8 Recommended Day-Trip Hot Springs in Yufuin! From Natural Springs to Private Open-Air Baths
Yufuin Has Many Charming Day-Trip Hot Springs!
Day-trip hot springs in Yufuin are known for their abundant water volume and diverse spring qualities. The appeal lies in the bathing experience that harmonizes with nature, such as open-air baths overlooking the magnificent Mount Yufu or public baths with water flowing directly from the source. Most are simple thermal springs or alkaline simple thermal springs, which are gentle and suitable for everyone. You can expect benefits such as fatigue recovery and skin-beautifying effects. Additionally, they are rich in metasilicic acid, which is considered to have excellent moisturizing properties. Dotted throughout the rural landscape, these hot spring facilities allow you to enjoy a unique charm that blends a rustic atmosphere with urban elements. It is one of Japan's leading hot spring areas, attracting people seeking relaxation and healing for both mind and body.
8 Recommended Day-Trip Hot Springs in Yufuin
"Tsukahara Onsen Kakonoizumi": Enveloped in Mysterious Yellow-Green Waters
Provided by: Nifty Onsen
Nestled in the deep outskirts of Yufuin, Tsukahara Onsen Kakonoizumi is a precious hot spring known for its strongly acidic water with a pH of 1.9. The yellow-green water, which wells up from directly below the crater of Mount Garan, is rich in iron and aluminum ions and is reputed to be highly effective for chronic skin diseases. The facility is fully equipped with a large public bath (500 yen), an open-air bath (600 yen), and private family baths. In addition to the hot springs, you can enjoy crater tours (5-minute walk, fee applies) and purchase source water as souvenirs. Why not experience the power of this hidden hot spring during your Yufuin sightseeing?
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1235 Tsukahara, Yufuin-cho, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture 879-5101 |
| Access | Approx. 15 minutes by taxi from JR Yufuin Station; approx. 5 minutes by car from Yufudake Smart IC |
| Parking | 60 spaces (free) |
| Business Hours | – |
| Fees | – |
"Yama no Hotel Musouen": A 100-Tatami Mat Open-Air Bath with Views of Mount Yufu
Provided by: Nifty Onsen
Located on a hill in Yufuin, Yama no Hotel Musouen is famous for its exceptionally open-air baths. From the men’s-only "Gomusou no Yu" (approx. 100 tatami mats) and the women’s-only "Kukai no Yu" (over 150 tatami mats), you can overlook the majestic Mount Yufu and the Yufuin Basin. The alkaline simple thermal spring water is effective for neuralgia, muscle pain, and sensitivity to cold. Day-trip bathing is available from 10:00 to 14:30 (last admission 14:00). The breathtaking views during the morning mist of autumn and winter or at dusk are a must-see. This is a supreme healing spot where you can fully enjoy the natural beauty unique to Yufuin.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1243 Kawaminami, Yufuin-cho, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture |
| Access | Approx. 5 minutes by taxi from JR Yufuin Station |
| Parking | Available (60 spaces, free) |
| Business Hours | 10:00–14:30 (last admission 14:00) |
| Fees | – |
"Yunomori Chikusen": A Healing Space Surrounded by Bamboo Forests
Provided by: Nifty Onsen
Located about 30 minutes by car from Oita City, Yunomori Chikusen is a hidden gem of a hot spring surrounded by a bamboo forest. It features free-flowing alkaline simple thermal water and is popular as a "beauty bath" due to its high skin-beautifying effects. In addition to the gender-separated open-air baths "Madake no Yu" and "Horai-chiku no Yu," it is equipped with 7 unique family baths. You can enjoy the different atmosphere of each, such as "Kurochiku no Yu," which offers both an indoor and outdoor bath, and "Dokuutsu no Yu," which features a cave bath. Prices start at 500 yen for adults, 200 yen for children, and 1,800 yen per hour for family baths. Why not spend some luxurious healing time here on a day trip?
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1047-1 Kage-no-ki, Rahachi, Hazama-cho, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture |
| Access | Approx. 15 minutes (8 km) by car from Oita IC via Prefectural Road 21. Approx. 55 minutes (36 km) by car from Yufuin Station via National Route 210. |
| Parking | 30 spaces (free) |
| Business Hours | 11:00–22:00 (last admission: 21:15 on weekdays / 21:30 on weekends and holidays) |
| Fees | Large bath: Adults 600 yen, elementary school students and under 300 yen, 2 years to preschool 200 yen. Family bath (60 min): 1,800 yen–2,700 yen |
"Oyado Yagura": Guest Rooms with Free-Flowing Open-Air Baths
Provided by: Nifty Onsen
Located at the foot of Mount Yufu, Oyado Yagura is a luxurious hot spring inn where all 10 rooms are equipped with their own free-flowing open-air baths. The water is an alkaline simple thermal spring (Yufuin Onsen), known for its skin-beautifying effects, and the guest room open-air baths can be used 24 hours a day. Enjoy a premium private hot spring experience while gazing at the seasonal scenery of Yufuin, undisturbed by anyone. The inn is also equipped with large public baths, "Tsuki no Yu" and "Hana no Yu" (6:30–23:00). It is conveniently located about 5 minutes by taxi from JR Yufuin Station. Why not enjoy a quiet, healing time here?
