Choosing a Baby-Friendly Stay: The Struggle Was Real
One of the biggest challenges when traveling as a family—especially with a baby—is choosing the right place to stay. Location, amenities, and convenience become much more important. For this trip, booking accommodations wasn’t easy. My husband’s work schedule kept changing, which delayed our flight and hotel reservations, leaving us with limited options.
In the end, we were fortunate to find a wonderful place to stay in Yufuin, which made this part of our journey especially memorable.
Yufuin vs. Beppu – Which Hot Spring Town?
We compared two famous hot spring towns near Fukuoka—Yufuin and Beppu—before booking. Here’s what we found:
Yufuin
A small mountain village with traditional Japanese charm
Great for a one-day relaxing stroll and stay
Baby stroller-friendly
Cons: Very popular, so accommodations book up fast
Travel time: About 2.5 hours by bus from Hakata Station
Beppu
A coastal city with a more urban vibe
Attractions like monkey parks and aquariums besides hot springs
Cons: Some attractions are closed in winter; not stroller-friendly
Travel time: Around 3 hours by bus from Hakata Station
Ultimately, we were drawn to Yufuin’s charm and kept searching until we finally found a traditional tatami-style room for around 200,000 KRW (~150 USD) using several Japanese booking sites. It felt like a bit of a gamble—but we were hopeful.
Heading to Yufuin: An Early Start
Even a month in advance, bus seats from Hakata to Yufuin were nearly sold out—so we had to wake up early and move quickly. The bus ride was smooth and scenic, surrounded by misty mountains and countryside views. Unfortunately, the weather was colder and cloudier than we had expected—it felt nothing like warm, cozy hot springs weather.
(Our baby sat on our lap the whole ride—almost snowing outside! )
A Warm Welcome at a Traditional Inn
Our inn was conveniently located just a short walk from the bus stop. While the building’s exterior looked a little dated, the inside was clean and spacious. Our tatami room came with both an outdoor bath (rotenburo) and a public bath, which was a huge plus.
We managed check-in using some basic Japanese phrases, as neither English nor Korean were spoken. Preparing a few key expressions in advance really helped. The place usually operates as a members-only inn, but perhaps due to COVID, they were accepting outside guests temporarily.
Yufuin Club on Google Maps
2952-1 Yufuincho Kawakami, Yufu, Oita 879-5102, Japan
★★★★☆ Traditional Hotel
A Solo Moment in the Hot Spring
The outdoor bath was absolute bliss—crisp winter air and steaming hot spring water blending perfectly. With a view of the mountains and peaceful silence all around, it felt like my fatigue was melting away.
Since no one else was there, I had the bath all to myself, soaking up the serenity.
Culinary Delights in Yufuin: From Lunch to Dinner
Lunch – A Hidden Gem
For lunch, we visited a traditional house-turned-restaurant tucked at the edge of Yufuin. Known for its grilled eel rice bowls and steak donburi, the restaurant had glowing reviews, so we made a reservation in advance.
The food was beautifully prepared, the view from the window was stunning, and the experience was worth every yen—even with the high price tag (over 100,000 KRW / ~75 USD). A quiet, scenic meal like this made the trip even more special.
Yunotake-an on Google Maps
2633-1 Yufuincho Kawakami, Yufu, Oita 879-5102, Japan
★★★★☆ Japanese Restaurant
Dinner – Beef & Kimchi, an Unexpected Combo
For dinner, we stopped by a local BBQ restaurant and ordered a beef set meal for around 70,000 KRW (~50 USD). The meat quality was top-notch, and to our surprise, the kimchi they served was incredibly good.
It was a fun experience to enjoy a bit of Korean flavor while in rural Japan.
Yakiniku Manyoken on Google Maps
3048-10 Kawakami, Yufuincho, Yufu, Oita 879-5102, Japan
★★★★★ Yakiniku Restaurant
Ending the Day in Peaceful Yufuin
Yufuin at night was incredibly quiet. As tourists left and even the streetlights seemed to dim, walking back to our inn felt like stepping into a still moment frozen in time.
We wrapped up the day with a can of beer and some snacks from a local shop, reflecting on our memorable day in Yufuin.
Travel Tips for Visiting Yufuin
Book early: Especially around weekends or holidays, accommodations get booked quickly.
Use Google Maps: Navigating on foot is easy and accurate with Google.
Bring your own bathing items: Personal toiletries and towels are handy for using the outdoor baths.
Reserve popular restaurants in advance: Many hidden gems require reservations.
Our day in Yufuin became a precious memory for our family. The relaxing hot springs, delicious food, and peaceful village vibe reminded us that even with a baby, traveling can still be deeply enjoyable and enriching.