Yufuin Onsen Besso Furusato

Dinner was delicious, with appetizers, salad, and soup followed by charcoal-grilled Bungo beef loin, tongue, local chicken, and vegetables. There are five baths using 100% natural hot spring water, including a family bath with an open-air bath. If available, you can use them any time until 9am. On a cold January morning, the indoor bath felt a little hot, so I tried the open-air one, which was just right, then went back inside. It made for a perfect morning soak. The owners were very polite, and I enjoyed talking with them. I’d like to return. It really feels like a vacation home called "hometown." I stayed at "Mochinoki," which was a huge success compared with other ryokans I’ve visited recently. It had three rooms: one with a table and TV, a twin bedroom, and a tatami room with a TV and massage chair. I could really relax there, though do note the steps. The room is above the dining area, and meals mean carrying a sturdy rope down a slightly steep staircase. There’s also access from the dining area entrance, but the rope stairs seemed quicker and more fun, so I used the indoor stairs for both meals. A long time ago, I stayed at "Yamaboshi," a two-story ryokan. That one had a large living room downstairs, four beds in an upstairs bedroom, and a toilet and TV on each floor, which was very convenient.

The owners are a husband and wife who run the guesthouse. Our group of seven adults and seven children stayed in the largest detached wooden cabin, and it was well heated even though the weather was quite chilly. They arranged two private hot spring rooms for us, one with an outdoor bath. Soaking in the hot spring on a cold day was wonderful. We booked one night with dinner and breakfast included. Dinner was excellent Bungo beef yakiniku, and the owner's wife made a delicious Japanese set breakfast. Highly recommended!

We came in early April while the cherry blossoms were out. The owner was very friendly, greeted us, and told us a lot about the local area. He paid close attention to what guests needed, and we had a great experience.

All five baths are family baths, and you can use them as often as you like. The water comes straight from the hot spring source on the property and flows continuously. It’s quite hot, but the open-air bath was wonderful, and the water felt good on my skin. The owner has a lovely personality. The whole building is rented to one group and the rooms are spacious. I’d like to take my time here again the next time I visit Yufuin Onsen.