Yufuin Rakuyu
9,4/10 Exceptional - Based on 107 reviews
Yufuin Rakuyu sits on a wooded slope above the Yufuin basin, offering a compact boutique layout of detached guest houses designed around a meticulously planted garden. The property opened recently and comprises ten individually arranged rooms, each providing an outdoor hot-water tub supplied with natural hot spring water from the local source. That configuration positions the inn as a ryokan with private onsen in Ōita, where guests can step directly from tatami-lined interiors onto a small open-air bath for solitary soaking with garden views.
Room types favor a minimalist aesthetic: low furniture, wood and neutral textiles, a work desk and a small refrigerator, plus large windows framing the garden. Each unit has climate control, en-suite facilities and a tap to adjust the spring water before filling the tub. Meals are served in a single dining room called Raku and follow a seasonal kaiseki style that highlights Kyushu produce. Front‑desk service runs 24/7; the property also offers a guest lounge, parking and a shuttle to Yufuin town.
Designed for privacy and slow pacing, the inn suits couples and travellers seeking an onsen stay with direct outdoor bathing in each room. The hilltop setting brings fresh spring greenery and vivid autumn maples, and occasional morning mist over the Yufuin basin enhances views from the tubs. For visitors seeking thermal relaxation, this ryokan with private onsen in Kyushu provides a discreet base with shuttle service or a short drive to town galleries and Kinrinko Lake.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Yufuin Rakuyu
Positive Reviews
Private in-room/on-site onsen
Many guests praised the private outdoor hot spring (rotenburo) in each room — described as amazing, relaxing and a highlight of the stay, allowing guests to soak privately whenever they wished.
Excellent food (breakfast & kaiseki)
Multiple reviews highlighted very good meals: delicious breakfasts and high-quality kaiseki dinners. Several guests explicitly recommended the dining as a major plus.
Attentive, friendly staff and service
Staff were repeatedly called warm, helpful and accommodating (assistance with luggage, shuttle/pick-up, prompt response to issues), creating a welcoming atmosphere and memorable moments for guests.
Clean, modern and well-maintained traditional ryokan
Guests described the property as new or recently renovated, very clean, high standard and well cared for, combining modern comforts with traditional ryokan style and a beautiful garden/landscape.
Privacy, quiet setting and convenient parking/shuttle
Many liked that rooms are separate units (private and quiet), appreciated the peaceful location at the mountain base, and noted convenient car access plus a shuttle service to the town center.
Negative Reviews
Remote location / shuttle timing
Several guests noted the ryokan is set away from the town and station (about a 10‑minute drive); while a shuttle is provided, its schedule (e.g. 5pm return) and reliance on shuttle/taxi can be inconvenient for some.
Onsen issues — temperature or size
A few reviewers reported practical onsen issues: some rooms' baths were very hot requiring addition of cold water, and some found the private in‑room onsen small; one guest said the public onsen was closed during their stay.
Pillow comfort and certain amenities missing
Some guests found the pillows too soft and lacking firm neck support. Others mentioned missing items (for example, no bathrobes in one report), affecting comfort expectations.
Occasional odors or maintenance concerns
One review reported a sewage smell in the shower that distracted from the stay; another suggested minor in‑onsen floor discomfort that could be improved with softer matting.
Paced or limited communal experience
A few guests felt the kaiseki dinner service could be rushed (made one family feel hurried with a young child), and some groups missed larger common areas or additional facilities for socialising after dinner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Room capacity varies by type: most rooms suit 1–2 guests, while the Quadruple/Deluxe room options can accommodate up to 4–6 people; check the specific room description when booking.
Yes — every guestroom features a private open‑air hot spring bath (onsen) fed with natural hot spring water.
A shuttle service to/from Yufuin Station is available; guests are advised to contact the ryokan in advance to arrange pick‑up. For airport transfers, use public transport to Yufuin Station or book a taxi/shuttle.
Oita Airport is about 50 km away; most guests travel by airport bus or train to Yufuin Station and then use the ryokan shuttle or a short taxi ride.
Staff primarily speak Japanese; English is limited, though the team is generally accommodating and used to international guests.
The property offers a modern yet traditional ryokan experience with tatami elements and seasonal Japanese meals; breakfast and dinner are served on site, typically in a Japanese style.
Key nearby sights include Lake Kinrinko, Artegio, Yufuin Showakan (museum) and the Yufuin Retro Motor Museum, all within a short drive of the ryokan.
The ryokan is roughly a 6–7 minute drive from Yufuin Station; guests typically arrive by shuttle, taxi, or private car — free parking is available on site.
Standard check‑in begins at 15:00 (3:00 PM) and check‑out is by 11:00 (11:00 AM); confirm exact times with the property before arrival.
Pets are not accepted; each room has a private onsen for exclusive use, and the ryokan has an on‑site restaurant; small supermarkets and shops are available in Yufuin town a short drive away.