Assi House

The hot spring was hot enough and lovely, and after soaking, the massage chair in my Japanese-style room was just right. The room had a heater under the table that kept me cozy, though the garden-side doors let in quite a chill late at night and in the morning. Toilets and showers were shared, but cleaner than most hotels I've stayed at in Japan. The rooms had a fresh, clean scent, and the shower could be locked while in use, giving plenty of privacy and time to enjoy the hot spring. I went alone to Yufuin for one night, and the stay felt healing and relaxing, like visiting your grandma in the countryside. An older lady ran the place and used a translation app to tell me about it. She was friendly and quick to answer questions. Breakfast was tasty and generous, and I could choose what time to have it. Assi the cat made the stay well worth it. She was adorable and playful, though she might get annoyed if you played too roughly. I guess she didn't like me much because I'm a girl too and don't speak Japanese. I'd like to learn Japanese and come back for Assi.

The room was so cute and cozy that I wished I'd booked more than one night. The place is B&B style, with separate house baths, shower rooms, and toilets. Everything was clean and quiet, and the garden was well kept. They provided pajamas too. I had to keep my late-night noise down, since I'm a night owl who likes doing things after midnight. The very nice lady running the place felt like a mom or granny, and Assi the cat was there too. It's not far from the station, though with big luggage you'll have to drag it uphill a bit. Yufuin's streets get very quiet and dark in the evening, so I'd recommend getting back before it gets too late. If you're driving, there's an open parking area nearby, separate from the B&B, and the place isn't responsible for cars parked there.

Assi around made the stay memorable. This cozy homestay is about a five-minute walk from Yufuin station, with breakfast included and a non-public onsen. The bathroom is shared, if you're okay with that.

Once you're inside, it's easy to relax in this neat, cozy place. The road leading to the house is a bit narrow, but the hostess keeps everything tidy and the location is great. Definitely recommend.