December 5, 2025

OITA: Things to do (and eat) in Yufuin

Yufuin is a charming onsen town located in Oita Prefecture, Kyushu. It is well known for its chilled and relaxed atmosphere, scenic mountain views, and trendy cafes and of course, unique onsen ryokan. It is pretty easy to explore Yufuin by foot as the main walking street starts right in front of the train station. There are many small artisanal shops, cafes and dessert stands, craft boutiques, museums lined along the main walking streets.

To come here, you may board the retro looking forest-theme sightseeing train – Yufuin no Mori ! The journey takes about 2hours and 15mins to Yufuin. This train is covered by the JR Kyushu North Kyushu Pass and JR Kyushu All Pass. Reservation is a must to board onto this train (there are no non-reserved seats available on this train).

If you didn’t manage to reserve the Yufuin no Mori, you can still take the Limited Express YUFU to come here.

As you got off from the train, you will be greeted with the view of Mount Yufu. Here is the view right in front of the train station.

Beautiful Mount Yufu.

For full itinerary, check out JAPAN TRIP 2023: 10d9n in Okayama, Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Kashima and Yufuin

Also, check out JAPAN TRIP 2023: 8D7N in Fukuoka, Kashima, Yufuin & Mojiko

Things to do (and eat) in Yufuin

1. Stroll along the main shopping street

The main shopping street Yunotsubo Kaido 湯の坪街道runs from Yufuin train station to Lake Kinrin. It takes about 20 minutes to walk through the whole streets without checking out any of the shops. However, this street is lined with a lot of interesting shops and café and stand selling local delicacies that may take you at least one to two hours of strolling.

Ahhh, Ghibli store!

2. Dive into the Snoopy Village!

I am not a super fan of snoopy but I somehow… converted?! Well, how can one resist when seeing all these cute stuffs and I’d spent quite a bit every time I walk into Snoopy or Ghibli, already “prohibit” myself to walk into Sanrio and Miffy. LOL.

I have to admit I am a fan of Woodstock. Haha.

Cute isn’t it?! There are a lot of limited edition goods or “Yufuin only” items available in this store.

3. Eat Yufuin Kinsho Croquette

The “Gold Award” Croquette which is often very crowded and you will see each person is holding one in the hand. The Croquette is deep fried into perfection, coated with crispy exterior and soft creamy center.

Priced at ¥200 for one, we had the beef and pork one. Both were bursting with creaminess, but I love the beef one that was dosed with more aroma. Yumz!

湯布院金賞コロッケ
1481-7 Yufuincho Kawakami, Yufu, Oita 879-5102, Japan
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4. Queue for the Mabushi Rice in Yufumabushi Shin

Yufumabushi Shin is specializing in claypot rice made of bungo beef, eel, and chicken. Each mabushi rice comes in a set, served with beautifully plated appetizers, pickled vegetables, soup, and seasonings on the side.

I love the Bungo Beef Mabushi; deliciously grilled bungo beef with a hint of aromatic charcoal-grilled scent, tender, juicy, and very aromatic with its melty fats; layered on a bed of chewy plump Japanese rice.

Mix up the beef and rice, and then slowly enjoy it with the pickled vegetables and seasonings like yuzu kosho and spicy miso paste on the table. The flavours of the beef mabushi will change accordingly as you add in different condiments. And finally pour over the dashi broth to be enjoyed it like Ochazuke.

Eel Mabushi.

There are 2 branches in Yufuin, one is near to the rain station and the other one is nearby Lake Kinrin. Do expect there is always a long queue here (at both branches too) during the peak hour.

由布まぶし心金鱗湖本店
1492-1 Yufuincho Kawakami, Yufu, Oita 879-5102, Japan
Opens from 10.30am to 5.30pm

由布まぶし心由布院駅前支店
5-3 Yufuincho Kawakita, Yufu, Oita 879-5114, Japan
Opens from 10.30am to 8.30pm
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5 Eat the famous B-speak roll cake

B-speak is the roll cake specialty store in Yufuin. I read that their roll cake is always selling fast (especially the sliced version) so I went early for it. The shop doesn’t offer dine in but there are some benches in front of their store. We took away the roll cake (¥1,520) and had it as afternoon tea in our ryokan.

The roll cake was spongy and soft and smooth in texture, packed with eggy aroma and creamy rich in the melt in mouth fresh cream. Perfect with a cup of coffee that afternoon.

B-speak
3040-2 Yufuincho Kawakami, Yufu, Oita 879-5102, Japan
Opens from 10am to 5pm
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6. Eat everything Milch!

Milch means milk in German. Milch in Yufuin is famous for the German cheesecake and puddings, and also their donuts. They use locally produced Yufuin milk in their products.

Käse Kuchen (¥240)
Rich and creamy with melt-in-mouth texture cup cheese cake was, the signature of Milch where one must not missed. You can get this on Yufuin no Mori too!

Milch Pudding (¥330) – the milk pudding
Me as super big fan of pudding will always pay for it every time I see pudding!

Käse Pudding (¥450) – cheese pudding
This cheese pudding is composed of four layers – fresh cream, soufflé cheese, pudding and caramel. It is like a hybrid of cheese cake and pudding; soft, fluffy, creamy and in a light cheese flavour. Served in a really cute milk bottle where you can take home as a souvenir!

Milch Krapfen (¥140)
Donut with a light butter-ish aroma.
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7. Eat Goma ice cream

Couldn’t resist anything sesame so we opted for this black sesame ice cream when we saw the staff pounding sesame at the display! Rich, creamy and aromatic with the black and white sesame ice cream, and dosed with the ground sesame too.

8. More photos in Yufuin Floral Village

Yufuin Floral Village is a quaint looking European village, designed inspired by the Cotswolds in England. There are cute colourful cottage houses, stone-liked pathway, perfect for photography. There are many charming little stores offering souvenirs and gifts. Just spend some times to stroll along, you will find many cute surprises.

9. Catch the mystical view of Lake Kinrin 金鱗湖

When you come to the end of the walking street, it will lead you to Lake Kinrin. Lake Kinrin is one of the town’s most famous landmarks and known for its misty, dreamlike appearance early in the morning.

I didn’t manage to catch the mystical view of Lake Kinrin in March 2023, so during the November trip; I told myself I must wake up extra early in the morning for this beautiful view. I am not sure how early one should be but I was there at around 7.30am for this view.

This beautiful sight happens on cold days, from autumn to winter mornings, due to the temperature differences, it gives such a steam from the surface of the lake. Do not miss out on the magical misty view of the lake if you are here!

10. Complete your Yufuin visit with a stay in Ryokan

Yufuin is a famous tourist attraction, the ryokan and accommodation in this area are priced quite a steep one as compared to many other places. I ended up splurging a little and indulging in this hot spring town – a luxury stay in Yufuin Bettei ITSUKI that came with great kaiseki dinner and a sumptuous heart-warming breakfast spread. Read here on both my experiences in early Spring and Autumn .

I must say… This has to be the best best best best and most most most shiawase stay I ever had! And everyone on my tour agreed too! LOL. if I were to revisit Yufuin again, I would definitely pick this place again!