Saigakukan
9,2/10 Exceptional - Based on 5 reviews
Saigakukan is a compact, carefully run ryokan in Yufuin, set to take advantage of Mt. Yufudake views and the quieter side of the town’s hot-spring basin. The property keeps a restrained footprint with sixteen guest rooms and a mix of Japanese and Western elements; several suites feature private open-air baths while standard rooms offer access to well-maintained communal baths. Facilities include multiple private family baths—arranged so guests can reserve a private soak—an on-site restaurant with terrace views, a small art-filled lobby, and a guest lounge offering self-serve drinks and coffee. A free shuttle links the ryokan to the nearby station, making transfers and day excursions straightforward.
Rooms are arranged to emphasize privacy and sightlines toward the mountain: premium suites combine tatami spaces with Western beds and boast in-room hot-spring tubs, while other room types provide large bathing options or shared bathing access. Practical comforts—complimentary Wi‑Fi, in-room VOD, refrigerators with complimentary drinks, and EV charging in the car park—are balanced with traditional service touches. Evening meals follow a kaiseki format that foregrounds local Oita ingredients, from regionally raised beef to seasonal seafood, presented in course style that aligns with the ryokan’s calm, unhurried rhythm.
The focus here is restorative bathing and regional cuisine: you can time a soak to watch mist roll across the Yufuin basin or step out for a short walk to nearby sights such as Lake Kinrin and the craft-lined lanes. For travellers seeking a ryokan with onsen in Yufuin and those prioritizing private bathing, Saigakukan operates as a ryokan with private onsen Ōita, combining waters drawn from local springs with discreet, guest-focused amenities suited to couples and small groups. Practical arrangements and onsite options make it easy to plan a short retreat centered on hot-spring relaxation and local food.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Saigakukan
Positive Reviews
Spectacular mountain views from dining and baths
Guests repeatedly mention impressive views of Mount Yufu (Yufudake) visible from the dining area and onsen, enhancing the dining and bathing experience.
Clean, well-maintained facilities
Reviewers describe the accommodation and facilities as clean and in good condition, contributing to a pleasant stay.
Comfortable rooms and attentive service
Rooms are noted as very comfortable; staff are described as friendly and attentive, with guests appreciating the hospitality and polite service.
Delicious, generous meals
Meals are consistently praised as tasty and carefully prepared, with especially good meat dishes; portion sizes were generous (some guests could not finish the servings).
Onsen amenities and relaxed atmosphere
The onsen area offers small extras like free drinks and ice cream in the rest area, opportunities for calligraphy, and a hearth (irori) area where guests can relax, creating a leisurely atmosphere.
Negative Reviews
Many stairs—limited accessibility
Several reviews note numerous stairs throughout the property, which may make movement difficult for guests with limited mobility or difficulty walking.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rooms include twin, triple and suite layouts; several suites accommodate up to five guests and standard rooms sleep two to four using a mix of beds and futons. Room type is allocated on arrival and no extra rollaway beds are available, so specify group size when booking.
Yes — the property has gender-separated public baths, open-air baths and five private/family hot-spring baths; some communal baths can be reserved for private use. Note that visible tattoos may restrict access to public bathing areas.
Yes — a free shuttle runs for arriving guests; please call the ryokan from the station taxi stand after you arrive to request pick-up. Shuttle pickup operates in the afternoon (approximately 14:30–17:30) and drop-off options are available at checkout.
The nearest main airport is Oita; typically you take the Oita Airport limousine bus to Yufuin Station (about 55 minutes) and then a short taxi or the ryokan shuttle to the property, making the total journey roughly 70 minutes. Longer rail connections are available from major cities like Hakata and Fukuoka.
The ryokan provides English-language information on its website and through major booking platforms; for arrival requests or special assistance, use the booking ‘special requests’ box or email as some on-site telephone lines may be Japanese-only. Advance notice is recommended for non-Japanese language needs.
Saigakukan serves Japanese kaiseki course meals using local ingredients at its dining rooms; dinner is usually served at about 17:30 or 18:00 and breakfast is offered in set morning times. Meals are served in the restaurant areas rather than in guest rooms.
The ryokan is a short drive from Yufuin Station (about five minutes) and located within walking distance of Yunotsubo-Kaido shopping street (around 20 minutes) and Lake Kinrin (about 20–25 minutes on foot or a very short drive). It’s a convenient base for local sightseeing in Yufuin and nearby Beppu or Mount Aso day trips.
Standard check-in begins at 15:00 and check-out is by 11:00; guests are asked to state their expected arrival time when booking. If you plan to arrive after about 17:30 or late at night, notify the ryokan in advance; there is a midnight curfew and doors are locked after 24:00.
Children are welcome but you must provide their ages at booking and the property does not offer extra rollaway or baby beds. Pets are not permitted on the premises.
The property offers several private family baths that guests can reserve for private use, but full buyouts or large party events are not offered and stag/hen-style parties are expressly prohibited. For specific requests about private use of facilities, contact the ryokan in advance.