In Part 1 of my Kyushu road trip, I shared about our first arrival in Fukuoka, where we spent two relaxing days exploring the city.
From wandering around Kawabata and discovering hidden food spots, visiting beautiful temples like Tōchō-ji and Kushida Shrine, to enjoying the night view near Fukuoka Tower, it was a really nice and easy start to the trip.
We then picked up our rental car and officially started our road trip across Kyushu.
Our first stop was the famous onsen town of Beppu, where we explored several of the unique hot springs, including Umi Jigoku, Oniishi Bozu Jigoku, and Kamado Jigoku.
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From wandering around Kawabata and discovering hidden food spots, visiting beautiful temples like Tōchō-ji and Kushida Shrine, to enjoying the night view near Fukuoka Tower, it was a really nice and easy start to the trip.
We then picked up our rental car and officially started our road trip across Kyushu.
Our first stop was the famous onsen town of Beppu, where we explored several of the unique hot springs, including Umi Jigoku, Oniishi Bozu Jigoku, and Kamado Jigoku.
We also ended the day with the beautiful panoramic view from Yukemuri Observation Deck, watching steam rise across the entire city as the sun slowly set.
After a full day exploring Beppu, it was finally time to continue our road trip deeper into Kyushu.
After a full day exploring Beppu, it was finally time to continue our road trip deeper into Kyushu.
Our next destination was Yufuin, a place we had been really looking forward to visiting.
It was highly recommended by our friends, who are very familiar with Japan and travel here almost every year.
In fact, Fukuoka was already their third time visiting, so we trusted their recommendations quite a lot.
They told us that Yufuin has a completely different atmosphere compared to the bigger cities, much quieter, surrounded by mountains, and known for its relaxing countryside charm.
After hearing so many good things about it, we were honestly very excited to finally see it for ourselves.
We arrived in Yufuin quite late at night after having dinner in Beppu.
The drive from Beppu to Yufuin goes through mountain roads, and along the journey it was very dark, which honestly felt a little scary for us at times.
Some parts of the road were also quite narrow, so we had to drive extra carefully.
Because of that, I would definitely recommend starting the journey earlier in the day if you’re planning to drive to Yufuin.
The drive itself is actually beautiful, but it would probably be much nicer, and less nerve-wracking if you could enjoy the mountain scenery during daylight instead of navigating the roads in the dark.
It was highly recommended by our friends, who are very familiar with Japan and travel here almost every year.
In fact, Fukuoka was already their third time visiting, so we trusted their recommendations quite a lot.
They told us that Yufuin has a completely different atmosphere compared to the bigger cities, much quieter, surrounded by mountains, and known for its relaxing countryside charm.
After hearing so many good things about it, we were honestly very excited to finally see it for ourselves.
We arrived in Yufuin quite late at night after having dinner in Beppu.
The drive from Beppu to Yufuin goes through mountain roads, and along the journey it was very dark, which honestly felt a little scary for us at times.
Some parts of the road were also quite narrow, so we had to drive extra carefully.
Because of that, I would definitely recommend starting the journey earlier in the day if you’re planning to drive to Yufuin.
The drive itself is actually beautiful, but it would probably be much nicer, and less nerve-wracking if you could enjoy the mountain scenery during daylight instead of navigating the roads in the dark.
Yufuin
Here’s where we stayed in Yufuin for the next 3 nights, Ryokan Yufuin Sansuikan.
I was honestly quite excited about this stay, especially because we planned to spend 3 nights here, which meant we could really slow down and enjoy the peaceful countryside vibe.
One of the main reasons we chose this ryokan was because it has its own onsen within the property, so we didn’t even have to go out to experience it, everything was right there.
I was honestly quite excited about this stay, especially because we planned to spend 3 nights here, which meant we could really slow down and enjoy the peaceful countryside vibe.
One of the main reasons we chose this ryokan was because it has its own onsen within the property, so we didn’t even have to go out to experience it, everything was right there.
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Instead of the typical ryokan experience with tatami flooring, we choose to stay in a three-bedroom style room, which felt much more spacious and comfortable for us.
It had a more modern layout while still keeping some Japanese design elements, so it was a nice balance between comfort and local experience.
One small thing to note about Yufuin Sansuikan is that the shower room inside the room is slightly small.
But I guess that’s understandable, since most guests would usually head to the onsen to shower and bathe instead.
