Scenic Hotels in Yufu

"We went to Fukuoka for Chinese New Year, and since my husband loves hot springs, we decided to stay two nights in Yufuin. The inn's location was superb, close to Lake Kinrin, and very quiet. Just a short walk away was Yufuin main street. We booked late, so our only option was a Japanese-Western style room without a private hot spring, which was a pity and a bit disappointing for my husband. Our 'one-night, two-meals' plan was incredibly filling, featuring what seemed like kaiseki cuisine plus either wagyu barbecue or wagyu shabu-shabu. I'm not really an expert on kaiseki, but I could definitely tell the food was exquisite and fresh. Since we don't speak Japanese, the inn assigned a young, English-speaking waitress to attend to us throughout our stay, which was very thoughtful. As I mentioned, the food portions had many courses, and we were quite full by the end. When the waitress asked if we wanted rice and we replied 'just a little,' she seemed genuinely concerned, thinking perhaps we didn't like the food 😅. I wanted to tell her we were simply already full. As for the downsides, my husband found the toilet a bit far from the sink, especially in the private toilet within the bedroom. The inn also didn't offer laundry service; staff advised us to use the laundromat on the main market street if we needed to wash clothes. In the end, we decided against it and waited until we returned to Fukuoka to do our laundry at the hotel there. Also, I imagine the inn is a traditional Japanese establishment, and the staff are quite principled. We were late arriving due to unfamiliarity with the transport, so dinner was pushed back to around 7:30 PM. They seemed a little displeased but remained composed. On our way back, as our preferred train/bus tickets were sold out, we had to leave earlier. The inn was accommodating with our breakfast time. We initially asked them to reduce the portion for the child and just serve scrambled eggs, but they insisted on serving the full original portions, telling us to eat as much as we could. Their reasoning was that since we had paid, we should receive the full amount we ordered, which we respected. We simply didn't want to waste food. Overall, we were satisfied and really appreciated the Japanese culture and traditional decor in all aspects."

"Our stay at Yufuin ”Tano-kura” was absolutely flawless. First off, the service was truly top-notch. Our dedicated staff member (SIC) was incredibly professional and attentive, taking exceptional care of us throughout our visit. What really put us at ease was their meticulous attention to confirming food allergies, which allowed us to fully enjoy the exquisite and delicious cuisine without any worries. Every interaction, from the introduction to the hotel facilities to the meal service in our room, was handled with utmost politeness and respect. The environment was impeccably clean and tidy, making for a wonderfully comfortable stay. This trip truly allowed us to relax completely; we left feeling fully recharged and revitalized. Our sincere thanks for such a perfect experience!"

"Although it's a little over a kilometer from the station, I highly recommend walking instead of taking a taxi, as the scenery along the way is absolutely beautiful. Cherry blossoms, streams, small bridges, distant mountains, fields, and a mix of Western and Japanese-style houses create a very soothing atmosphere. The hotel exceeded my expectations. The lobby is grand, and the front desk staff are fluent in English and provide detailed information. On the top floor (4th floor), there's an observation onsen. The rooms are purely Japanese style, clean, tidy, comfortable, spacious, fully functional, and offer expansive views of beautiful scenery. There's also a restaurant in the lobby. Many restaurants in Yufuin's Yunotsubo Street and Floral Village close by 4 PM. Personally, I find this natural, unspoiled environment much more relaxing than those famous, trendy tourist spots."

"Nestled on a hillside behind Yufuin's main Yunotsubo street, this hotel is a convenient ten-minute walk from the main thoroughfare. We booked the half-board option, and both the Japanese-style breakfast and dinner were delicious. The onsen (hot spring) facilities were also excellent, and having two private baths available for reservation was a huge plus. Overall, it offers great value for money."

"This hotel offers excellent value for money. The environment is beautiful, and the kaiseki cuisine (two meals per night) is delicious and beautifully presented. The onsen (hot spring) is very comfortable; I recommend the public onsen for its even more beautiful view. The private onsen is a bit cramped."

