[Yufuin] Art Walk Guide: From the Station to the Forest Museum

The Must-Go Route: Yufuin Station Art Stroll

When you arrive at JR Yufuin Station, first head to the waiting room. This space, designed by world-renowned architect Arata Isozaki, is both a station and an art hall. Feel the warmth of the wood and enjoy the monthly changing exhibitions for free. It's a relaxing art experience perfect for starting your trip.

Yufuin Station Art Hall

8-2 Kawakita, Yufuin-cho, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture, 879-5114

This is an art space attached to the waiting room at Yufuin Station. Every year, exhibitions are held throughout the year, selected from exhibition plans submitted from all over the country. Come and soothe your soul, and feel moved and inspired by the works.

Enjoy empty-handed, the first step in exploring Yufuin

Head to the Yufu City Tourist Information Center, located right next to Yufuin Station. This building, designed by architect Shigeru Ban, has a tourist information center on the first floor and a travel library on the second floor, and the space itself is a work of art, making you feel as if you are in the middle of a forest. Before you start your stroll, we recommend leaving your large luggage at Yufuin Chikki and consulting with them about sightseeing routes while looking at a walking map.

Yufu City Tourist Information Center

8-5, Yufu City, Yufuin Town, Kawakita, Oita Prefecture, 879-5114

Next to JR Yufuin Station is the Yufu City Tourist Information Center, a tourist information center with a view of Mount Yufu . The space, surrounded by arched wooden pillars and flooded with natural light through a large atrium, was designed by architect Shigeru Ban. As a tourist information center that anyone can easily drop by, it provides tourist information not only about Yufu City but also about Oita Prefecture Prefecture and beyond. The spacious first floor has a tourist information counter and "Yufuin Chikki," which offers luggage storage and delivery to hotels. Through the large glass windows, you can also see the Yufuin no Mori Express and the Seven Stars Cruise Train passing through Yufuin Station. On the second floor, which can be reached by climbing a gentle slope, there is the "Travel Library," which displays around 1,500 travel-related books, and the "Observation Deck," where you can enjoy a close-up view of Mount Yufu while feeling the breeze outside. Services offered: ・Horse Carriage (March - December) ・Bike Rentals ・Green Slow Mobility (nolc) ・Tourism and accommodation information ・Tourist taxi ・Rental: Strollers (Babycars), wheelchairs ・Coin lockers ・Baggage Storage & Delivery (Yufuin Chikki)

Yufuin Chikki [Baggage Storage & Delivery]

Yufu City Tourist Information Center 1F, 8-5 Kawakita, Yufuin-cho , Ka...

Yufuin Chikki, located on the first floor of the Yufu City Tourist Information Center, offers a luggage delivery service. After arriving at Yufuin Station, you can have your luggage sent directly to your accommodation in the Yufuin area, or you can have it sent from your accommodation to us on the day you check out. We also offer a temporary luggage storage service and coin lockers. When you arrive in Yufuin, please feel free to drop by to enjoy sightseeing without having to carry anything. ◎ Baggage delivery and collection times to the inn Delivery (Chikki ⇒ inn) 9:00-15:00 Collection (Hotel ⇒ Chikki) 9:00-12:00 Basic fee LL: ¥1,200 (height over 80cm) L: ¥1,000 (height 60cm or more and less than 80cm) M: ¥800 (height less than 60cm) S: ¥600 (small bag, etc.) SS: ¥300 (small paper bag, plastic bag, etc.) *For luggage weighing over 20 kg, an excess weight fee will be charged in addition to the basic fee above. 20kg or more but less than 25kg: +¥200 Over 25kg: +¥500 [Important] Luggage delivery and collection is limited to accommodations that are members of the Yufuin Onsen Tourism Association. Please check in advance which facilities are eligible. ◎ Temporary baggage storage 9:00-17:00 Fee L: ¥800 (height 60cm or more) M: ¥600 (height less than 60cm) S: ¥500 (small bag, etc.) ◎Coin lockers 9:00-17:00 Price: Large ¥600 / Small ¥500

Guided by Mt. Yufu: An Art Stroll to Lake Kinrin

With Yufuin Station behind you, head straight towards the majestic Mount Yufu. After a leisurely 10-minute walk, you'll arrive at Yunotsubo Kaido Street. A short distance from Yunotsubo Kaido Street is the COMICO ART MUSEUM YUFUIN, designed by architect Kengo Kuma. After viewing works by some of Japan's leading contemporary artists, stroll along the quiet path alongside the Oita River to Lake Kinrin.

COMICO ART MUSEUM YUFUIN

2995-1 Kawakami, Yufuin-cho, Yufu-shi, Oita 879-5102

Designed by the world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma, this museum is a stunning fusion of modern art and architecture that harmonizes with the natural beauty of Yufuin. The building, featuring charred cedar walls and a minimalist aesthetic, showcases works by Japan’s leading contemporary artists. It offers a peaceful space where you can enjoy art while gazing at the majestic Mt. Yufu.

Lake Kinrin (Kinrin-ko)

1561-1 Kawakami, Yufuin-cho, Yufu-shi, Oita 879-5102

Located at the foot of Mt. Yufu, Lake Kinrin is one of Yufuin’s most iconic landmarks. Fresh water and hot springs flow into the lake, keeping the water temperature high throughout the year. This creates a beautiful phenomenon of steam rising from the surface on chilly mornings from late autumn to winter. Its name was given by a Confucian scholar who spotted the golden scales of a fish shimmering in the water at sunset. A scenic 400-meter walking path circles the lake, allowing visitors to enjoy views of fish and waterfowl up close. It is about a 20-minute walk from Yufuin Station.

From the Bustling Street to a Quiet Forest Gallery

If you can take a car or taxi, head to Artegio, nestled in the middle of a lush forest. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city center, this contemporary art museum with a music theme sits quietly on a lush hill. Produced by the ryokan (Japanese inn) Sanso Murata, the sophisticated space allows you to soothe your senses with the quiet music and art. Read a book in the museum's reading room, or browse the beautiful array of chocolates in the attached chocolate shop. This hidden art spot will help you forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

artegio

1272-175 Kawakami, Yufuin-cho, Yufu-shi, Oita 879-5102

Artegio is a complex created by Sanso Murata that includes an art museum, cafe, chocolate ship, and select shop. You can enjoy contemporary art with a focus on music. The works of artists who have freely intersected the eyes and ears are exhibited alongside beautiful music. The museum also has comfortable sofa seating and a reading room stocked with related books.

Want to see even more art?

Yufuin is home to many small art museums that blend quietly into nature, as well as unique galleries attached to cafes. For a walking course where you can encounter even more artworks, be sure to check out the Feature Articles article in the official travel guide [YUFUINFO] below. It introduces even more in-depth art spots.

Official Travel Guide [YUFUINFO] Enjoy an artistic moment in Yufuin

Official Travel Guide [YUFUINFO] Enjoy an artistic moment in Yufuin

Dordogne Museum : Located at the bottom of a quiet slope, this is a place where you can encounter artists with Oita to Oita.

ARU FUUKEI : A cafe gallery renovated from the owner's memorable home, where you can find comfort in the miscellaneous goods that add color to your everyday life.

CAFE LA RUCHE : A lakeside bakery cafe where you can enjoy the spectacular view of Lake Kinrin and art at the same time.

Chung Dong Joo Gallery : Works in harmony with the majestic nature in a gallery bathed in soft light.

The more you walk around the town of Yufuin, the more new art you will discover. Why not grab a map and find your own favorite "art detour"? The once-in-a-lifetime encounter you might have at a gallery you happen upon might become one of your best memories of your trip.