So the in-room shower feels more like a basic, secondary option, while the main bathing experience is meant to be enjoyed at the onsen facilities.
The view from our room was really nice.
Even though it faced the main road, it wasn’t noisy at all.
Even though it faced the main road, it wasn’t noisy at all.
I quickly realized that Yufuin is such a quiet town, so you can enjoy the view without any disturbance.
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There were plenty of nice little perks at Yufuin Sansuikan that made the stay even better.
At the lobby, there were massage chairs, perfect for relaxing after a long day.
They also offered free beverages like draft beers, soft drinks, and Japanese sake, along with snacks, biscuits, and even ice cream.
On top of that, you could take free amenities such as combs, socks, and other small essentials.
These thoughtful touches really made the stay feel more comfortable and enjoyable.
At the lobby, there were massage chairs, perfect for relaxing after a long day.
They also offered free beverages like draft beers, soft drinks, and Japanese sake, along with snacks, biscuits, and even ice cream.
On top of that, you could take free amenities such as combs, socks, and other small essentials.
These thoughtful touches really made the stay feel more comfortable and enjoyable.
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The lobby at Yufuin Sansuikan is actually very spacious, much bigger than we expected.
There’s plenty of room to sit and relax, and it doesn’t feel crowded at all even when there are other guests around.
There’s plenty of room to sit and relax, and it doesn’t feel crowded at all even when there are other guests around.
With the massage chairs, free snacks, and drinks all located there, it became a really nice spot for us to just hang out and unwind during our stay.
The ryokan actually has two in-house onsens; one on the first floor and another on the second floor.
They operate on a rotating schedule for men and women, so everyone has the chance to try both onsens during their stay.
I especially liked the first-floor onsen, as it’s much bigger and feels more open and relaxing.
It was the perfect place to unwind after a day of driving and exploring, and I really enjoyed soaking in the warm water while enjoying the calm atmosphere of the ryokan.
It was the perfect place to unwind after a day of driving and exploring, and I really enjoyed soaking in the warm water while enjoying the calm atmosphere of the ryokan.
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I’ve heard so much about onsens in Japan my whole life, and finally, this was going to be my very first onsen experience.
I was definitely excited, but also a little scared, I mean, imagine being naked in public!
At age 40, that felt like something completely new… hahaha.
But I told myself, since we had paid so much for the ryokan mainly because of the onsen, I had to try it at least once.
Surprisingly, it turned out to be such a nice experience. At first, I was very shy, but by the second time it felt more comfortable, and by the third visit, I wasn’t shy at all.
I was really impressed by how Japanese manage their onsen facilities.
Everything is super clean, well-maintained, and the rooms provide all kinds of amenities you might need before and after soaking.
There’s both indoor and outdoor onsens, and I personally loved the outdoor one the most, soaking in hot water while surrounded by the crisp, cold air was just amazing.
I ended up going to the onsen both during the day and at night, honestly, I couldn’t get enough of it!
At age 40, that felt like something completely new… hahaha.
But I told myself, since we had paid so much for the ryokan mainly because of the onsen, I had to try it at least once.
Surprisingly, it turned out to be such a nice experience. At first, I was very shy, but by the second time it felt more comfortable, and by the third visit, I wasn’t shy at all.
I was really impressed by how Japanese manage their onsen facilities.
Everything is super clean, well-maintained, and the rooms provide all kinds of amenities you might need before and after soaking.
There’s both indoor and outdoor onsens, and I personally loved the outdoor one the most, soaking in hot water while surrounded by the crisp, cold air was just amazing.
I ended up going to the onsen both during the day and at night, honestly, I couldn’t get enough of it!
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Our room package included daily buffet breakfast, and it turned out to be really good with a wide variety of choices.
There was a mix of Japanese and Western options, from rice, miso soup, grilled fish, and small side dishes, to bread, eggs, and salad.
Everything was fresh, well-prepared, and nicely presented, making it a great way to start the day.
Everything was fresh, well-prepared, and nicely presented, making it a great way to start the day.
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For dinner, we decided to try their buffet on Christmas Eve, which we actually paid separately for.
My friend highly recommended it, saying it’s one of the more popular buffets in town, so we thought we should give it a try.
And honestly, it didn’t disappoint.
The dinner spread was much more extensive, with a good variety of dishes including fresh seafood, grilled items, hot dishes, and even some festive options.
The dinner spread was much more extensive, with a good variety of dishes including fresh seafood, grilled items, hot dishes, and even some festive options.
