Yufu City Japan`s number one city of cherishing local autonomy; Best to live
Basic information
| Location | Yufu City, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu Tel:097-582-1111 |
| Official Homepage | http://www.city.yufu.oita.jp/ |
| Population | 36,308 (1st August 2011) |
| Area | 319.16k㎡ |
| Annual Temperature | 13.0℃ |
| Annual Precipitation | 1949.5mm |
C.voice
Darshi Manohari Gamage's Recommendation 
Shonai-Kagura
"Kagura" is a traditional art in Japan.
According to the Kojien (single-volume Japanese dictionary) the name of "Kagura" has been transformed by "Kamukura" (place where there is a god or spirit or containing the sacred object of a shrine).
Welcome the god to Kamukura by dance and songs of Kagura and hold this for long life and prosperous harvest.
The Kagura dance varies from the area.
Shonai-Kagura is the generic name of Kagura hold in Shonai area in Yufu, Oita Prefecture.
It seems, the start up of Shonai-Kagura is referred to the early Meiji period (1868-1877).
Mr. Sato Kikutaro professionalized "Asakusa-ryu Inuyama Kagura" and established Shonai-Kagura by organizing a troupe of neighbors.
There are 12 troupes of Kagura (Kagura-za) in Shonai and regular performances take place from April to October annually.
"Shonai-Kagura Festival "is held on every 3rd of November.
When you say "Kagura", it's pure Japanese and seem to be a little old for some one.
But Shonai-kagura is different.
Several years ago, "Mysterious Live" was conducted collaborating with the world famous jazz pianist Mrs. Toshiko Akiyoshi.
In addition, there is a local entertainment section at Oita Prefectural Yufu High School, Shonai town and high school students practice Kagura hardly every day.
The Kagura perform by young actors is very lively and dynamic.
This local entertainment section regularly holds "All Japan Senior High School Cultural Festival" and exchange activities in the field of local entertainment with neighboring Korean high schools.
I think you will understand how new and internationalized Shonai-kagura is.
On the other hand, diligent activities also convey the tradition.
The Kagura troupes are supported by local people.
Gather after work and practice the dance and musical accompaniment.
Preschool children and kindergarten children in Shonai town also practice Kagura and show the result at "Shonai Kagura Festival."
A workshop for beginners who interest about Kagura from outside Yufu city has started recently.
There was the consecutive 22nd Shonai-Kagura Festival on 3rd of November 2011.
I had a chance to see this dynamic Japanese traditional art for the first time in my life.
Even it was a slight rain in the beginning; plenty of people have come to enjoy this unique tradition.
This Shonai-Kagura attracts so many people through generations and they come to enjoy this every year.
This time "Shonai-kodomo-kagura" is the most impressed Kagura troupe for me.
The magical point is, one will hardly realize the Shonai-kodomo-kagura performs by both elementary school students and junior high school students because of their professional dancing style.
Those who couldn't come to the event this time please enjoy my pictures above and I recommend to witness Shonai-Kagura art at least once in your lifetime.
| Address | Shonai Town, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu |
| Access | around 20mins by foot from Tenjinyama station |
| Best Season | April-November |
| Parking availability・Price | Yes |
| Contact | Commerce and Tourism Division,Yufu City Tel:0977-84-3111 |
Misaki Kamata's Recommendation 
Yunohira Onsengai (Yunohira Hot Spring Street)
Take the Route 210 from Oita-City towards Yufuin. After a 40 minute drive you will come to a red iron bridge. That is the entrance to Yunohira Hot Springs. Once there, go up the hill for 5 min and you will get to the Yunohira Hot Spring Street.
Yunohira Hot Spring Street has a long history. It was founded in Kamakura period and stone paved in late Edo period. When you walk the quiet alley surrounded by hot springs and old houses, carrying your bucket and a bath towel, you can feel a bit like stepping back in time.
Accessing the Spa area maybe a little bit difficult because it is not near the main street. On the other hand, the remote location guarantees a quiet and peaceful environment. The murmuring of the streets and twittering birds fill the air in day time. And when the night falls, the faint sound of a train running faraway can be caught.
