Things to do in Yufuin

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Yufuin
Yufu
Yufuin showing tranquil scenes, a lake or waterhole and landscape views
Yufuin
Yufuin
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Yufuin must see attractions

1. Kinrin Lake

When mist creates a cloud over the surface of the warm water, Kinrin Lake seems like a portal to another world, suffused with a potent magic. Fed by a volcanic spring at its base and other springs whose cooler streams pour in, the lake stays warm year round with the same geothermal energy that feeds the onsen baths throughout Yufuin. Knowing how it works doesn’t make it any less magical in early morning, when the contrast between hot water and cold air creates the lake’s signature fog. Start the day here to be full of the relaxing energy that makes Yufuin such a popular destination.
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Yufuin_KinrinLake_553248621532763210_02

2. Showa Retro Park

Although the Showa Retro Park is a blast from the past, in many ways it celebrates change. It is seemingly dedicated to the entire Showa Period, during the reign of Emperor Hirohito, from 1926 to 1989. In particular it celebrates the Showa 30s (1955-1965), an era of radical shifts in Japanese history.
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Showa Retro Park

3. Yufuin Stained Glass Museum

Everything in the Yufuin Stained Glass Museum, from the bricks to the furniture, was imported from Europe. Japan’s first full-scale stained-glass museum is a celebration both of this distinctly European art form and of European culture more generally, perfect for a town modeled on the continent’s spa towns. Visit for the art and the pleasing cultural dissonance.
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Yufuin Stained Glass Museum

4. Yufuin Retro Motor Museum

The founder of Yufuin Retro Motor Museum, a town local, has amassed quite an impressive collection of motor vehicles. With a collection of 70 cars, 30 motorcycles, tricycles, small airplanes and retro buses, he is one of the region’s biggest amateurs and opened the museum in 1988. Get a sense both of his own idiosyncratic tastes and the history of Japan’s mechanized transport at a museum right off Yufuin’s main street.
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Yufuin Retro Motor Museum

5. Bussanji Temple

With its heavy thatched roof, Bussanji Temple announces its heritage at first glance. Though the history is hazy, legend says that a monk founded the shrine more than a thousand years ago after receiving an oracle at Kirishima Shrine, at the southern end of the island. He carved a statue of Kannon bodhisattva and placed it on Mount Yufu, where a monastery grew up around it. There it remained until the late 16th century, when an earthquake brought the statue down to the valley and the people of Yufuin built a temple where it fell. Sense the deep spirituality of the space, which has been a center of religious life in the village for a very long time.
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Bussanji Temple

6. Norman Rockwell Yufuin Museum

Yufuin may not be the most obvious place to celebrate midcentury American illustration, but the Normal Rockwell Yufuin Museum serves this role quite nicely. The art here is made up of private works owned by several Yufuin families, who saw captured in the illustrations a common sensibility.
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Norman Rockwell Yufuin Museum

7. Yufuin Trick Art Meikyukan Museum

Riding a flying carpet may be impossible in real life, but after a visit to Yufuin Trick Art Meikyukan Museum, you’ll have pictures proving you did. The museum was created by Masashi Hattori, a Japanese artist who specializes in optical illusion paintings. On a gloomy Yufuin day, when outdoor activities offer only sodden jeans, spend an hour going from painting to painting, letting the tricky techniques warp your understanding of space.
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Yufuin Trick Art Meikyukan Museum

What to do in Yufuin

Discover the most popular places to visit in Yufuin

Kinrin Lake

Kinrin Lake

The picturesque emblem of Yufuin, this geothermal lake has a remarkable beauty that is best appreciated when the air is chilly.

Kinrin Lake
Mount Yufu

Mount Yufu

A long hike up the volcano pays off, both from the beauty of the walk and the stunning sea and valley views from the peak.

Mount Yufu
Showa Retro Park

Showa Retro Park

Japan of the 1950s is reproduced in remarkable detail in a museum celebrating the daily life of a recently passed era.

Showa Retro Park
Yufuin Stained Glass Museum

Yufuin Stained Glass Museum

Soft light streaming through colored windows suggests the north of England, but this museum is in the thoroughly Japanese neighborhood of Yufuin.

Yufuin Stained Glass Museum
Yufuin Retro Motor Museum

Yufuin Retro Motor Museum

Examples of some of the world’s best-known sports cars appear alongside motorcycles, a bus and even a few small planes in this private collection.

Yufuin Retro Motor Museum
Bussanji Temple

Bussanji Temple

Set in a shaded forest, this 16th-century temple with a long history offers relaxation and meditation to visitors of any faith.

Bussanji Temple
Norman Rockwell Yufuin Museum

Norman Rockwell Yufuin Museum

Best known for his covers of the Saturday Evening Post, a great American illustrator is the subject of this small but enthusiastic collection in Japan.

Norman Rockwell Yufuin Museum
Yufuin Trick Art Meikyukan Museum

Yufuin Trick Art Meikyukan Museum

Mind-bending optical illusions offer opportunities for photos, special events and good fun on rainy days right off Yufuin’s main tourist street.

Yufuin Trick Art Meikyukan Museum
Sueda Art Gallery

Sueda Art Gallery

Works of two of Japan’s best-known modernist sculptors and artists fill this private museum, making it feel a bit like entering their home, full of an easy intimacy.

Sueda Art Gallery

Popular day trips from Yufuin

Beppu showing night scenes

Beppu

Yufu

Yufu

Frequently asked questions

Is Yufuin worth visiting?
Providing a blend of nature and hiking, there are many things to do in Yufuin. When you're here, head to Yunohira Hot Spring, a top attraction in the area.
How do I spend a day in Yufuin?
When you've checked off leading attractions like Yunohira Hot Spring and Kinrin Lake, spend some time enjoying the food and retail options in Yufuin.
What is the top tourist attraction in Yufuin?
You can't go home without visiting Yunohira Hot Spring, rated the top tourist attraction in Yufuin.
Is three days enough to stay in Yufuin?
Three days in Yufuin is more than enough to visit the city's main highlights. Many guests spend two days on average. Yunohira Hot Spring, Kinrin Lake and Bussanji Temple are highly rated sights. Like to see more? Stick around a bit longer to explore nearby hotspots like Beppu.
What are some activities to do in Yufuin with kids?
Deciding what to do in Yufuin with kids has never been simpler. Whether you're traveling with little ones or teenagers, there's a range of family-friendly activities to keep everyone happy here.

What to do in Yufuin for adults?
Whether you're a culture enthusiast, food connoisseur or thrill seeker, there's lots of things to do in Yufuin for adults including Yufuin Trick Art Meikyukan Museum.
Are there free things to do in Yufuin?
In Yufuin, Kinrin Lake is a popular spot for anyone wanting to enjoy the city without reaching for their wallet. Also, check out the other neighborhoods and green spaces, and ask for recommendations from a local tour guide. It's an easy way to find out about the best free things to do in Yufuin.

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