Yufu City, or Yufuin in Japanese, is a lovely hot spring town right in the middle of Oita Prefecture in Northern Kyushu, blessed with great mountains and healing waters. I took it as a base to climb Yufu-dake, a majestic mountain with two peaks; however, it also makes a perfect starting point for excursions to nearby Beppu. Yufu City has kept its charm and delivers a truly authentic experience. To see the cherry blossoms you should calculate early April; due to Yufuin's higher elevation, the blossoms open up much later than in the rest of Kyushu.
- 1 min read
Yufu City: Immersed in Nature
Mountains, highlands and hot springs in Northern Kyushu
![Nicole Bauer Nicole Bauer](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/u/314/240x240!/565e87d367ba810c868b684d.jpg)
By Nicole Bauer
Community writer
![Yufu-dake, the two-peak mountain, watches over the small town of Yufu (Yufuin in Japanese).](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/14546-86209/1000/oita-yufu-city-immersed-in-nature-kyushu-86209.jpg)
Yufu-dake, the two-peak mountain, watches over the small town of Yufu (Yufuin in Japanese).
![The river is lined with cherry trees and other beautiful flowers—a feast for the eyes when you manage to be there at the right time.](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/14546-86208/1000/oita-yufu-city-immersed-in-nature-kyushu-86208.jpg)
The river is lined with cherry trees and other beautiful flowers—a feast for the eyes when you manage to be there at the right time.
![Early April; the blossoms had just past their peak.](https://a3.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/14546-86211/1000/oita-yufu-city-immersed-in-nature-kyushu-86211.jpg)
Early April; the blossoms had just past their peak.
![Lucky enough with the weather, which gave me another color to play with.](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/14546-86206/1000/oita-yufu-city-immersed-in-nature-kyushu-86206.jpg)
Lucky enough with the weather, which gave me another color to play with.
![The peak of Yufu-dake, watching you wherever you go...](https://a1.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/14546-86207/1000/oita-yufu-city-immersed-in-nature-kyushu-86207.jpg)
The peak of Yufu-dake, watching you wherever you go...
![Nice reflections in the water and hardly anyone around. Enjoy!](https://a2.cdn.japantravel.com/photo/14546-86210/1000/oita-yufu-city-immersed-in-nature-kyushu-86210.jpg)
Nice reflections in the water and hardly anyone around. Enjoy!
Join the discussion
Kim Bergström
6 years ago
What a gorgeous spot! Headed past here next month - sad I'll miss the cherry blossoms but I'm sure it will be beautiful nonetheless!
I didn't try the shochu, sorry! But I will keep this in mind for next time :-))
Yui Yamaguchi
10 years ago
Beautiful combination of colors - mountain, cherry blossom & canola. Did you drink "Yufudake (shochu)"? My cousin's family is making in Yufuin!
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