha and chocolate flavors are local favorites.

Manekineko Monaka: Cute cat-shaped wafers filled with traditional bean paste, created in collaboration with the local Wayoha Workshop—perfect for gifts.

Other Treats: The menu includes mont blanc soft-serve, shiratama azuki, matcha frappes, and savory yuzu-flavored inari sushi for a quick snack.

Store Experience

A 20-minute walk from Yufuin Station, Imaizumido is a perfect stop during a lakeside stroll. The shop features a minimalist Japanese aesthetic with a small seating area (5-6 seats) where guests can enjoy tea. Friendly staff often provide samples. Credit cards are accepted, and various packaging options are available for both immediate snacking and gifting.

Whether you are hunting for the perfect souvenir or a hot, crispy treat to enjoy while walking, Imaizumido is a must-visit in Yufuin.

Kinrinko Lake

Nestled at the foot of Mount Yufu, Kinrinko Lake is the iconic heart of Yufuin. Famous for its crystal-clear waters and the ethereal morning mist that rises during autumn and winter, it is a must-visit destination for those seeking tranquility and natural beauty.

Spot Guide

A 400-meter walking path circles the lake, where hot and cold springs converge to keep the water at a steady 13–15℃. This temperature contrast creates the signature morning mist against the backdrop of Mount Yufu. The area is also a prime spot for autumn foliage (late October to early November). Don't miss the torii gate of Tenso Shrine standing in the water, or a relaxing break at nearby cafes like "Sabou Tenjo Sajiki".

The lake is home to various fish and waterfowl, adding to its vibrant natural atmosphere.

History

Once part of a larger lake that covered the Yufuin basin, the pond was originally called "Take-no-shita-no-ike" (Pond under the mountain). In 1884, Confucian scholar Mori Kuso renamed it "Kinrinko" after seeing fish scales shimmering like gold in the sunset. Steeped in local folklore, the lake is even said to be the home of a dragon deity.

Shitanyu

Tenso Shrine

Located on the shore of Lake Kinrin in Yufuin, Tenso Shrine is a historic site steeped in mystery and local lore. It is a must-visit destination for those seeking the spiritual atmosphere and natural beauty of the area.

Spot Overview

Tenso Shrine sits by the picturesque Lake Kinrin, famous for its morning mist. Its iconic torii gate stands directly in the water—a relic moved from the nearby Bussan-ji Temple during the Meiji-era separation of Shinto and Buddhism. Fed by spring water from Mount Yufu, the lake is central to local legends. The shrine grounds also feature a massive cedar tree, a designated Yufu City natural monument, estimated to be over 1,000 years old.

History

Records trace the shrine's origins back to 82 AD, when Hayatsuhime of Hayami-gun, Bungo Province, was commissioned to enshrine the imperial ancestors. The main deities include Ame-no-Minakanushi-no-Kami, Susanoo-no-Mikoto, Kagutsuchi-no-Mikoto, and Kotoshironushi-no-Mikoto. Despite damage from the 2016 Kumamoto earthquake, the shrine has been fully restored, preserving its ancient heritage.

Cultural Significance

Tenso Shrine is deeply tied to the legend of the dragon god of Lake Kinrin. Folklore tells of a dragon that requested a home in the lake, promising to protect the land with its eternal springs. This myth reflects the deep Japanese reverence for nature. Visitors can experience the profound serenity of Shinto culture and the philosophy of harmony with the natural world.

Tea House Rooftop Garden

Highlights

Located within the historic Kamenoi Bessou, this tea house is housed in a converted Edo-period sake brewery in Yufuin.
Signature item: "Mont Yufu," a delicate dessert inspired by Mt. Yufu, featuring cream cheese and rum-soaked raisins. The tables are crafted from antique soy sauce barrel lids, adding to the historic charm.
Whether enjoying house-roasted coffee or views of the changing seasons near Kinrinko Lake, this is a perfect spot to unwind. No reservations (except for hotel guests); visit during off-peak hours to enjoy the quiet atmosphere.

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