The best side of Yunohira Hot Spring Street is that it is enjoyable during all four seasons. Accordingly, from spring to winter you can enjoy cherry blossoms, fresh greenery, maple leaves, and snow. The city is highly recommended if you want to slowly forget the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
| Address | Yunohira, Yufuin Town, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu |
| Access | Car: From JRYunohira Station, 15 mins |
| Best Season | Winter |
| Restroom Availability | No (available in neighbouring shops) |
| Parking availability・Price | Available; free |
| Contact | Tourism and Industry Board in Yufu City Tel:0977-84-3111 |
Misaki Kamata's Recommendation
Yunohira Onsen Kyodoyokujo (Yunohira Public Hot Springs)
Yunohira Hot Spring Street has a number of public hot springs in addition to the onsens in the guest houses. The most famous of them are: Kin-no-yu (Gold Spring), located in the upper stream; Gin-no-yu (Silver Spring ), located in the middle of the stone paved main street; and the Hashimotono-yu, which is the largest within the onsens in Yunohira public hot spring street.
Before you enter the Hashimoto-no-yu spring, drop 100 yen to the coin box. Newcomers will surprise because there is no division between the changing room and the bath. The washing space is only one step away from the dressing room. For this reason, wooden shelves are placed on the wall where you can place your clothes and belongings while bathing.
There is a small opening without a glass up in the wall, which brings about another surprising point of this hot spring: a cool breeze comes through this hole, touches your skin gently and cools you down while in hot water.
It seems that in the old days there were many public hot springs like this in Oita and Beppu but presently only few can be found. Consider these two surprising points in a positive way and go to try out Hashimoto no Yu in Yunohira Hot Spring Street. By the way the water there is colorless and clean, and good for health.
| Address | Yunohira, Yufuin Town, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture,Kyushu |
| Access | Car: From JRYunohira Station, 15 mins |
| Best Season | Winter |
| Restroom Availability | No (available in neighbouring shops) |
| Parking availability・Price | Available; free |
| Contact | Tourism and Industry Board in Yufu City Tel:0977-84-3111 |
Darshi Manohari Gamage's Recommendation
Sagiridai Observation Deck
When you drive 15 minutes from Yufuin Interchange towards Beppu, you will come across Sagiridai overlook that offers a panoramic view over Yufuin basin. This is one of the very famous spots that tourists who come to visit Yufuin Town never miss. On the way you can enjoy a lax mountain drive while watching the beautiful scenery of each upcoming season around Yufudake.
From spring to autumn cattle grazes in the lush meadows of the valley like small toys on a green carpet. At the distance, rows of houses, roads, rice paddies and forests, and the low lands of Yufuin, create a beautiful landscape to watch.
From autumn to winter the entire Yufuin basin is shroud by an early morning mist. Watching that feels like watching the Earth form space. Finally, the lovely city lights of Yufuin in the evening create yet another scene worth watching from Yufu Sagiridai Observation Deck.
| Address | Kawakami, Yufuin Town, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture,Kyushu |
| Access | Car: From JRYufuin Station, 15 mins |
| Best Season | Beginning of spring to winter |
| Restroom Availability | Yes |
| Parking availability・Price | Up to 18 vehicles; free |
| Contact | Tourism and Industry Board in Yufu City Tel:0977-84-3111 |
Keisuke Kai's Recommendation 
Shonai Pears Soft Cream
Oita Prefecture is one of the famous places for soft creams in Japan. From any area in Oita Prefecture you can find various types of soft creams. Some of the flavours are well known to all, such as strawberry and blueberry; but some quite rare, such as miso (Japanese soybean paste), kabosu (Japanese citrus fruit), and genmai (brown rice). The names of the soft creams may surprise in at first. When you taste them, you will realize that these rare soft cream sorts that do not exist in other areas except Oita, are yummy!
Among them, I recommend to try out the Pear Soft Cream at Yufu City. The Shonai Town in Yufu City is known as a producer of pears. The rich soil and ideal climate offer an ideal growing environment for sweet pears. Many tourists come to Shonai Town to hunt these delicious pears. They are used to make pear jam which is further used in the pear soft cream. When asked, some might generally think pears have a light taste, but in Shonai, pears and the pear soft cream is full of sweetness and pear flesh.
