Hot Spring Hotels in Yufu

This was my first time staying at this onsen ryokan, and it was a fantastic experience! The ryokan is in a great location, very close to Lake Kinrin, making for an easy stroll. The room was spacious and comfortable, and the common areas were also beautifully designed. The biggest surprise was the private in-room onsen; it was much larger than I expected and incredibly relaxing. The food quality was excellent, and what was even more thoughtful was how attentive the staff were: they carefully checked beforehand to ensure there were no allergens in my food, which made me feel completely at ease. If I get the chance, I'll definitely stay here again!

Everything was perfect in this hotel! Room is spacious and there are both indoor and outdoor private onsen in the room. The futon was the softest and most comfortable I’ve ever had in Japanese onsen hotels. Dinner was amazing and breakfast was good enough. It would be better if we can choose Japanese or Western style for breakfast. We was looking for grilled fish or sth in Japanese style. Will visit again definitely!

The hotel is conveniently located for travelers traveling without a car, about a 10-minute walk from the JR station and the express bus station, and very close to Yufuin Street. The hotel is very quiet, with each room offering its own private bathroom. The hotel also provides complimentary tea and beer, as well as onsen eggs. The staff were exceptionally friendly. I'd definitely stay at the same hotel again.

Facilities: A little old, very Japanese style, the room is a little small Hygiene: Very clean! Very clean! Environment: It is a hot spring hotel on the mountain, the environment is quite good, you can soak in the open-air hot spring in the room, it is perfect on snowy days Service: Very good, the boss and the waiter have a high level of English, barrier-free communication Breakfast and dinner are very rich, and the dishes will be introduced in English after serving. Since it is on the mountain, you can pick up and drop off back and forth, which is very good!

Facilities: The facilities are very complete, the room has everything you need, and the tatami mat is super comfortable! Waking up to the view of Mount Yufu is truly blissful! I absolutely love the open-air onsen; soaking in the hot spring while gazing at the mountains gives you a wonderful feeling of being one with nature! Cleanliness: So clean! The onsen is also very clean! Environment: Unobstructed views of Mount Yufu, the scenery is absolutely stunning! Service: Very classic Japanese service, the staff are incredibly friendly!

Here's a review of my stay: 1. **Location and Amenities: A Quiet Corner with Easy Access** The hotel is conveniently located, about a 7 to 10-minute walk from JR Yufuin Station, making it easy to find while also being away from the busiest commercial areas. Right next door is a Lawson convenience store, and there's a supermarket nearby, which is super handy for anyone who likes to grab snacks and drinks in the evening. 2. **Hot Spring Facilities: Highly Private ”Kashikiri” Experience** This is truly the highlight of the inn! There are 5 private family hot springs (private baths), including both indoor and outdoor options. No reservations are needed; you just check if the light at the entrance is off, and if so, it's free to use. **Tech-Savvy Management:** Guests can scan a QR code with their phone to instantly check the real-time availability of each private bath, saving you a wasted trip. **A Small Tip:** If you're staying in winter, the path to the outdoor baths and some outdoor showering areas can feel quite cold. If you're sensitive to cold, I recommend prioritizing private baths #1-3, which are indoors. 3. **Dining Experience: A Hearty Yakiniku Feast** We opted for the half-board plan, and dinner was enjoyed at a partner yakiniku restaurant. The wagyu beef was excellent quality and incredibly generous in portion. There was even a bonus offer of unlimited alcoholic beverages and plum wine, making it fantastic value for money. The Japanese-style breakfast the next day was also very filling, providing a great start to our day. 4. **Unique Atmosphere: A Paradise for Animal Lovers** The inn has very gentle cats and dogs living on the premises. If you're lucky, the resident cat manager might even appear in common areas or even come by your room for a patrol. For animal-loving travelers, this sense of warmth and comfort is something other hotels simply can't replicate. 5. **Accommodation Details and Recommendations** **Room Space:** The new wing rooms are spacious, blending modern comfort with traditional Japanese aesthetics.

What a blast I had here!!! I only stayed for one night and now I wish I had stayed longer. It was a Friday so Rio, the owner, organizes a night of games at the public gymnasium for teenagers (who although growing up already have the strength of super-powered samurais) and whoever else wants to participate. I haven't run and wake up with so many bruises since high school! It was really cool how everyone is quick to set the props for each game, we played 4 or 5 games in one hour!!!! It felt like a much longer time, everyone gave their best presence and participation all the time! It seems the other nights he takes everyone for a walk to see the stars, and Tuesdays there's also volleyball. Anyways, he is pretty proactive and creative , so I'm sure there's many variations and possibilities! The living room is very pretty, the sofas super comfortable and the view gorgeous! The bed was very hard :/ this was the only big issue for me. The onsen is so cozy, the water super smooth and instrumental music playing. Delicious! The conditioner smells great! I was a bit worried that they had too many rules, because when I contacted they informed about the need to leave the house everyday from 10 until 16. And that the eating time was very specific: 7:20 in the morning and 7 at night... So I was worried they would be too strict...but there's no need to join the food. I had breakfast and it felt like it would be at the communal dinning of beauxbatons, everyone sitting closeby with identical very beautifully presented meals that come in many quantity but small portions. It is not my jam, but for sure it is special! Some informations could be a bit more clear because they are a bit slow responding. For example they have a pick up time in front of the army at 6pm. I asked info for an amazing lady at the Art Center inside the station, Chika, and she called them. She ended up taking me herself and was the best company I could have found! She is an artist, we went to the supermarket and had great conversation! I recommend going to the art center to say hi to Chika! Lots of love, thank youuu Mountain Mamas!!!

The room is fully equipped with amenities, so you can literally just bring yourself. The hot spring bathhouse has two indoor pools and one outdoor pool. Towels and a water dispenser are provided on-site, and there are lockers with electronic locks for your belongings. The massage service is available in-room, and the masseuses are very professional, meticulously asking about areas to focus on or avoid beforehand.

Baien is truly the best. The private open-air bath and the large public bath are both excellent. (Note: Be sure to confirm the private open-air bath when booking your ryokan stay.) The ryokan is spacious, so walks around the property are lovely. Both breakfast and dinner (kaiseki) are also superb. However, there's no entertainment nearby, so if your sole purpose is to enjoy the hot springs, you definitely won't regret it. I'd love to visit again in winter.

Although the hotel is a bit old, it's exactly the style and feel I wanted: rustic decor, beautiful surroundings, a first-class private bath, and a great location—perfect for anyone who enjoys hiking. Dinner and breakfast were incredibly plentiful. In short, it was fantastic, and I'll definitely come back.