5 Best Sights in Yufuin, Kyushu

From Yufuin Station, take a five-minute taxi ride north to Kuuso-no-Mori, a hamlet in the forest that is home to a community of art galleries along the foot of Mt. Yufu. The Artejio Museum is a small modern art museum with a musical theme and minimalist vibe. The second floor has a library with books on art and music. Close by is the excellent Sansou Murata ryokan, the Yutaka Isozaki Gallery, and several cafés.

In winter, steam rises from the surface of this small thermal lake on the east end of town. Take a relaxing 10-minute stroll around the lake, before you sample the various cake and coffee sets at the local cafés.

The most important Hachiman shrine in Japan is about an hour from Yufuin and makes an easy day trip, Usa Jingu has lovely ponds dotted with lotus plants. Allot an hour to see the shrine and stroll the expansive grounds. There was a long tradition in Japan of building temples and shrines in the same precinct (abolished in the Meiji period), and this is said to be the first place to do so.

A short walk from the train station, this neighborhood is a long shopping street lined with traditional Japanese wooden buildings. You can wander in and out of artsy craft shops and souvenir stalls, or relax in one of the many coffee shops or tearooms. The southwestern end of the street is known as Yunotsubokiado, the north-eastern end of the street is called Takemoto Street.

Artist Yutaka Isozaki is happy to show visitors his varied artwork in various media, including pottery, paintings, and photography. You can buy small cards with inspirational messages and illustrations such as persimmons and wildflowers that make original souvenirs. Isozaki-san is now in his 70s but is always excited to meet new visitors.