When visiting Yufu City, please, try out the soft creams!
| Address | Higashi Choho [Choho Furusato Market], Shonai Town, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture,Kyushu |
| Access | Car: From JROnoya Station, 5 mins |
| Business Hours | 9:00-18:00 |
| Price | 300yen |
| Best Season | End of summer to autumn |
| Restroom Availability | Yes |
| Parking availability・Price | Available; free |
| Contact | Tourism and Industry Board in Yufu City Tel:0977-84-3111 |
Kaori Kudo's Recommendation 
Daijogon Shrine
The Daijiyougon (command-in-chief) Shinto Shrine is located at the altitude of 253 meters in the Ogura-yama natural park, Hasama Town, Yufu City. It is worshiped as the guardian deity of horses and cattle transportation (in the past, roads were in poor condition and many accidents happened while moving farm animals).
During the time before tractors and other agricultural machines existed, farmers used cattle and horses to do their farming chores. Those farmers came to this shrine from very far distances to pray for safety and health of their cattle and horses.
While stone statues of guardian dogs can be found in many Japanese shrines the Daijiyougon Shrine holds in stone statues of horses and cattle. Paintings that depict a rabbit and a wild boar can be observed on the ceilings of the shrine. The statues and paintings express the deep connection that humans and animals used to have in the old days.
Though this is a very quiet place in normal days, each year from 13th to 15th of January there is a festival called Grand Spring Festival. The stock farmers in this region come with their cattle and there are a lot of stalls. This is a busy and very cheerful time at the Shrine.
The Natural Park, in addition to the Daijiyougon shrine, includes interesting objects like the Mt. Fudomyoo, Ashinaga stone, The Rock of Hakkoi (Hakkoi means first love), The Rock of Fufu (Fufu means husband and wife). If you are interested, take a stroll, enjoy the beautiful nature and view the attractions that this quiet park has to offer.
| Address | Shinohara, Hasama Town, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture,Kyushu |
| Access | Car: From JROnigase Station, 10 mins/ Walk: From JROnigase Station, 40 mins |
| Best Season | Beginning of spring |
| Restroom Availability | Yes |
| Parking availability・Price | Up to 20 vehicles; free |
| Contact | Tourism and Industry Board in Yufu City Tel:0977-84-3111 |
Aho Lauri's Recommendation 
Yufudake (Mt. Yufu)
The destination in Yufu City, which I would like to recommend for everyone is Yufu-dake. If you are not familiar with Yufu-dake yet, here is a concise description: Yufu-dake (由布岳、ゆふだけ) or in English Mt. Yufu is an eminent double peak mountain towering to a height of 1,583.3 meters (5194.6 ft), and located close to the cozy onsen town of Yufuin.
OK, why thumbs up for Mt. Yufu? In three points, the features that make it a must-visit destination are:
- Scenery. From the summit one can grasp a stunning view of the entire Oita Prefecture from the sea to the inland.
- Timing. In season all year round: green in the summer; red, orange and yellow in autumn; white in winter; and blooming during spring.
- Terrain. Suitable for every fitness level and for people of all ages. Safe but appositely challenging.
Above those, I like Mt. Yufu because I can find peace and quietness there. The trails that have an approximate elevation of 813 meters (2667.3 ft) are not at all teeming of people.
The hike it self takes four hours, thus leaving plenty of time to bathe slowly in any of the numerous onsens of Yufuin or Yunohira. I suggest purchasing a drink made of Kabosu or Yuzu to cool down after the onsen. For a complete local experience it is well worth to browse through the wide range of local products.
Until today, I have risen to Mt. Yufu three times. Yet still there are trails to explore. Once, with a group of friends we made our own way down through a mountain stream that had dried out. That was quite adventurous.
During winter the peak is covered in bright white frost. Jokingly a friend of mine once advised to take some whiskey and a glass to the top and pick pieces of crystal-like frost to make a Yufudake-drink. Didn't try it but sounded tempting.
| Address | Yufuin Town, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture |
| Access | Car: From JRYufuin Station, 15 mins |
| Best Season | Any time of year (excluding rainy days) |
| Restroom Availability | Yes |
| Parking availability・Price | Up to 39 vehicles; free |
| Contact | Tourism and Industry Board in Yufu City Tel:0977-84-3112 |
Eri Sakai's Recommendation 
Oike (Oike Spring)
The mountain ranges at Aso National Park are known as the roof of Kyushu. The eastern corner of the park, where Mt. Kuro (Kurodake) locates, is occupied largerly by Kyushu's foremost virgin forests.