"I booked this onsen hotel more than half a year in advance, and it certainly didn't disappoint. The attention to detail was exceptional, truly impeccable. Having stayed at many beautiful onsen hotels in Japan, this was probably the best experience I've had! The hotel is right in the middle of Yufuin's main shopping street and offers free parking, which was the only place we found free parking during our Kyushu trip. Both breakfast and dinner were served in a private room. Before each meal, someone meticulously introduced every dish to us and even helped take photos – a truly ceremonial experience!"

"I went to drop off my luggage before check-in, and they were very kind, even giving me a mini map they'd drawn themselves. It had recommendations for good restaurants and places to visit, which was incredibly thoughtful and cute. At check-in time, I was offered a welcome tea and persimmons. After waiting about 10 minutes, I checked in, and they explained everything so well, from breakfast and onsen times to the features of the building. My room was super clean and pretty, and there was even a mini-heater, making it cozy. The view outside was also beautiful. They were almost overwhelmingly friendly! I really enjoyed the private indoor and outdoor onsens. In the mornings, the onsens switch to separate male and female baths, so you can enjoy them again. I had to leave early in the morning and missed breakfast, which is a real shame. The neighborhood is quiet, the owners are all friendly, and they even have a system to send your luggage to the station beforehand, which was fantastic. If I come back, I'll definitely stay here again. I had a wonderful, relaxing stay. Thank you!"

"A hot spring ryokan in Yufuin. The location is a bit of a walk from the main tourist area, about 10-15 minutes on foot. Shops in the immediate vicinity tend to close quite early, but there's a convenience store nearby for any last-minute necessities. While the staff's English proficiency was average, they were incredibly friendly and went out of their way to assist us. The property was spotless, and the air conditioning was excellent, ensuring a very comfortable night's sleep. The rooms are quite spacious, making them ideal for families or guests with a lot of luggage. The toilet and bathroom are separate, and even the washbasin area has a door, which is great as it prevents disturbing others who might be sleeping. Given the limited number of rooms, we enjoyed the onsen three times during our two-night stay without encountering any other guests, and the hot spring itself was very clean. Both breakfast and dinner were thoughtfully prepared, and dining in our own room was a truly delightful experience."

"This guesthouse offers great value for money. It has a private onsen (hot spring bath), but we booked a room with a shared bathroom, so using the onsen was practically mandatory. It costs 250 yen per person, booked by time, so you won't be sharing with other guests. A soak before bed is incredibly relaxing. Breakfast can be ordered from the owner; it's simple: vegetable soup and bread, 300 yen per person. The guesthouse also provides complimentary drinks: coffee, milk tea, and lemonade. Late August is probably the off-season, so the guesthouse wasn't crowded. The owner has his own garden and does weaving, so he sells his own handmade soaps, essential oils, sachets, and fabric products – very natural and cozy. The rooms were very clean. You need to change into slippers before entering the building where your room is located; the owner is quite particular. The guesthouse has a shared refrigerator and washing machine. We bought some wine and yogurt and put them in there. We enjoyed them after our evening onsen soak and also had them with the yogurt in the morning. Perfect! The guesthouse is about a 15-minute walk from Yufuin Station, but the path is lined with rice paddies and a small river – lush and green, perfect for summer, with the sounds of insects and a gentle breeze. Bicycles are also available for rent at guesthouses; you can ask the owner. Hope you enjoy summer in Yufuin!"

"This beautiful Ryokan is over 100 years old with deep heritage. I like that it stay as it is as if time stood still. So full of character. I was drawn to the onsens featuring beautiful outdoor views. You'll get to enjoy indoor and outdoor onsens here.. You get to try different types of onsens as they switch around. The highlight was the mountain view, the tranquility that some accommodation lacks due to the amount of guests. Here, you see mostly adults, hence irs ideal for people looking for a quieter retreat. Finally I was absolutely blown away by the wagyu beef at each dinner buffet. The Oita beef was of good quality and there was crab legs and so many variety of seafood and Oita specialty. Breakfast did not disappoint. Love the Yufuin milk and the pudding. Service staff was very attentive too. Ideally for non driving travellers. A short walk to the station and kinrin river."