Yufuin Santoukan
9,3/10 Exceptional - Based on 160 reviews
Set on the gentle slopes beneath Mount Yufu, Yufuin Santoukan is a compact, wood-built ryokan that favours traditional craft over large-scale facilities. The property maintains just twelve guest rooms, some arranged for mountain views, and sits within easy reach of the town centre, the lake and local craft streets; it is also a short drive from the JR Yufu station. Public bathing, a small lounge and a modest gift corner underline an emphasis on quietly paced hospitality and direct access to Yufuin’s galleries, cafés and walking routes.
Guest rooms are arranged in a calm, timber-forward style with tatami floors and futon bedding; several are finished in hinoki (cypress) and include low-table seating, a television and refrigerator. Six ground-floor rooms were fitted with private open-air baths in 2009 and every room is supplied with hot spring water so guests can bathe around the clock. For travellers seeking a focused bathing experience, this ryokan with private onsen in Yufuin, Ōita combines in-room soaking options with access to shared baths and simple, well-stocked dressing-room amenities.
Dining is delivered to the room as multi-course kaiseki using seasonal, locally sourced ingredients and regional specialties such as Bungo beef, while morning meals follow a traditional Japanese format. Practical services include luggage storage, an on-site shop stocking local products, optional in-room massages and complimentary parking for guests arriving by car. With attentive staff and a limited number of rooms, the inn presents a deliberately intimate ryokan with onsen in Yufuin, Ōita experience for visitors who prioritise privacy, local cuisine and easy access to the town’s principal sights.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Yufuin Santoukan
Positive Reviews
Exceptionally friendly, attentive staff
Many guests praised the staff as very kind, polite and highly helpful — often describing personalized service and professionalism that made stays comfortable and memorable.
Outstanding kaiseki meals and excellent food
Multiple reviews highlight beautifully prepared kaiseki dinners and tasty breakfasts, with generous portions and good value; the cuisine is frequently described as a standout feature.
Private in-room onsen baths
Several rooms include private hot-spring baths (indoor and/or open-air). Guests enjoyed the privacy, comfort and, in many cases, scenic views from their own baths.
Great location and convenient shuttle service
Property is within walking distance of Yufuin’s main street and Kinrin Lake. Reviewers appreciated the convenient pickup/drop-off shuttle from the JR station, which mitigates the distance for some guests.
Authentic, tranquil ryokan experience and clean facilities
Reviewers valued the traditional ryokan atmosphere — spacious rooms, calming ambiance and generally clean, well-maintained facilities — often calling the overall experience highly relaxing and worth the price.
Negative Reviews
Small public baths and occasional maintenance/temperature issues
Several guests noted that the communal bath areas or outdoor public baths can be small; a few reported the public onsen being cooler than expected or that some baths were under renovation (and that prior notice would have been appreciated).
Slow dinner service and missing items reported by some
A minority of guests experienced very long dinner sittings (reports of 2–3 hours) and at least one review mentioned missing food items during service that were not promptly remedied.
Accessibility and parking concerns
The property’s parking is gravel rather than paved, which can make handling rolling luggage or mobility aids difficult. A few guests also found the hotel a bit far from the station before learning about the shuttle.
Minor room layout and comfort issues
Some guests mentioned room-specific issues such as low door thresholds that can cause bumping, a fridge placed in the bedroom, occasional dust, and firm futons (though extra padding was sometimes offered).
Limited support for non-Japanese speakers
A few reviewers said there was little accommodation for foreign guests (for example, menus not translated) and that occasional language barriers made some aspects of the stay less convenient.
Frequently Asked Questions
Room capacity varies by room type; many rooms suit 1–2 adults and there are family room options. Children aged 7 and older are treated as adults and extra beds or cots are not available, so confirm occupancy when booking.
Yes — the property has communal hot spring baths and some room types include a private open-air hot spring bath. Guests with visible tattoos may be restricted from using public bathing areas.
The ryokan is a short drive from JR Yufuin Station (about five minutes by car), and many guests arrive by taxi or local shuttle services; the property can be contacted in advance to request assistance with transfers. Specific airport transfer options vary, so confirm arrangements before arrival.
Major nearby airports are Oita and Fukuoka; from either airport you can travel by train or airport bus to Yufuin, then take a short taxi or local transfer to the ryokan. Allow extra time for connections and check public transport schedules on your travel day.
English may be limited; staff handle common guest requests but detailed communication may be easier with a translation app or by contacting the property in advance. Important requests (dietary needs, arrival time) should be noted before arrival.
The ryokan serves traditional multi-course meals (kaiseki) using seasonal local ingredients, often featuring regional specialties such as Bungo beef, with dinner and traditional breakfast typically served in guest rooms. Special dietary needs should be communicated ahead of your stay.
Rooms use tatami flooring with futon bedding, low tables and cushions for a classic ryokan atmosphere, and the property emphasizes traditional service and cuisine. Some rooms offer scenic views toward Lake Kinrin and Mount Yufu.
Lake Kinrin and the Yufuin Folk Craft Village are only a few minutes’ walk away, and the Yufuin Museum is within about a 15-minute walk. The main shopping and dining street (Yunotsubo-dori) is also nearby.
Free private parking is available on site for guests who drive. Pets are not permitted at the property.
Standard check-in is from 15:00 to 18:00 and check-out is by 11:00; guests expected after 18:00 should inform the property in advance so arrival can be accommodated.