Yufuin Onsen, located in the center of Oita Prefecture, is a hot spring resort rich in nature that spreads out at the foot of Mt. Yufu, affectionately known as Bungo Fuji, about an hour's drive from Oita Airport. Located at an altitude of about 500 meters, it is also popular as a summer resort and has been designated as a national hot spring resort by the Ministry of the Environment. With about 850 hot springs and a flow rate of 38,500 liters per minute, the town is the second largest in Japan, so there is no need for hot spring inns to be crowded together, and many people are attracted to the relaxed and calm atmosphere of the town.

The spring quality is simple hot spring (including alkaline). Simple hot springs are less irritating and have no unpleasant taste, so people of all ages, from children to the elderly, and even people with sensitive skin can bathe in them with peace of mind. In particular, alkaline simple hot springs with a pH of 8.5 or higher are rich in metasilicic acid, which is expected to have a moisturizing effect, and are known as "beauty skin water" due to their smooth texture.

Many of the hot spring inns have open-air baths, and one of the unique ways to enjoy Yufuin Onsen is to gaze out at nature from the bath. You can experience nature and the changing seasons up close, such as the dynamic view of Mt. Yufu on a clear day, or the fantastic morning mist that floats in the early mornings of autumn and winter.

The symbol of Yufuin is the "Tourist Horse-drawn Carriage Tour" which takes you around the tourist spots in a horse-drawn carriage. It was launched to revive the number of visitors that had ceased due to the 1975 Oita Prefecture Chubu Earthquake, and celebrated its 50th anniversary of operation in July this year. Horse-drawn carriages that tour the town are rare even nationwide and are an indispensable part of the scenery. The sight of them galloping against the majestic Satoyama landscape is very cool.

Another attraction of Yufuin is the variety of events that take place in the basin. The Yufuin Music Festival, where you can enjoy classical chamber music, is held every July, and the Yufuin Film Festival, the oldest existing Japanese film festival, is held every August. Don't miss the summer in Yufuin, where you can enjoy classical music and music.

Meanwhile, a unique and popular autumn event is the "Yufuin Beef Scream Contest," where participants enjoy a barbecue of locally bred "Yufuin Beef," then compete for the loudest and most detailed shout out of their hearts. Around 600 people gather every year in search of fresh Yufuin beef.

The event began as a regional development movement in the town of Yufuin. At the time, Yufuin was struggling financially, and livestock farmers were forced to give up their pastures due to financial difficulties. In an attempt to break this cycle, the town launched the "One Cow Farm Movement," which called for new cow owners nationwide. The owners who gathered there were invited to a barbecue, and the screaming contest was born.

The music festival, film festival, and thrilling contest have reached the milestone of their 50th anniversary, along with the horse-drawn carriage tour. Learning about the history of the events will allow you to appreciate the charm of Yufuin Onsen from a different perspective.

Yufuin Onsen is a hot spring resort located in a basin surrounded by 1,000m-class mountains, and Lake Kinrinko, a symbol of this area's abundant nature, is a rare lake where fresh water springs up from the bottom and hot springs flow into it. As a result, the water temperature is high all year round, and from autumn to winter, when the outside air temperature drops, you can see the fantastic sight of mist rising from the lake's surface. The beautiful morning mist that envelops the basin, a seasonal feature of this time of year, is said to be the result of steam from the lake containing the hot springs. The lake is about 400m in circumference, and there is a walking path, so why not take a leisurely stroll around the lake?

Another recommended walking spot is the road along the Oita River, just off the main road. You can enjoy the scenery of the four seasons, with cherry blossoms and rape blossoms in the spring, and the snow melting on Mt. Yufu in winter. The tranquil atmosphere unique to Yufuin is soothing! You'll want to visit the town again and again.

【basic information】
Address: 1561-1 Kawakami, Yufuin-cho, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture
・Website (Yufu City Tourism Bureau): https://yufu-tic.jp/shiori/444/
・Inquiries: TEL: 0977-84-2446 (Yufu City Tourist Information Center, business hours 9:00-17:30)