They even had wagyu beef, which was definitely a highlight; tender, juicy, and really satisfying.
On top of that, there was free-flow alcohol, including beer, wine, and sake, which made the dinner feel extra indulgent and festive.
The atmosphere also felt a bit more special since it was Christmas Eve, which made the whole experience even more memorable.
Overall, both the breakfast and dinner buffet added a lot to our stay. It was really convenient to have good food within the hotel, and it made our time at the ryokan feel even more relaxing and complete
There’s actually a shortcut from the hotel to the city, which makes it really convenient to explore Yufuin.
The back of the hotel opens up to a beautiful mountain view, and on my first morning, I decided to take a slow walk there.
The back of the hotel opens up to a beautiful mountain view, and on my first morning, I decided to take a slow walk there.
The surroundings were so peaceful and quiet, with fresh air and the soft sounds of nature all around.
It was the perfect way to start the day slowly and really soak in the relaxing countryside vibe of Yufuin.
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On our first day in Yufuin, we met up with our friends from Hong Kong, the same friends I mentioned earlier who visit Japan very often and have already been to Yufuin three times.
Say Hi to Matthew and Maggie from Hong Kong. :)
This time, they actually came over specially to meet us, which made the trip feel even more meaningful.
Say Hi to Matthew and Maggie from Hong Kong. :)
This time, they actually came over specially to meet us, which made the trip feel even more meaningful.
It was really nice to catch up after so many years, and somehow traveling together again in Japan just felt right.
We started the day by exploring Yufuin town, and I have to say, this little town is really charming.
Compared to bigger cities, everything here feels slower, calmer, and more relaxed.
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One of the main streets, Yunotsubo Street, is where most of the action is.
There are lots of cute and unique shops, selling everything from local snacks to handmade souvenirs.
There are lots of cute and unique shops, selling everything from local snacks to handmade souvenirs.
It’s the kind of place where you can just walk slowly, stop whenever something catches your eye, and enjoy the moment without rushing.
With the mountains surrounding the town and the cool, fresh air, the whole experience felt very peaceful and refreshing.
Walking around with friends, chatting, laughing, and just enjoying the simple things, it was honestly one of those moments that made the trip feel extra special.
Walking around with friends, chatting, laughing, and just enjoying the simple things, it was honestly one of those moments that made the trip feel extra special.
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Matthew also recommended us to try the matcha gelato at Telato, and well…if you’re in Japan, you have to try matcha, right? Haha
What I really liked about this place was their unique concept; they offer different levels of sweetness for the matcha gelato, so you can actually choose how intense you want the matcha flavor to be.
I went for the zero sugar option, and it tasted so pure and rich.
The matcha flavor was very strong, slightly bitter, but in a really good way, it felt very authentic and not overly sweet like what we usually get elsewhere.
Definitely a must-try for matcha lovers, especially if you enjoy that deep, original green tea taste.
I went for the zero sugar option, and it tasted so pure and rich.
The matcha flavor was very strong, slightly bitter, but in a really good way, it felt very authentic and not overly sweet like what we usually get elsewhere.
Definitely a must-try for matcha lovers, especially if you enjoy that deep, original green tea taste.
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Yufuin is not just about the charming little town, the overall surroundings are what make it truly special.
Everywhere you look, there are beautiful mountain views, lush greenery, and open spaces, which create such a calm and relaxing atmosphere.
It’s the kind of place where even a simple walk feels enjoyable, because the scenery is always there to accompany you.
Everywhere you look, there are beautiful mountain views, lush greenery, and open spaces, which create such a calm and relaxing atmosphere.
It’s the kind of place where even a simple walk feels enjoyable, because the scenery is always there to accompany you.
With the fresh air, peaceful streets, and nature all around, everything just feels slower and more comfortable.
You don’t feel rushed at all, it’s perfect for just walking around, chilling, and soaking in the moment.
Honestly, it’s this combination of nature + quiet town vibes that makes Yufuin feel so different from the busy cities, and probably why so many people fall in love with it.
Honestly, it’s this combination of nature + quiet town vibes that makes Yufuin feel so different from the busy cities, and probably why so many people fall in love with it.
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One of the highly recommended spots in Yufuin is the charming Yufuin Floral Village.
This place feels like you’ve stepped into a mini fairytale village.
The architecture is inspired by European-style cottages, with small, colorful buildings, flower decorations, and lots of cute little corners to explore.