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1270-81 Kawakami, Yufuin-cho, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture 879-5102 |
| Access | 10 minutes by car from Yufuin IC on Oita Expressway. 5 minutes by car from JR Yufuin Station. |
| Parking | Available (free) |
| Business Hours | 11:00–14:00 (food last order at 13:00) |
| Fees | – |
"Yufuin Tsukonoma": The Mysterious Hot Spring That Turns Blue
Provided by: Nifty Onsen
Located on a hill in Yufuin, Yufuin Tsukonoma (formerly Shoya no Yakata) is a popular hot spring spot where you can experience the rare phenomenon of water changing to blue. The mysterious color deepens over time as the source water comes into contact with the air. The spring quality is sodium chloride, which is effective for skin beauty, chronic digestive diseases, and constipation. The large open-air bath overlooking Mount Yufu offers spectacular views. You can enjoy a luxurious bathing experience with 100% free-flowing source water. Open from 9:30 to 18:30, with fees of 800 yen for adults and 500 yen for elementary and junior high school students. Don't miss their famous hot spring pudding and manju steamed buns!
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 444-3 Kawakami, Yufuin-cho, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture 879-5102 |
| Access | 4 minutes by car from JR Kyudai Main Line Yufuin Station; approx. 8 minutes (6 km) from Yufuin IC on the Oita Expressway via Prefectural Road 216. |
| Parking | Available (free), 30 spaces |
| Business Hours | 9:30–18:00 (facility closes at 18:30) |
| Fees | Adults 800 yen, elementary and junior high school students 500 yen |
"Shitan-yu": A Charming Public Bath on the Shores of Lake Kinrin
Provided by: Nifty Onsen
Standing on the shores of Lake Kinrin, "Shitan-yu" is a tasteful mixed-gender public bath that preserves the hot spring culture of Yufuin. It is attractive for its simple thatched-roof exterior and is equipped with both indoor and semi-open-air baths. The water is a simple thermal spring, and the source temperature is quite hot at 69.4°C. The view from the semi-open-air bath overlooking Lake Kinrin is exceptional, and on cold mornings and evenings, it takes on a fantastical atmosphere combined with the mist rising from the lake surface. Business hours are 10:00 to 22:00. It is a valuable hot spring where you can easily experience Yufuin's bathing culture.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1585 Kawakami, Yufuin-cho, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture |
| Access | Approx. 20-minute walk from JR Kyudai Main Line Yufuin Station toward Takemoto/Lake Kinrin. |
| Parking | About 3 free parking spaces; paid parking available nearby. |
| Business Hours | 10:00–22:00 |
| Fees | – |
"Hotaru no Yado Sendo": Hot Springs Flowing from a Thousand-Year-Old Tree
Provided by: Nifty Onsen
Embraced by the nature of Yufuin, Hotaru no Yado Sendo is a quiet hot spring inn located a 2-minute walk from Lake Kinrin. It uses a source that wells up from the roots of a great tree over a thousand years old. The water is a simple thermal spring (56.5°C), which is effective for neuralgia and muscle pain. In addition to gender-separated open-air baths, it is fully equipped with 5 private family baths (free for guests). At night, the area is illuminated, and in early June, you can enjoy a fantastical atmosphere with the chance to see fireflies. With colorless, transparent, mild spring water and samue (traditional Japanese leisure wear) provided, you can spend a luxurious time healing both mind and body.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 2634-1 Kawakami, Yufuin-cho, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture |
| Access | 5 minutes by taxi from JR Yufuin Station; 10 minutes by car from Yufuin IC. |
| Parking | Available (15 spaces, free) |
| Business Hours | – |
| Fees | – |
A Must-Visit for Sauna Lovers! "Morinoyu Yufuin Yasuiha" with Scenic Views of Mount Yufu
Provided by: Nifty Onsen
Popular among sauna lovers, Morinoyu Yufuin Yasuiha is a hot spring facility where you can enjoy a spectacular sauna overlooking Mount Yufu and the rare "Blue Bath." The sauna is set to a high temperature of 100°C and can be adjusted. Natural spring water is used in the cold plunge pool, and you can see the majestic Mount Yufu from the open-air relaxation space. Open from 10:00 to 20:00, with fees of 900 yen for adults and 500 yen for elementary school students. After your sauna, enjoy a luxurious relaxing time in the private "Blue Bath," which is reputed to have high skin-beautifying effects. Access is also excellent, located about 10 minutes by car from Yufuin Interchange.
| Item | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1270-48 Kawakami, Yufuin-cho, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture |
| Access | Approx. 5 minutes by taxi from JR Yufuin Station; approx. 10 minutes by car from Yufuin IC on Oita Expressway. |
| Parking | Available (10 spaces, free) |
| Business Hours | 10:00–20:00 |
| Fees | Indoor bath: Adults 900 yen, elementary school students 500 yen |
Enjoy Yufuin’s Popular Day-Trip Hot Springs!
Yufuin's day-trip hot springs are healing spaces blessed with abundant source waters and beautiful nature. There are various ways to enjoy them, such as open-air baths with panoramic views of Mount Yufu, luxurious free-flowing waters, and private times in family baths. Yufuin, where you can also enjoy exploring the hot spring town, local gourmet food, and art, is a place where you can fully appreciate its charm even on a day trip. It is a hot spring resort you will want to visit for various occasions—whether you want to refresh your mind and body or spend special time with someone dear. Please enjoy a blissful time in Yufuin, where you can fully savor the rich hot spring culture and the gifts of nature.