[Yufuin] Explore 3 Shrines & Hidden Springs! A 2-Hour "Off-the-Beaten-Path" Cycling Route in Yufuin

• Table of Contents
• Discover Yufuin’s Hidden Side: 3 Shrines, Pure Water, and Scenic Rice Fields
• ① From the Riverside to the Sacred "Unagi-hime Shrine"
• ② Ogosha Shrine: Home to a 1,000-Year-Old Sacred Tree
• ③ "Upside-Down Mt. Yufu": Stunning Mirror Reflections in the Rice Fields
• ④ Sacred Springs & Scenic Trains: A Relaxing Stop at Wakamiya Hachiman
• Map in hand, spring cycling begins!

Discover Yufuin’s Hidden Side: 3 Shrines, Pure Water, and Scenic Rice Fields

When it comes to sightseeing in Yufuin, the classic route is to head from the station to Yunotsubo Kaido Street or Lake Kinrin (Kinrinko), but don't you sometimes feel that it's too crowded with people and cars to enjoy a relaxing sightseeing experience? For those of you who feel that way, here's a special cycling route for you.

Why not rent a bicycle and venture to the other side (west side) of the station? There, a quiet and leisurely route awaits, perfect even on a regular, non-electric bicycle. Visiting Yufuin's three shrines in two hours is sure to bring you good fortune.

Yufuin Bike Rentals

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

The Yufu City Tourist Information Center, located next to JR Yufuin Station, offers bike rentals. Please come directly to the reception counter on the day of rental and apply. Our bike rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Advance reservations and phone reservations are not accepted. ◎Prices City bike: Basic fee: 1,000 yen for 2 hours / Extension fee: 500 yen per hour Cross-bike: Basic fee: 2,000 yen for 2 hours / Extension fee: 1,000 yen per hour Payment must be made in advance (cash or PayPay). Extension fees are paid when you return the bike. Please note that the base fee is for up to 2 hours of use. We do not offer refunds for rentals shorter than the 2 hours base period. ◎How to apply: To rent a bike, please visit the Yufu City Tourist Information Center during business hours. You will need to fill out an application form and show a valid ID (e.g., passport).

① From the Riverside to the Sacred "Unagi-hime Shrine"

Our starting point is the Yufu City Tourist Information Center, located next to Yufuin Station. Here, we'll rent a bicycle and head towards Miyukibashi Bridge, which spans the Oita River.

Turn left at Miyukibashi Bridge, run under the row of cherry trees along the river, and you'll reach Jōbashi Bridge. Turn right there and go a little further, and a rural landscape will come into view on your left. This is where you should aim for your first best shot of Mt. Yufu.

If you continue straight to the end of the road, you will arrive at Unagihime Shrine, which is enveloped in a tranquil atmosphere. First, let's pray for a safe journey.

② Ogosha Shrine: Home to a 1,000-Year-Old Sacred Tree

Cross Prefectural Road 11 and go up a slight slope to reach "Ogosha Shrine." The path leading to the entrance of the shrine is narrow and steep, so be sure to dismount your bicycle and walk it.

This is a little-known power spot where a giant cedar tree, designated as a national natural monument, stands majestically. Just standing in front of the "torii" gate, you can feel the crisp, cool air.

If you go around to the back of the giant cedar tree, which is said to be over 1000 years old, you will find a large hollow where a divine statue is enshrined. Experience its overwhelming vitality firsthand. *Currently, for conservation purposes, touching the giant cedar tree directly is prohibited.

③ "Upside-Down Mt. Yufu": Stunning Mirror Reflections in the Rice Fields

Descend the slope from "Ogosha Shrine," cross the railroad crossing, and enter the rural area inside the tracks. The wide road next to the community sports ground is a perfect photo spot with nothing obstructing the view. Take your time to capture your best shot away from the crowds.

I especially recommend visiting during the time when the rice paddies are filled with water (usually from mid-April to May). When the wind dies down, the rice paddies become like a mirror, reflecting the "inverted Mt. Yufu." This is a hidden gem of a spring spot in Yufuin that can only be seen for a short period from before the rice is planted until the rice plants grow tall.

④ Sacred Springs & Scenic Trains: A Relaxing Stop at Wakamiya Hachiman

After passing through the countryside and crossing the tracks to the other side, you arrive at Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine with its red "torii" gate. The Kyudai Main Line runs right in front of you across the road, and if you're lucky, you can see the beautiful green train "Yufuin no Mori" passing by up close.

The water that springs from "Miyagawa Taki no Kuchi" near the shrine is a prized product, selected as one of the "15 Famous Waters of Toyo Province (Oita)." Quench your thirst with this cold and delicious spring water and soothe your cycling fatigue. *Please observe proper etiquette when drinking the water and don't forget to make an offering!

Map in hand, spring cycling begins!

After checking the weather forecast, the next step is to download the " Yufuin Walking Map " from the official travel guide [YUFUINFO]. Check the cycling routes in advance and embark on a truly insider's trip to Yufuin.

English-language maps are available at the Yufu City Tourist Information Center. Please feel free to ask our staff when you rent a bicycle. We can also introduce you to other hidden gems recommended by our staff!

Official Travel Guide [YUFUINFO] Yufuin Basin 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)