Kyushu Family Trip Day 3: Today’s plan is a self-drive day trip to Beppu & Yufuin, starting from the Sea Hell, enjoying hell-steamed cuisine, then driving about 30 minutes to the dreamy little town of Yufuin (Yufuin) that many people long for.
There’s no big-city rush here, nor the crowded noise of popular shopping districts. Instead, there are small streets perfect for strolling, unique little shops, and a relaxed atmosphere that makes you naturally slow down.
Today’s itinerary: Beppu Umi Jigoku ➔ Jigoku Mushi Kobo Tetsurin ➔ Yunotsubo Street ➔ Yufuin Floral Village (Owl Forest) ➔ Kinrin Lake ➔ YouMe Town Beppu（ゆめタウン別府）.
Kyushu Yufuin One-Day Trip: Yunotsubo Street, Yufuin Floral Village, Owl Forest, Kinrin Lake Stroll!
Yufuin is located in Yufu City, Oita Prefecture, Japan. It is one of Kyushu’s most representative hot spring towns, nestled at the foot of Mt. Yufu. For families traveling with children, self-driving offers the most freedom.
Traveling from Fukuoka to Yufuin (Yufuin) is convenient whether by public transport or car:
🚗 Self-drive
From Fukuoka city (Hakata or Tenjin), take the Kyushu Expressway connecting to the Oita Expressway, exit at Yufuin IC. The drive takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.
🚅 JR Limited Express “Yufuin no Mori”
From JR Hakata Station, ride the distinctive retro green sightseeing train “Yufuin no Mori (ゆふいんの森)” directly to Yufuin Station. The journey takes about 2 hours 15 minutes. The train features wooden interiors and scenic observation cars, and you can enjoy limited-edition bento and desserts! As all seats are reserved, it is highly popular—advance booking via the JR official website is recommended.
🚌 Highway Bus “Yufuin-Go”
Board the highway bus at Hakata Bus Terminal or Tenjin Highway Bus Terminal and ride directly to Yufuin Station. The trip takes about 2 hours 15 minutes. Buses run frequently at affordable prices and also require seat reservations—book early online.
Yunotsubo Street is Yufuin’s most iconic shopping street, lined with dessert shops, souvenir stores, general stores, and specialty restaurants.
Unlike busy urban shopping districts, it feels more like strolling through a market in a rural town, creating a very comfortable atmosphere.
The street is smoothly paved, making it easy to stroll even with a stroller. Along the way you’ll see cute stone sculptures and “hand baths” where visitors can wash their hands and relax—kids can’t resist dipping their hands into the warm spring water.
Along Yunotsubo Street there are many fragrant snacks and desserts. We bought:
KICHIGO Nakatsu Fried Chicken
Oita Prefecture is Japan’s famous “fried chicken mecca,” so we couldn’t miss it! “Nakatsu Karaage Senmonten Kichigo” has won Japan’s top gold award in the fried chicken contest. The freshly fried chicken has a golden crispy skin; biting into it reveals juicy, tender meat with rich flavor from the marinade.
YUFUIN GOEMON Soy Sauce Dango
A classic Japanese traditional sweet! Soft, chewy grilled dango coated with a thick, glossy special soy sauce. The sweet-salty balance and the aroma of glutinous rice grow more fragrant with each chew; the texture is delightfully springy. Both visually and taste-wise, it’s incredibly soothing.
Walking along Yunotsubo Street, about midway you’ll reach Yufuin Floral Village, which feels like stepping into a magical world. Inspired by the Cotswolds village featured in Harry Potter, this fairy-tale town is modeled after the English countryside.
Miniature European-style yellow stone houses, walls covered in green climbing vines, colorful flowers, and classic cartoon scenes (like Heidi of the Alps) make it feel like you’ve stepped into a European picture book—perfect for photos!
The biggest attraction for kids in the Floral Village is the Owl Forest (Yufuin no Fukurou no Mori). Though the space is small, you can see many different species of owls up close.
Some are tiny and cute, others look majestic. The most delightful part is that most owls are very gentle and allow light petting—an unforgettable experience for animal lovers.
Yufuin no Fukurou no Mori
Address: 〒879-5102 Oita-ken, Yufu-shi, Yufuin-cho, Kawakami 1503-3 YUFUIN FLORAL VILLAGE
Tel: 0977-85-5132
Hours: 9:30AM – 5:30PM; 9:30AM – 5:00PM (Dec–Feb)
Owl Forest (Yufuin no Fukurou no Mori) Admission & Hours
Admission:
Adults (junior high school and above): 900 yen, Children (4 years old to elementary school): 600 yen, Free for ages 3 and under
Hours:
09:30 – 17:00 (last entry 16:30)
Unfortunately, we arrived a bit late. Around 5 PM, shops along the street began closing one after another. To fully enjoy shopping, it’s best to arrive earlier.
Yet because of this, once the crowds thinned, we experienced a different kind of Yufuin tranquility—less daytime bustle, more leisure and freedom.
After leaving Yunotsubo Street, we strolled along the path to Kinrin Lake. Kinrin Lake is one of Yufuin’s most iconic spots and a must-visit for many travelers.
The lake is not large, but surrounded by forest, the atmosphere along the lakeside path is wonderfully relaxing. After visiting Kinrin Lake, we drove to the final stop of the day: YouMe Town Beppu in Beppu to pick up dinner ingredients, snacks, and daily essentials, then returned to our private rental house in Yufuin.
If Beppu gave us a powerful impression of onsen culture, Yufuin offered the joy of slowing down. From the lively Yunotsubo Street, the fairy-tale atmosphere of the Floral Village, to the leisurely charm of Kinrin Lake—none of these places require rushing.
Sitting in a favorite shop for dessert, strolling by the lake, or simply watching people pass by on the street—all are enjoyable. When planning a free-and-easy Kyushu trip, we highly recommend dedicating a full day to Yufuin, or even staying overnight.
■ More Kyushu Travel & Food:
https://eeooa0314.tw/blog/categories/17004539131
⚠️ Notes:
Everyone’s travel, sightseeing, and dining experiences differ. This article is based on personal experience and is for reference only. Please assess suitability before visiting.
Check the latest information before departure to ensure a smooth and pleasant trip!