2026.09.22
Enjoy a private taxi tour of Yufuin's main attractions. Pick-up and drop-off from your accommodation is available, making it easy to travel even with luggage, and ideal for rainy days or families. Reservations can be made through the Yufu City Tourist Information Center.
If you want to enjoy sightseeing in Yufuin comfortably, a private taxi is highly recommended as it eliminates the stress of getting around. This is especially beneficial for families with small children, elderly people with mobility issues, or on rainy days, as a private taxi plan eliminates the need to open an umbrella or wait for a bus every time you move around.
Our chartered taxi service offers a sightseeing course where you can choose up to four locations from five of Yufuin's most representative tourist spots, including Lake Kinrin (Kinrinko), according to your mood and the weather of the day.
1561-1 Kawakami , Yufuin-cho, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture, 879-5102
It's a 30-minute stroll (about 10 minutes by car) from Yufuin Station along Yunotsubo Kaido Street. It's a popular tourist spot that represents Yufuin.
Because it is located at the foot of Mt. Yufu, it was called "Takenshitan-Ike" (meaning "the pond below the mountain") in the Oita dialect.
The turning point came in 1884. It is said that the Confucian scholar Mori Kuuso named the lake "Kinrin-ko" (Lake Kinrin) after seeing the scales of swimming fish shimmering golden in the setting sun.
A walking path surrounds the lake, making it the perfect place to stroll leisurely while watching fish and waterfowl swimming on the water's surface.
Furthermore, on chilly early mornings from autumn to winter, you can witness the breathtaking sight of steam rising from the lake's surface, enveloping it in a magical morning mist.
2220 Kawakami, Yufuin Kawakami, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture, 879-5102
It's about a 20-minute walk (or a 5-minute drive) from Yufuin Station, with views of Mt. Yufu and the surrounding countryside. This popular tourist spot in Yufuin also sees Horse-drawn Carriage (Tsujibasha) making a stop.
This shrine has long been affectionately known as "Rokushō-sama" in the local community, and "Rokushō" refers to the six deities enshrined at the shrine.
Yufuin was once a marshland with ruins dating back to the Yayoi period, and it is said that its origins lie in the worship of eels as the spirits of the marshland. The temple grounds in the past were vast, far larger than what can be imagined from its current appearance.
Throughout its long history, trees have been cut down several times, and records show that at the end of the Sengoku period, timber was cut from this shrine to construct the Bungo Ichinomiya "Yusuhara Hachimangu" (Oita City) by order of the feudal lord Otomo Yoshimune.
The large tree stump standing in the temple grounds is the remains of a giant cedar tree that felled during Typhoon Hagibis in 1991. It is now carefully enshrined as a reminder of the former culture of giant trees and the history of the shrine.
746-19, Kawaminami, Kawaminami Town, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture, 879-5...
Located about 1.5km from Yufuin Station is the Ogosha Shrine, famous for its giant trees. As you climb the steep slope, you'll see a mystical torii gate surrounded by dense trees.
The giant cedar tree standing right next to the main shrine building is a sacred tree designated as a national natural monument. Said to be over 1000 years old, it boasts an overwhelming presence with a base circumference of 13.3m, a trunk circumference of 10.9m, and a height of 38m. Behind the trunk is a hollow space about the size of three tatami mats, where a divine image is enshrined. (To protect the giant cedar, direct contact with the tree is prohibited.)
It's about a 5-minute drive (25-30 minute walk) from Yufuin Station, but the road is so narrow that it's difficult for cars to pass each other, and the path leading up to the parking lot is a steep slope. If you're not confident driving, it's recommended to take a leisurely stroll from the station and walk there.
1879 Kawakami, Yufuin Kawakami, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture, 879-5102
Bussanji Temple, known as an ancient temple of the Rinzai school of Zen Buddhism, is a historic temple that is deeply cherished by the local people.
The traditional thatched-roof gate has a nostalgic feel, and in autumn it becomes a popular spot for viewing autumn foliage. As you stroll through the charming temple grounds, you can slowly feel the history of Yufuin and the warmth of the faith of its people.
Its history dates back about a thousand years, when, following a divine revelation at Kirishima Shrine in Miyazaki Prefecture, a hermitage was built on the mountainside of Mt. Yufu, a statue of Kannon was carved, and it was enshrined there. Since then, it has flourished as the main center of Yufu's sacred sites, but in the Keicho earthquake of 1596, the main image of the statue fell into a valley. It is said that the villagers at the time later retrieved it and moved it to its current location.
It's about a 25-minute walk (or a 5-minute drive) from Yufuin Station. It's also included in the Horse-drawn Carriage (Tsujibasha) tours, making it a must-visit spot when exploring Yufuin.
144-1 Kawaminami, Kawaminami, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture, 879-5103
Located a 15-minute walk from JR Yufuin Station, this historic Zen temple, founded in 1370, stands quietly along the river, a little distance from the bustling station area.
In 1973, the old wooden temple complex was unfortunately completely destroyed by fire, but since then, a modern, fire-resistant main hall and living quarters have been rebuilt.
Kozenin Temple is associated with Zenkai, the monk who served as the model for the famous novel "Onshū no Kanata" by novelist Kan Kikuchi.
This place is known as the site where a monk who had once committed a transgression took monastic vows, shaved his head, and repented of his past sins. Later, while traveling around the country, the monk learned of the difficult terrain of Yabakei and fulfilled his grand ambition of hand-digging the "Aono-Domon Tunnel" (Nakatsu City, Oita Prefecture) over a period of 30 years, starting in 1735.
Within the lush grounds, you'll find expressive statues of the 16 Arhat Buddhas and stone Buddhas, and beyond the temple gate, you can enjoy a magnificent Mt. Yufu.
This is a charming spot where you can visit and pay your respects at a leisurely pace while reflecting on the history behind the masterpiece.
[60 minutes] 4 spots: 6,000 yen + pick-up fee 330 yen (tax included)
This 60-minute tour allows you to select 4 preferred attractions from a choice of 5 major spots.
• The above prices are based on information as of August 2026.
• The price is per taxi. (Up to 4 people per taxi)
• Prices are subject to change without notice. Please be aware of this in advance.
Fits up to 4 passengers—super affordable when shared!
If four people use it, it's just 1,500 yen per person. You can enjoy a luxurious and smooth trip that only a private rental can offer, while maintaining the privacy of your family or friends.
Direct hotel pickup included! Door-to-door transportation
We offer pick-up and drop-off services to and from your accommodation, so you don't have to carry heavy luggage. It's also ideal for sightseeing after check-out. (An additional pick-up fee may apply depending on your accommodation.)
Peace of mind, regardless of weather or physical condition
In addition to being able to visit tourist spots without getting wet even on rainy days, it reduces the burden of crowded buses and walking, so everyone can enjoy themselves with a smile, even if you are traveling with small children or family members with mobility issues.
Reservations for chartered taxis are accepted at the Yufu City Tourist Information Center, located next to JR Yufuin Station. While it is possible to arrange a taxi on the day of your visit if one is available, it is recommended to make a reservation at least one day in advance to ensure availability, as congestion is expected during peak tourist season and depending on the weather.
Why not spend some special time in Yufuin with a private taxi that can flexibly tailor its itinerary to the weather and the energy levels of your travel companions? Once your dates are set, please feel free to contact us by phone.
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)
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