The architecture is inspired by European-style cottages, with small, colorful buildings, flower decorations, and lots of cute little corners to explore.
It’s not very big, but every spot is super photogenic, so you’ll probably end up spending more time here than expected just taking photos.
Inside, there are also many themed shops and cafes, selling souvenirs, desserts, and even character goods.
It has a very whimsical and playful vibe, which makes it quite different from the more traditional Japanese surroundings in Yufuin.
It has a very whimsical and playful vibe, which makes it quite different from the more traditional Japanese surroundings in Yufuin.
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Even though it was very crowded, I can see why it’s so popular, it’s a really unique and fun place to walk around, especially if you enjoy cute aesthetics and taking photos.
Definitely worth stopping by when you’re exploring Yufuin.
Definitely worth stopping by when you’re exploring Yufuin.
After exploring Yufuin Floral Village, we continued our walk towards the famous lake, Lake Kinrin.
As we arrived at the lake, the atmosphere immediately felt even more calm and peaceful.
The lake is not very big, but it has a very serene and almost magical feeling.
The water is incredibly still, and you can clearly see the reflections of the surrounding trees and mountains on the surface, almost like a mirror.
When the light hits it just right, the reflection looks so perfect that it feels a bit unreal.
It turned out to be a really nice, full day out in Yufuin, especially since we got to spend it with our friends.
Having them around made everything more fun, from walking through the town, trying different snacks, to just randomly stopping for photos and chatting along the way.
We didn’t really rush or follow a strict plan. Instead, we just took things slow, explored at our own pace, and enjoyed whatever caught our attention.
We didn’t really rush or follow a strict plan. Instead, we just took things slow, explored at our own pace, and enjoyed whatever caught our attention.
Sometimes it was a small dessert shop, sometimes just a quiet corner with a nice view, those little moments honestly made the day feel more special.
Traveling with friends you haven’t seen in a while also adds a different kind of joy. There was a lot of laughing, catching up, and sharing experiences together, which made the whole day feel warm and memorable.
By the end of the day, we were tired but in a really good way.
Traveling with friends you haven’t seen in a while also adds a different kind of joy. There was a lot of laughing, catching up, and sharing experiences together, which made the whole day feel warm and memorable.
By the end of the day, we were tired but in a really good way.
It wasn’t just about the places we visited, but more about the time spent together in such a beautiful and peaceful town.
Definitely one of those days that I’ll look back on and smile.
Definitely one of those days that I’ll look back on and smile.
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The second day in Yufuin was a really slow and relaxing one.
The weather wasn’t on our side, it was very windy and raining most of the time, so we didn’t have much of a plan for the day.
The weather wasn’t on our side, it was very windy and raining most of the time, so we didn’t have much of a plan for the day.
Instead, we decided to just take it easy and stay around the hotel, enjoying the cozy atmosphere at Yufuin Sansuikan.
It actually turned out to be quite nice to just slow down, rest, and fully enjoy the facilities, especially the onsen.
In between the rain, we also took some short walks to nearby spots around the hotel, looking for food and enjoying whatever views we could catch.
Even though it wasn’t a “packed itinerary” kind of day, it felt very peaceful and comforting, a different kind of travel experience that we actually really appreciated.
It actually turned out to be quite nice to just slow down, rest, and fully enjoy the facilities, especially the onsen.
In between the rain, we also took some short walks to nearby spots around the hotel, looking for food and enjoying whatever views we could catch.
Even though it wasn’t a “packed itinerary” kind of day, it felt very peaceful and comforting, a different kind of travel experience that we actually really appreciated.
And just like that, our time in Yufuin came to an end.
It wasn’t a trip filled with rushing from place to place, but rather one where we truly got to slow down, relax, and enjoy the moment, from peaceful morning walks, cozy stays at Yufuin Sansuikan, to simple moments spent exploring the town with friends.
Yufuin gave us exactly what we were hoping for, a quiet escape surrounded by nature, away from the busy city life.
Yufuin gave us exactly what we were hoping for, a quiet escape surrounded by nature, away from the busy city life.
Even the rainy day turned into something special in its own way, reminding us that sometimes the best part of traveling is just taking things slow and embracing the unexpected.
With hearts and stomachs full ;) it was time for us to continue our Kyushu road trip to the next destination.
More beautiful places are waiting ahead, so stay tuned for Part 3.
More beautiful places are waiting ahead, so stay tuned for Part 3.
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