Yufuin Souan Kosumosu
9,5/10 Exceptional - Based on 144 reviews
Yufuin Souan Kosumosu is an intimate, design-conscious ryokan set within the calm basin of Yufuin, offering a quiet base for exploring the town’s galleries and lakeside walks. The property preserves a traditional Japanese aesthetic across a compact footprint of roughly a dozen rooms, combining tatami-floored guest rooms and a small cluster of detached units that sit against a wooded garden. Public spaces are restrained and deliberately uncluttered, encouraging a slow pace of stay and close attention to service and seasonal detail.
Accommodation ranges from classic Japanese-style rooms to multi-level suites and detached maisonettes, several of which include their own outdoor baths so guests can enjoy private soaking in natural hot spring water; the onsen is fed by local springs with a mild alkaline character. Communal bathing options are also provided, and many units are equipped with modern comforts—air conditioning, flat-screen TV, safes and en-suite facilities—while retaining handcrafted furnishings and simple, tasteful lighting that reinforces the ryokan’s calm atmosphere. This property functions as a ryokan with private onsen Ōita for travelers seeking a more secluded thermal experience.
Meals emphasize seasonal, carefully plated Japanese cuisine served in the dining areas or as in-room kaiseki-style courses, and the staff focus on attentive, unobtrusive hospitality. Practical amenities include a small lounge and bar, onsite parking and an arranged shuttle option to the nearest station; typical arrival is from mid-afternoon with checkout by late morning. Located within a short stroll of Yufuin’s museums and lakeside promenade, the house is well suited to guests prioritizing quiet comfort and easy access to local culture, presenting a considered example of a ryokan with onsen Yufuin, Ōita.
Highlights of this ryokan
Detailed Ratings
Points of interest nearby
Review summary for: Yufuin Souan Kosumosu
Positive Reviews
Outstanding food and presentation
Many guests praised the meals as delicious and high-quality, often comparing them to fine-dining presentations; breakfast and kaiseki-style dinners were repeatedly highlighted as a major strength.
Warm, attentive staff and great service
Reviews consistently note friendly, helpful and welcoming staff who go out of their way to assist (booking restaurants, providing umbrellas/flashlights, explaining private-room use), creating a very hospitable experience.
Excellent onsen and private baths
The hot spring facilities—especially private/outdoor baths—were described as relaxing and exceptional in quality, adding a luxurious, memorable element to stays.
Clean, well-maintained traditional atmosphere
Guests appreciated the tidy, authentic Japanese décor and well-maintained public areas and rooms; attention to small details and room presentation was frequently mentioned.
Comfortable, spacious rooms with useful amenities
Rooms were often described as spacious and thoughtfully laid out (some with two bathrooms or duplex layouts); complimentary stocked mini-fridges, easy parking and shuttle availability were noted as convenient extras.
Negative Reviews
Outdated in-room equipment
Several guests mentioned old or small TVs, lack of international channels and absence of modern casting options (Chromecast/AirPlay), and generally dated room switches and fixtures.
Morning cleaning noise / timing
Some guests experienced noise from staff cleaning early in the morning (around 9am) while still in their rooms, which disturbed the quiet morning time in the largely wooden building with limited soundproofing.
Unclear meal arrangements and language/menu issues
A few guests reported confusion about whether dinner was served in-room or in the restaurant, and others had difficulty ordering room service or yukata instructions due to menus and materials being in Japanese and limited staff language ability (few Korean speakers).
Occasional food variety or portion concerns
Although food was widely praised, some guests noted less diversity in ingredients, a few ordinary-tasting dishes, smaller meat portions at dinner or a firm breakfast fish—raising isolated concerns about consistency versus expectations.
Accessibility/layout drawbacks and value concerns
A few reviews mentioned inconveniences from duplex layouts or small toilets in certain rooms (stairs required), and some guests questioned whether the price always matched the location/views or quantity of food.
Frequently Asked Questions
Rooms range from intimate two-person layouts to traditional Japanese rooms with futons that can sleep up to 4–5 guests; verify capacity by room type when booking.
The property offers hot-spring facilities including a public onsen and an outdoor rotenburo; some room types include a private open-air bath for exclusive use.
The ryokan does not list a regular shuttle; it is about a 15‑minute walk (≈1.3 km) or a short taxi ride from Yufuin Station, and taxis or public transfers are commonly used from airports.
Oita Airport is the nearest (approximately 52 km); most guests travel by airport bus or train toward Yufuin Station and then walk or take a short taxi to the ryokan.
Staff primarily speak Japanese and can assist in English for basic communication with international guests.
The ryokan serves traditional Japanese meals—often kaiseki-style dinners and Japanese breakfast—with specifics depending on your chosen plan.
Lake Kinrinko, the Yufuin Chagall Museum, Yufuin Retro Motor Museum and the Yufuin Showakan are all within a short walk of the property.
Take the Kyūdai Line to Yufuin Station, then walk about 15 minutes or take a short taxi; local buses and taxis also serve the town.
Standard check-in is from 15:00 to 18:00 and check-out by 11:00; short-term luggage storage or earlier drop-off is usually possible if arranged in advance.
Pets are not permitted on the property; Yufuin town has convenience stores, small supermarkets and many restaurants within easy walking distance.