Cool Summer Escape from Yufuin: Recharge with the Majestic Nature of Yufugawa Gorge & Oike Springs

2026.06.21

A summer getaway departing from Yufuin to enjoy the cool summer air. From the sacred site of pure water, "Oike Springs (Oike Pond)," through the primeval forest to "Meisui Waterfall," and further on, explore the breathtaking scenery of the mystical green corridor of the "Yufugawa Gorge." In addition to Yufuin, we also suggest a relaxing trip staying at the charming Yunohira Onsen (Hot Spring) with its cobblestone streets.

Where to This Summer? Venture Beyond Yufuin to Discover a Secret Oasis of Cool

After enjoying the town of Yufuin, why not venture a little further and discover a "secret scenic spot" that is still unknown to many people?

This time, we'll introduce two hidden gems accessible by car from Yufuin, where you can be enveloped in the mystery and refreshing atmosphere of nature: "Oike Springs (Oike Pond)" and "Yufugawa Gorge ." These are perfect off-the-beaten-path spots for those who want to get away from the crowds and take a deep breath.

1. A Miracle of Blue Light! Discover the Pristine Waters of Oike Springs, One of Japan’s Top 100 Water Sources

Located about 50 minutes by car from Yufuin, Oike Oike Springs (Oike Pond) , nestled at the foot of Mount Mt. Kurodake in the Kuju Mountain Range , is a group of pure Yusui that form the source of the Aso . Even within Yufu City, which is blessed with abundant water, it is a special sacred place of water where you can feel a unique sense of mystery.

After paying the cleaning cooperation fee (100 yen) at the Oike Springs (Oike Pond) Management Office from the parking lot, we finally enter the lush green forest. From here, you can choose from a variety of routes to suit your purpose, from an easy 30-minute round-trip walking trail to a full-fledged mountain climb. This time, let's head to a pleasant walking trail course surrounded by the babbling of a stream and the chirping of birds.

The walking trails are well-maintained and easy to walk on, while still making the most of the natural landscape. However, there are some areas where tree roots protrude, so please be careful of your footing while enjoying your forest bath.

Stunning Clarity! A Miraculous Emerald Green Created by Shifting Light

The first point of interest that signals the start of your stroll, and the biggest highlight of the trip, is the Yusui at " Oike Springs (Oike Pond) ," where water gushes out continuously.

Stepping inside, you are greeted by a breathtakingly clear surface of water, where you can see the fallen trees and swaying moss at the bottom with remarkable clarity, as if nothing were there at all. Depending on the angle of the sunlight, the water's surface changes its appearance from a mystical emerald green to a deep blue, a beauty so captivating that simply gazing at it feels like your soul is being cleansed.

This pure spring water, selected as one of the "100 Best Waters of Japan" by the Ministry of the Environment, is refreshingly cool at approximately 12.6°C throughout the year and is characterized by its mellow taste. A water-drawing area is also provided at the Yusui , allowing visitors to actually draw water and take it home, so you can enjoy the blessings of nature with all your senses while breathing in negative ions.

Leaving the mystical Yusui of Oike Springs (Oike Pond) behind, let's continue our journey along the walking trail, which retains even more abundant nature, in search of the next breathtaking view. From here, you can enjoy a hiking experience that feels as if you've stepped into a deep forest story.

Deep in the Primeval Forest: The Forest-Bathing Trail to Meisui Waterfall

As soon as you start walking, you'll be enveloped in the overwhelming green of the Mt. Kurodake Primeval Forest, which is designated as a national natural monument. Giant trees that seem to cover your head and moss-covered rock faces that stretch as far as the eye can see, and with each step you take, you can feel the hustle and bustle of the city fading away. The deep forest gently blocks the strong summer sun, and a cool, pleasant breeze blows through the dappled sunlight.

After walking through the forest for a while, you'll come across a strange sight that will make you stop in your tracks. It's the "tree that grasps the rock," one of Oike Springs (Oike Pond)'s famous features. The roots of a huge tree grow powerfully, "embracing" a rugged, massive rock. This sight, which tells the story of the plant's vitality that has survived for hundreds of years in a harsh natural environment and the passage of time, is truly a work of art created by nature. It's a perfect photo spot that symbolizes the mystery of the forest.

As you venture further in, you'll encounter a powerful roaring sound of water, quite different from the tranquil beauty of Oike Springs (Oike Pond). Following the sound, you'll finally arrive at the "Meisui Waterfall." A cool breeze, carrying the spray of water, blows through, allowing you to bask in the ultimate negative ions.

