Yufuin Besso Shikisai Hotel
8/10 Excellent - Based on 437 reviews
Set on a gentle hillside above the town of Yufuin, Yufuin Besso Shikisai Hotel presents a measured blend of hotel comfort and ryokan sensibility, with easy access to the valley’s main sights and short transfer time from JR Yufuin station. Guests arrive to a low-rise building arranged around a small garden and terrace, where views toward Mount Yufu and the surrounding rice fields change with the seasons. The property markets itself as a ryokan with onsen in Yufuin, Ōita, offering a quieter alternative to town-centre ryokan while keeping the walking routes and lakeside attractions within a short drive.
Rooms are deliberately spacious and finished in calm earth tones, each equipped with modern conveniences such as a flat-screen TV, refrigerator, electric kettle and seating area, and many rooms open to garden or valley views. The bathing facilities are central to the experience: there are outdoor, spring-fed open-air baths for general use and indoor baths that can be reserved for private use, so the property functions as a ryokan with private onsen in Ōita when you book a dedicated time slot. Staff manage bookings for the small, bookable baths and maintain regular housekeeping and yukata service to support a comfortable thermal stay.
The dining programme focuses on seasonal Kaiseki-style menus and a morning set breakfast served in the dining area adjacent to the lobby; meal times are organised to allow a relaxed schedule for onsen visits. Practical amenities include on-site parking and a shuttle option for station transfers, and the hotel’s scale and service style suit couples, families and travellers who prioritise onsen access paired with spacious rooms and locally sourced cuisine. Overall, the property emphasizes calm, seasonal detail and easy access to Yufuin’s core attractions.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Yufuin Besso Shikisai Hotel
Positive Reviews
Excellent hot springs (onsen)
Many guests praised the onsen facilities — indoor and outdoor baths are described as very pleasant, well‑heated and relaxing. The property also offers reservable private baths which reviewers enjoyed for a more intimate experience.
High-quality meals
Several reviews highlighted the dinner and traditional Japanese breakfast as a strong point, calling the meals delicious, substantial and a key reason the stay was worthwhile.
Friendly and attentive staff
Multiple guests noted kind, helpful and efficient staff; service was frequently described as courteous and contributed positively to the stay.
Spacious, comfortable rooms and traditional touches
Guests appreciated roomy accommodations, comfortable beds or futons, good views from some rooms, and traditional elements such as yukata provided for guests.
Quiet, convenient location with parking
Reviewers reported a peaceful setting suitable for relaxation or hiking; many liked the location near local attractions (Yufuin, Kinrin Lake) and praised free on‑site parking and ease of access for self‑drive guests.
Negative Reviews
Aging rooms and bathroom areas
Several guests observed that parts of the hotel feel dated and would benefit from refurbishment, with specific mentions of bathrooms and some room finishes needing renovation or replacement.
Private onsen booking and maintenance issues
A few reviewers felt the private bath system (timed slots) was restrictive and suggested a free/occupancy sign approach; others mentioned the private onsen needing attention or cleaning.
Heating, noise and comfort problems
Some guests experienced cold rooms (especially near doors, bathrooms or in large rooms), noisy air conditioning or fridges that disturbed sleep, and an unheated bathroom that made showering uncomfortable in cold months.
Cleanliness and housekeeping mistakes
A small number of reviews reported cleanliness concerns such as dust, dirty door frames, and an accidental housekeeping error where personal items were moved or disposed of.
Breakfast timing and suitability for children
While many praised the breakfast quality, a few guests found the breakfast time too early, the purely Japanese menu unsuitable for young children, and one guest felt some items were not freshly prepared.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rooms accommodate couples and small families; family rooms are available but there are no extra beds or cots, so please enter the exact number and ages of guests when booking.
The property has outdoor source-flowing hot spring baths for guests and additional indoor hot-spring facilities; public outdoor baths are shared by guests.
Yes — the hotel offers reservable private indoor hot-spring baths; reserve in advance with the property to guarantee a time slot.
A shuttle service is listed by the hotel; you should contact the hotel ahead of arrival to request and confirm pick-up times and locations.
The hotel is about a 4–5 minute taxi drive (roughly 20–25 minutes on foot) from JR Yufuin Station, and Oita Airport is approximately 50–55 minutes by car (around 52 km).
Staff primarily speak Japanese; some staff can assist in basic English (and Korean at times), so notify the hotel in advance if you need language support.
Dinner is served as a Japanese set menu in the dining area (typically around 18:00–21:00) and breakfast is Japanese-style (usually 7:30–9:30); meals should be confirmed or requested at booking.
Standard check-in is between 15:00 and 18:00 and check-out between 07:00 and 11:00; the property asks guests to notify their expected arrival time and the entrance is closed between 23:00 and 07:00.
Pets are not permitted at the hotel; small supermarkets, convenience stores and souvenir shops are located around Yufuin Station and the main Yunotsubo shopping street within a short walk.
The hotel is close to Kinrin Lake, Yufuin’s Yunotsubo shopping street, Mt. Yufu viewpoints and small museums such as the Trick Art museum, all reachable within a short drive or a 5–25 minute walk.