Yufuin Bath Satoyamasafu
8,5/10 Excellent - Based on 766 reviews
Yufuin Bath Satoyamasafu sits on the slopes of Mount Yufu in Yufuin and presents a compact, western-style ryokan atmosphere where every guest room faces the mountain. With only ten rooms the property emphasises spacious accommodation and a quietly attentive service; room types range from standard twin layouts to a 63 m² modern suite with an attached outdoor bath. The ryokan is a short walk or about a five-minute drive from JR Yufuin Station, making it easy to pair local sightseeing with evenings spent watching the landscape change through the seasons.
The spa facilities are built around Yufuin’s natural hot springs and include a large indoor grand bath, a family open-air bath with mountain views, and private baths attached to selected guest rooms. As a ryokan with onsen in Yufuin the property offers both communal bathing areas and options for room-level privacy, and several room categories provide their own outdoor tubs for unobstructed views of Mount Yufu. For travellers seeking seclusion, the ryokan can function as a ryokan with private onsen Ōita when a room with an attached bath is booked.
Dining follows the property’s description of creative Japanese and Western course meals that highlight ingredients from Ōita, with on-site dinner service (advance reservation required) and a morning breakfast offering. Practical amenities include free Wi‑Fi, non-smoking rooms, and on-site parking with roughly 17 spaces; check-in is typically at 15:00 with check-out at 10:00. Staff can advise on nearby attractions such as Kinrinko Lake and local walking routes, and the accommodation cultivates a calm, tea-scented atmosphere designed for relaxed stays.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Yufuin Bath Satoyamasafu
Positive Reviews
Private and varied onsen options
Many guests praised the hot-spring facilities — private onsen, in-room baths and public family baths — which were described as a highlight and very relaxing.
Good food (especially dinner)
Several reviews mentioned tasty meals; dinner and breakfast were frequently described as delicious or very good, with some guests calling dinner excellent.
Friendly, attentive staff
Staff were repeatedly noted as polite, helpful and patient, providing good service and assistance during stays.
Clean, comfortable and spacious rooms with great views
Guests reported clean, comfortable rooms (some quite large) with lovely views of Mount Yufu and a pleasant natural/rural setting.
Transport help and family-friendly features
Many guests appreciated transport assistance (free shuttle/pick-up from the train station was offered) and family-friendly amenities (temperature-adjustable in‑room onsen suitable for children).
Negative Reviews
Difficult to find / pick-up coordination issues
Multiple guests said the property is hard to locate due to limited signage; some had to call locally to arrange station pick-up and said pre-arranged timings were not always possible or convenient.
Unreliable Wi‑Fi
Several reviews reported intermittent or poor internet connections that need improvement.
Dining issues: pace, portions and inconsistent quality
Although many praised the food, a number of guests felt the dinner service was rushed (served too fast), portions or menu variety could be improved, and overall dining experience was inconsistent for some visitors.
Accessibility and booking/charging problems
Problems were reported with unsheltered stairs in bad weather and difficulties booking or being charged for ground-floor rooms (some guests had to pay for extra person/meals they did not use), creating issues for guests with limited mobility or elderly family members.
Some odors and signs of wear
A few guests noticed unpleasant smells (e.g., kerosene heating scent or overpowering matcha scent) and described parts of the property as feeling a bit tired or worn and in need of upkeep.
Frequently Asked Questions
Room types vary: the Modern Suite fits 2–6 guests, and Standard rooms typically fit 2–4; the ryokan has 10 rooms in total.
Yes — there is a grand public bath, open-air/family baths and natural hot spring water; several rooms also feature private outdoor onsen.
Bathing is available 24 hours; guests should wash before entering, follow posted procedures and note that visible tattoos may prohibit access to public baths.
Some rooms include private outdoor baths and the property also offers private baths for guest use; request or confirm private-bath availability when booking.
There is no advertised regular airport shuttle; the ryokan is about 5 minutes by car (15 minutes on foot) from JR Yufuin Station and Oita Airport is roughly a 55-minute drive — contact the property for bespoke transfers.
Staff speak English and Japanese, and the official site is available in English (also Korean, Chinese and Japanese).
The ryokan serves Japanese and Western course meals (kaiseki-style dinners and Japanese breakfasts); dinner must be reserved in advance and the property notes it cannot accommodate vegetarian or vegan diets on short notice.
Mount Yufu overlooks the property; Yunotsubo Kaido shopping street, Kinrinko Lake and the Yufuin Motorcycle Museum are all short drives from the ryokan.
The ryokan is about a 15-minute walk or 5-minute drive from JR Yufuin Station, and on-site free parking (about 17 spaces) is available without prior reservation.
Pets are not allowed; private-use baths and family baths are available for groups or in certain rooms — ask the ryokan when you book to arrange private use.