yufuin: magical onsen village
some of the many baths in just one day in the town of yufuin.
yufuin in famous for its baths: from small, intimate pools built of of the local rock, to large, open-air lagoons steaming at all times of year. you can even see the steam vents of other baths across the valley from our hotel!
we will give everyone a bathing map and some suggestions to our favorite ones, but essentially the days are free to fill as you wish! some may wander from bath to bath and try to see them all. some may need to nap in between, or partake of some of the local delicacies, which are mostly sweet and made with the famous local honey.
there is a very interesting café near the hotel in the middle of a rice field. they call it a “vegetable patisserie” and serve the most delicious tortes and cakes all made from vegetables (think a beet cake similar to a carrot cake, or a flourless tart made from spinach!) needless to say, finding good food for your lunches and snacks is not a problem in yufuin!
our ryokan, the itsuki, is a brand new, modern version of a classic japanese inn. each “room” is a free-standing house, with bedroom, living room and the most incredibly luxurious baths right in the house----indoor and out.
the baths are so nice here you may not feel the need to venture out into the town! pictured at left are the indoor and outdoor baths in one of our houses last year. (we have been known to take turns hosting bathing parties in each others’ rooms!)
famous architecture is equalled by famous food----not only does the inn grow its own local, organic rice, but the chef matches the elegance of the site. dinner the first night will be included in the tour----be prepared to be wowed!
there are over a hundred different baths in yufuin---most located in hotels and inns that allow day visitors. the onsen map lists the times each bath is open to the public so you can plan your route accordingly. our hotel has a fine open-air but covered bath looking out towards mt. yufuin as well.
yufuin is a great town to wander, one of the main reasons we chose it for our tours. very much a small, artistic city like santa fe, you’ll find galleries, craft stores, and many many souvenir shops. allow yourself wandering time to take it all in, in between your bathing. we can help you make a plan to visit some of our favorite baths and give you plenty of recommendations about where to grab some lunch.
we have dinner reserved at our favorite grill-it-yourself restaurant in town. the chef/owner lived in LA for a few years before returning to his home town, and his sauces are out of this world!
aside from the gorgeous baths, yufuin is a small, artsy town in the middle of an amazing mountain range. you will still see farmers tending their fields, and it should be harvest season for the rice during the time we are there. the architecture is amazing, and their are many galleries and boutiques to visit during your non-bathing hours. i always think yufuin feels a little bit like santa fe with its artists and galleries, good food, and proximity to nature.
a lunch not to miss is the little stand called “yufuin burger”---not to be confused with the stand of the same name across the street! (don’t bother with the free-standing tough shed-looking burger joint that has patio seating: the one you want is in a row of buildings with barely any seats). it is truly one of the best burgers i have had anywhere....local beef, local homemade rice-flour bun, savory sauces...... i can taste it now!
visit the website to see more gorgeous photos of our inn: www.bettei-itsuki.jp