This time I would like to introduce Oike spring which situated at the foot of Mt. Kuro. Each minute 14 tons of water rush up from the bottom of the pond. The quantity that springs out during one day is over 20,000 tons. This place has been selected as "One of the famous hundred places of pure natural water" in Japan.
A beautiful green forest stretches along the footpath that leads to Oike. The cool breeze is pleasant for skin. The sounds of birds and the murmuring streams make one's mind relaxed. The big trees are covered with plenty of water and the sunlight shines through the leaves of those tress making them glitter. May is the season of new green leaves. The water that gushes forth from Oike gives an impression that it sustains new life.
The area surrounding Oike provides well maintained trails upon which one can walk freely and feel the sheer of nature. Stop by the river side or in the forest and enjoy a lunch while viewing the scenery. Each one has their own way for enjoying Oike's nature. For a moment away from the city's hustle and bustle, how about Oike's nature?
Water is essential to our lives. And we live as part of nature. From a place where nature is vivid, surely humans can get energy to live, wouldn't you agree?
| Address | Asono Nishidaihara, Shonai Town, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture |
| Access | Car: From JRShonai Station, 45 mins/ Via Yufuin IC, 40 mins |
| Fee | 100yen |
| Best Season | April-November |
| Restroom Availability | Yes |
| Parking availability・Price | Up to 200 vehicles; free |
| Contact | Tourism and Industry Board in Yufu City Tel:0977-84-3112 |
Tourist spots
| Yufu River Gorge(Yufugawa keikoku) | Yufu River Gorge(Yufugawa keikoku)is a 60 meter steep canyon surrounded by smooth surfaced lava rocks. Over 40 waterfalls cascade down the ravine. | |
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| Lake Kinrin(Kinrinko) | A scholar named Mouri Kusou in early Meiji period, named the fishes in this pond as golden scales shining to sunset. This is an unusual pond due to spring hot water and cold water from the one part of the bottom of this pond. Early morning in winter the scenery of this pond covering by fog is fantastic. | |
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Special Products and Souvenirs
| Shonai Pear | Shonai Pear, a sweet and juicy pear is among other things used to produce delicious jams and wine. |
| Yufuin yuzu | Yuzu is an aromatic yellow citrus fruit grown in the Shimoyunohira area of Yufu-city. It is produced and used as main ingredient in numerous speciality products. |
| Tomato | This tomato, also known as Momotaro - the Peach Boy - tomatoes because of their round peach-like shape, are claimed to be excellent for body's health and beauty. |
| Yufuin blueberry | Yufuin blueberries are known for their sweetness, large size and thin peel. They become ripe and are sold seasonally between June and July. The berries are further turned into yogurts and jams that can be bought in the area. |
| Yaseuma | Soy-flour and sugar dusted noodle dish where the noodles are long and flattish. Although the name might suggest, this dish has nothing to do with skinny horses, but is more of a dessert. |
History(People,Legendry)
| Ms. Yase | A lady who, according to the legend, lived in the prefecture and was a servant and a nanny in Heian period. She was the person behind Yaseuma noodle dish. The name, Yaseuma derives from her name, "Yase", and the word "uma", came when her nursling asked something to eat. |
| Taneda Santouka | Taneda Santouka is a widely celebrated poet who made only a short visit to Yunohira but while there wrote his most famous pieces of haiku. |
Events
| April | Yufuin Hot Spring Festival | Enjoy dance, music, food and of course onsens at the annual Yufuin Hot Spring Festival. | |
| July | Hasama Fireworks Display | The Hasama Fireworks Display is dedicated to celebrate the autonomy of the region. There, about 2,800 fireworks are fired over Oita River. Fireworks cast a beautiful reflection from the river surface attracting many photographers to the event. | |
| August | Yufuin Cultural Film Festival | Yufuin Film Festival, started in 1976, is the oldest film festival in Japan. The event is held every year in the Yufuin Station Square. | |
| October | Eat Bungo beef and shout! | The annual Bungo beef eating and shouting contest, started in 1976, is one of the most well-known and most hilarious events of Yufu-city. | |
| November | Shonai Kagura | Shonai Kagura is a sacred dance festival has been helding from over 200 years. There are 12 groups of Kagura dance which influenced by Shonai and Aso Kagura dancing system. The temper of both way is high and use drums and fluets as instruments. Sometimes you can enjoy humorouse dance features. | |
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