Yufuin Yunotsubo Street and Kinrin Lake Stroll Course

Yufuin is a popular resort set against Mount Yufu. Enjoy tasting treats along the lively Yunotsubo Street, then take a breather at quiet Kinrin Lake. This relaxed walking course is popular with couples and travelers of all kinds.

Course Route

9:30 Start at Yufuin Station Begin at the wooden, welcoming Yufuin Station. Straight down the street ahead, the majestic Mount Yufu rises into view.

10:00 Snack along Yunotsubo Street Head to Yunotsubo Street, Yufuin's main road. Along the roughly 800-meter stretch from Shirataki Bridge toward Kinrin Lake, shops selling croquettes, pudding, soft-serve ice cream and other walking snacks line the way.

11:30 Browse boutiques and galleries Peek into cute craft shops, small museums and jam specialty stores as you enjoy some leisurely window shopping.

12:30 A Yufuin-style lunch Have lunch at a cafe or restaurant using local ingredients. Some places offer terrace seats with views of Mount Yufu.

14:00 Lakeside walk at Kinrin Lake At the far end of the street lies Kinrin Lake. Fed by both hot and cold springs, it is a mysterious pond, and the shoreline path loops around in about 15 minutes, a pleasant moment.

15:30 Rest at a cafe Relax at a cafe near the lake with cake and tea.

Highlights

The view toward Mount Yufu and Kinrin Lake wrapped in morning mist are symbols of this town. The street snacks and the shops full of individual crafts and art are also a big part of the fun.

Access and Tips

It is about a 20-minute walk from Yufuin Station to Kinrin Lake. Heading there while snacking along the roughly 800-meter Yunotsubo Street is recommended. The lakeside path loops in about 15 minutes for an easy walk. To see the dreamy morning mist over Kinrin Lake, aim for early mornings in late autumn to winter when temperatures drop.

Practical Travel Notes

• Time needed: from the station through the street to Kinrin Lake, one to two hours one way while enjoying snacks and shopping. With the return and a cafe break, the loop takes about half a day.
• Budget: walking snacks run about 300 to 600 yen each. With lunch and a cafe, around 3,000 to 5,000 yen per person is enough. Many shops take both cash and cashless payment.
• Best season and time: mist forms over Kinrin Lake mainly on early mornings in late autumn to winter, when the gap between water and air temperature is large. Midday is when Yunotsubo Street is busiest, so early morning is best for a quiet walk.
• Avoiding crowds: Yunotsubo Street gets quite crowded on weekends and holidays. Starting your stroll early lets you enjoy both the quiet street around opening time and the misty lake.
• Nearby real spots: Yufuin also has day-use hot-spring baths and spots that frame Mount Yufu from near the station. If you have time, finishing with an onsen is a fine way to end.

A Quick Tip

Yunotsubo Street gets quite crowded on weekends and holidays. If you want a leisurely walk, starting your stroll early in the morning makes for a pleasant visit. The morning mist over Kinrin Lake is most likely on early mornings in the colder seasons, so staying overnight to catch the dawn is the surest bet.

Practical Information for Your Visit

• Tourist information office (Yufu City Tourist Information Center): Located next to Yufuin Station and open 9:00-17:30, all year round. Luggage storage and the coin lockers are available until 17:00, with large lockers costing 600 yen and small ones 500 yen
• Bicycle rental: Available from the same center between 9:00 and 16:00. Numbers are limited and it is first-come, first-served
• Sightseeing horse-drawn carriage: The route runs from in front of Yufuin Station to Bussanji Temple, Unagihime Shrine and back to Yufuin Station in about 60 minutes. The fare is 2,500 yen for adults (junior high school age and above) and 1,800 yen for children (age 4 through elementary school), with a capacity of 10 passengers per departure
• Carriage tickets and suspensions: Tickets go on sale at the center's counter from 9:00 on the day (telephone bookings are taken after counter sales end). The service is suspended from January 1 to March 1, and it may also be halted depending on the horses' condition or in wet weather
• Enquiries: 0977-84-2446 (Yufu City Tourist Information Center)
• Official information: Yufuin Onsen Tourism Association official website "YUFUINFO" (the official travel guide to Yufuin, Shonai and Hasama)

* The above is a guide based on information published by each facility and local authority. Hours and fees may change, so please check the official information before you set out.