Romantic Hotels in Oita Prefecture, Japan

"This hotel has seven private hot springs, and I made sure to try each one. When I went, there were initially two empty ones, and after I used those, I moved on to the others until I had experienced all seven. There's also an eighth large hot spring, which felt like I had it all to myself – completely empty! So I enjoyed another soak there. They offer several types of shampoo, but the original one they provide is actually the best. The hotel also has seven hot spring pools, all modeled after natural springs. Plus, there are plenty of dining options nearby. They even post the sunrise times, and you can go up to watch it, though I missed it this morning. And they have Yakult! Anyway, everything was really great."

"Baien is truly the best. The private open-air bath and the large public bath are both excellent. (Note: Be sure to confirm the private open-air bath when booking your ryokan stay.) The ryokan is spacious, so walks around the property are lovely. Both breakfast and dinner (kaiseki) are also superb. However, there's no entertainment nearby, so if your sole purpose is to enjoy the hot springs, you definitely won't regret it. I'd love to visit again in winter."

"Nestled on a hillside behind Yufuin's main Yunotsubo street, this hotel is a convenient ten-minute walk from the main thoroughfare. We booked the half-board option, and both the Japanese-style breakfast and dinner were delicious. The onsen (hot spring) facilities were also excellent, and having two private baths available for reservation was a huge plus. Overall, it offers great value for money."

"The hotel is a 20-minute walk down a secluded road from Yufuin Station. While the location isn't ideal, it's not a huge issue as there's a taxi stand right in front of the station. Getting to the town's main street takes about 15 minutes on foot. If your main purpose for visiting is the hot springs and scenic views, then the walk isn't a problem. When checking in, you'll need to use the name on your reservation. The accommodations consist of individual cottages, and since I was traveling alone, I was able to notice the noise. There's a train track nearby, so you'll hear occasional train noise. If you're sensitive to noise, I recommend bringing earplugs. Inside the room, there's a private entrance to the open-air bath. I suggest taking a shower first before enjoying the open-air bath. If you pay a small bathing fee, you can use the open-air bath at any time, which I thought was a great perk. I advise against going outside the property at night, as the path leading to the hotel is very dark and winding, making it quite dangerous. I spent two pleasant nights at this hotel."

"I booked the most expensive room. Upon arriving in Yufuin, I called to request a shuttle bus. The bus arrived quickly, in just 5 minutes. The staff member who picked me up was very friendly and chatted with me, introducing the area around Yufuin. After arriving at the hotel, the staff also kindly helped with my luggage and provided information such as meal times, using a little English to help me understand. After a quick check-in, they took us to our room and explained all the facilities and how to use them in great detail. The hotel also thoughtfully provided various toiletries, and there were even different styles for men and women! The room was very luxurious and fully equipped, and the private onsen (hot spring) was very comfortable. The dining service was also excellent, and the food was delicious, especially the beef. We initially chose hot pot, but later wanted to switch to sukiyaki, which they quickly arranged. Overall, the quality was very much in line with the price. There were only two drawbacks: First, the room didn't provide a microwave or kitchenware. The heating service only lasted until 9 pm, which was relatively early, so we couldn't enjoy a late-night snack. However, this might be due to the locals' schedule. Second, the only kitchen utensil provided in the room—the kettle—was extremely dirty, as if it hadn't been washed in ten years. This prevented me from cooking instant noodles, and the hotel is also quite far from the city center. These are minor drawbacks, which bothered me a bit as I enjoy Japanese convenience store snacks, but they are insignificant compared to the overall quality of the hotel. I would definitely stay at this hotel again next year."

"For a one-night stay with two meals in Yufuin, this hotel offers a very reasonable price. However, the hot spring itself is quite average; it feels more like heated tap water, and the bath is rather small. The highlight, though, is the private family bath. Since there aren't many guests, you can take your time and relax. Because our room was on the first floor, we had a private outdoor bath. The public and family baths are available to guests staying in rooms on the second floor, which means the family bath isn't too crowded and you don't have to wait. That said, the surrounding greenery isn't particularly appealing, and the overall ambiance is quite ordinary. On the positive side, every staff member was friendly and very helpful, and they also provided shuttle service to and from the train station. The hotel is a bit of a distance from the main hot spring street, so you'll definitely need the shuttle service or a taxi to get around."

"The hotel is about a six to seven-minute drive from Yufuin's attractions, and there aren't many convenience stores nearby. It offers free parking, and the staff are very attentive and speak good English. There's no public bath and not many other facilities or entertainment options, making it ideal for couples looking for a quiet stay. Each room is a standalone cottage with its own indoor and outdoor hot spring baths, and the rooms are incredibly spacious. Breakfast and dinner are very generous."

"The hotel's location is a bit out of the way. The ocean view from the room was okay, I guess. You're required to take off your shoes when entering the hotel, but they don't even provide disposable slippers, so the service is pretty mediocre. The front desk staff also had a very unenthusiastic attitude during check-in. The hotel tries to project an image of being very clean and upscale, but honestly, the cleanliness of the guest rooms was just average; the toilet wasn't even wiped clean and had stains."