I have been traveling around Oita Prefecture for nearly 20 years now. Actually Oita Prefecture was the first place that I lived in Japan and with so many interesting and amazing locations to explore, it felt like every weekend was packed with sightseeing and adventure activities.
I remember clearly the first time I came to Yufuin. It was a sleepy, tranquil and pristine location that attracted the elite and top end travelers with people coming here for a relaxing weekend or having a holiday house/ cabin in the region. It wasn't particularly set up for the younger, backpacker, type of traveler at all.
Over the decades a huge change has transpired. Of course there is still the high end resorts and Michelin starred restaurants but the younger generation has forced a major change on this sleepy town, with out of the ordinary, trendy and pop culture speciality shops popping up all over. Now, I might be a little on the traditional side now that I am older but a small part of me wishes the Instagrammable culture of this current generation had not found this special area of Oita Prefecture.
Located only 2 hours from Fukuoka City by train, loads and loads of travelers come here everday but weekends can be vert intense. It is a place now that you have to be very careful on your arrival and departure time because parking can be a huge problem, with a limited infrastructure and extremely narrow roads.
Having said this, there are hundreds and hundreds of shops to explore on the main shopping street but the real gem here is Kirin Lake, with its picturesque vistas whilst strolling around the outside walking path. At certain times of the day and the year the refections and mist that radiates off the lake are absolutely spellbounding and shouldn't be missed.
All in all an incredible attraction that an hour and a half is truly needed to fell the real quaintness of this rural hot spring resort town.
Please look below to see Yufuin on a map:
Please click on the photos below to enlarge:
The drive in is superb
Young people love this place
Get in line for photos
Umbrellas are popular gifts
Lots of shopping to do
Rickshaw options
Yufuin station
Reflections
Pop culture is everywhere
Picture perfect
Please click on the video below to see more about Yufuin:
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