2. The Mystical Cool Oasis: Exploring the Green Corridor and Crystal-Clear Waters of Yufugawa Gorge

Located about 30 minutes from Yufuin, on the way to Beppu, slightly off the Yamanami Highway, lies the Yufugawa Gorge, a secluded spot where stunningly beautiful, deeply cut rock faces, carved over an unimaginable period of time, stretch for approximately 12 kilometers. It is a breathtaking natural wonder.

Cut off from the hustle and bustle of the surroundings, this canyon is filled with a cool, refreshing air that is completely different from the outside world the moment you step inside, and a mystical world unfolds before you, as if time has stood still. Among the many famous places in Yufu City, this is a hidden gem known only to those in the know, where you can fully experience an overwhelming sense of the extraordinary that makes you forget your daily life, and the serene beauty unique to a secluded place.

Descend 200 Steps into Another World: An Ethereal Escape from the Everyday

After parking your car, pay the beautification and cleaning cooperation fee (100 yen) at the Yufugawa Gorge Tourism Association, and slowly descend the well-maintained staircase that appears before you, about 200 steps in total. With each step you take down, you can feel the surrounding temperature drop, and a mystical and fantastical landscape unfolds before your eyes, as if you are opening a door to another world.

Reaching the bottom, you find yourself in an unknown space, isolated from the outside world. The towering rock walls on either side narrow to about 2 meters in some places, and reach a height of 60 meters at their deepest points. You are overwhelmed by the dramatic sight of the earth being cut so deeply and sharply into the sky. The scenery, a tapestry of moss-covered rock faces and the faint light filtering in from far above, is filled with a mystical quality that instantly draws you in.

Forget the Busy Streets: Time for a Refreshing Dip in Pure Nature

Inside the canyon, surrounded by lush greenery, the air is surprisingly cool and refreshing even in the middle of summer, creating a cool and invigorating atmosphere as if you were in a natural air conditioner.

If you dip your feet into the bottom of the flowing river, you'll be surprised by the refreshing coolness of the crystal-clear water that permeates your entire body, providing a pleasant sensation that instantly soothes away the fatigue of your journey. As you splash around in the shallows and enjoy playing in the water, gazing up at the sunlight filtering through the trees and the lush greenery from far above, all your senses will be refreshed, and the hustle and bustle of daily life and the noise of the city will seem to vanish as if by magic. Immerse yourself in the dynamic power of nature and simply surrender yourself to the luxurious flow of time.

A Little Summer Treat: Chilling Ramune Soda in the Crystal-Clear River

Furthermore, there are small summer-only treats that will make your stay in the Yufugawa Gorge even more special.

Pick up a well-chilled "Gorge Ramune" at the "Gorge Teahouse" in the parking lot. With the ramune in hand, descend the stairs and once you reach the bottom of the gorge, immediately jump into the crystal-clear stream flowing before you. Gently immerse the ramune bottle in the cold water at the bottom of the river to cool it further, and you'll have a natural refrigerator created by nature itself.

Listen to the gentle murmur of the river, gaze up at the lush greenery, and take a sip of ramune soda chilled even more by the river water. The refreshing fizz and effervescence will evoke a nostalgic summer scene. More than just drinking it, the extra touch of chilling it with the river's coolness will surely make your travel memories even more vivid.

The Perfect Finale: Step into a Mountain Hideaway of Red Lanterns and Stone-Paved Streets at Yunohira Onsen

After enjoying the refreshing coolness of nature, take a short trip to Yunohira Onsen. This hot spring town, nestled quietly in the mountains, offers a different atmosphere from the bustling Yufuin, and is symbolized by its charming cobblestone slopes said to have been built during the Edo period. As dusk falls, red lanterns softly light up, enveloping the area in a nostalgic and somewhat familiar atmosphere.

After a pleasantly weary walk through canyons and primeval forests, the historic hot springs gently soothe your body from the core, offering a blissful moment of relaxation. Spending a quiet evening in a secluded, almost hidden retreat, listening to the soothing sound of the flowing river, makes for a luxurious and fitting conclusion to your summer trip.

"Oike Springs (Oike Pond)," "Yufugawa Gorge," and "Yunohira Onsen (Hot Spring)." Located right next to Yufuin, this is a special area known only to those in the know, where an overwhelming scale of unspoiled beauty and supreme relaxation remain. On your next day off, why not change into slightly more active shoes and embark on a luxurious summer trip to fully nourish your five senses?