[Yufuin] Panoramic Views of "Bungo Fuji"! A Beginner's Guide to Hiking Mt. Yufu

• Table of Contents
• Hiking Mount Yufu: A 5-Hour Course to the East Peak
• 1. Getting to the Main Trailhead: No Transfers from Beppu or Yufuin
• 2. To the National Forest: Panoramic Views Before You Even Start
• 3. From the National Forest to the Switchbacks: Feel the Elevation with Forest and City Views
• 4. At the Matae Fork: Heading to the East Peak for a Full Panoramic View
• Optional Route: For Experienced Hikers—West Peak and the Crater Rim (Ohachi-Meguri)
• Safety for You, Heritage for Yufuin: Essential Rules for Every Hiker

Hiking Mount Yufu: A 5-Hour Course to the East Peak

No matter where you are in the town of Yufuin, you will be greeted by the majestic presence of Mount Yufu (1,583m). Its beauty is not something to be admired from afar, but rather something that creates a lifelong memory when you actually climb it.

This time, we'll introduce a hiking route to the East Peak that's easy to attempt even for those with little hiking experience, and promises breathtaking views.

Download the Mount Yufu Hiking Map [Provided by Yufu City, Oita ]

1. Getting to the Main Trailhead: No Transfers from Beppu or Yufuin

From the Yufuin Station Bus Center, take the bus bound for Beppu Station, and you'll arrive at the "Yufu Tozanguchi "(Main Trailhead) bus stop in 15 minutes. From the town of Yufuin to the Main Trailhead, there is a continuous uphill road where cars drive at high speeds. There are no sidewalks, and the risk of accidents is high. For your safety, please use a bus, taxi, or rental car .

From Beppu Station, take the bus bound for Yufuin, and you’ll arrive at the "Yufu Tozanguchi" (Main Trailhead) bus stop in about 40 minutes without changing buses. While it's possible to combine hiking with a trip to Yufuin, there are no lockers or luggage storage facilities at the Main Trailhead. Please be sure to leave any luggage you don't need for hiking at a facility near Yufuin Station before you travel.

Also, there are no vending machines near the Main Trailhead. Please purchase enough drinks and snacks in Yufuin town before heading out. Of course, littering, including plastic bottles and food scraps, is strictly prohibited. There are no trash cans, so please take all your trash with you.

2. To the National Forest: Panoramic Views Before You Even Start

Starting your hike from the Main Trailhead. It's a gentle uphill climb of about 15 minutes through open grasslands to the entrance of the National Forest.

With the small hill of "Iimorigajo" (1,067m) to your left and Mount Tsurumi in the distance to your right, and across the rolling meadows, the full panorama of Mount Yufu unfolds. It’s a rare sight in Japan to see a mountain so clearly from its base to the summit. Let's start by capturing a perfect photo here with Mount Yufu towering in front of you.

3. From the National Forest to the Switchbacks: Feel the Elevation with Forest and City Views

After walking through the forest for about 30 minutes, you will arrive at "Goya-Goe". Let's take your first break here. This is also the point where the trails from the West Trailhead and "Iimorigajo" merge. Remember the path you came up from the Main Trailhead so you don't get lost on the way back.

From "Goya-Goe", you'll climb through a relatively easy natural forest for a while, then enter a zigzagging path that ascends in a switchback. The path is narrow, so please yield to hikers coming down or those wishing to pass.  

Along the way, the winding path offers great views, allowing you to see the "Yamanami Highway" and the Yufuin Basin. As you climb higher, the sight of the town of Yufuin below shrinking like a miniature is the very essence of the joy of mountain climbing.

4. At the Matae Fork: Heading to the East Peak for a Full Panoramic View

Once you reach "Matae," the fork in the trail leading to the East and West Peak, you're almost at the summit. From here, the terrain becomes rockier, so be careful where you step. For those with little hiking experience or limited time, we recommend taking the East Peak route to the right from "Matae".

From the East Peak, you'll find an unobstructed panoramic view: the summit of Mount Tsurumi is right next door, Beppu Bay is visible in the distance, and on the opposite side, you can see the Kuju Mountains, including Mount Nakadake, the highest mountain on the Kyushu island. This view, captured with your own feet, is the ultimate best shot.

Optional Route: For Experienced Hikers—West Peak and the Crater Rim (Ohachi-Meguri)

Those with sufficient mountaineering experience can challenge themselves by attempting the West Peak or the "Ohachi-Meguri," a route that circles the rim of the crater. From Matae to the West Peak, you will encounter the "Crab Walk" (a narrow, horizontal ledge) and steep sections with iron chains. Please use extreme caution.

The Crater Rim Walk (Ohachi-Meguri) is extremely dangerous due to unstable rocky slopes (scree) and sections where the trail has collapsed. Fatal falls have occurred here. Please refrain from attempting this route if you lack proper hiking experience or gear, or during poor visibility and unstable weather.

Safety for You, Heritage for Yufuin: Essential Rules for Every Hiker

Mount Yufu is a part of the Aso-Kuju National Park, a pride of Japan. To ensure your own safety and the safety of the local community living at its base, please strictly follow the rules below.

Stay on the Trail: Do Not Step on Vegetation.

Leaving the hiking trails to take photographs or otherwise trampling on vegetation is strictly prohibited. Mountain plants and their roots act as "natural dams" that store rainwater and prevent soil erosion. When plants are trampled and wither, it directly causes landslides and flooding on roads at the foot of the mountain.

Hiking Gear: No Sandals or Casual Wear. Boots Required.

The hiking trail includes rocky areas and steep, slippery slopes, so be sure to wear appropriate hiking boots. Also, the weather at the summit can change quickly and strong winds are possible, so warm clothing is essential even in summer.

Environment: Pack it in, pack it out. Take all trash home.

Littering, including plastic bottles and food scraps, is absolutely unacceptable. To protect wildlife and the pristine landscape, please take every piece of trash home with you.  

Facilities: No Toilets or Water on the Trail.

Use the restroom at the trailhead before you start. Bring your own toilet paper, as it is not provided. There are no vending machines or lockers at the parking lot or bus stop. Purchase all supplies in Yufuin town beforehand.