Homestays in Oita Prefecture, Japan

It’s the third time we came to Yufuin. Previously, we stayed in onsen hotels with meals provided. This time we are staying for 2 months in Japan to experience the local life, and Yufuin was our third stop, where we stayed for 6 nights. The service is top notch. The host responded very quickly whenever I had queries, and very clear instructions for free pick-up were given days before check-in. As we stepped in the house, the air- conditioner had already been turned on there were 3 big bottles of water in the fridge which made us feel so welcome. They collected our trash every day and asked us what we needed. The guesthouse is an independent unit full of beautiful Japanese decorations. It was sparkling clean and thoughtfully furnished with everything you need. A first-aid box was provided. We were given 12 sets of clean towels and toilet amenities, including toothbrushes. We have stayed in different apartments before and have never experienced this. More importantly, the kitchen was well equipped with everything—many cutlery items of different sizes and even wine glasses. There were a hot pot and a frying pan, a toaster, rice cooker, coffee machine, and even a dishwasher. You can't imagine there is even a massage chair! The bathroom was designed like an onsen. You can simply add some onsen powder to enjoy a hot bath. You can easily access different attractions on foot. The location is about a 20-minute walk to the nearby supermarkets, 25 minutes to the main shopping streets, and 30 minutes to the JR station. If you drive, it is even easier. For us, we enjoyed walking and seeing the beautiful scenery, so it was not a problem for us even though we didn’t drive. Every day we walked to the supermarkets and bought fresh produce to cook. We had so much fun making different dishes and hot pot. When we asked for a whetstone, the host quickly gave us theirs, and the next day, they bought us a new one. They even gave us sake as a gift. On the day of check-out, the host drove us to the JR station and helped us store our luggage in the visitors’ centre. Next time when we come to Yufuin, we will definitely stay here again. It’s really great value for money.

What a blast I had here!!! I only stayed for one night and now I wish I had stayed longer. It was a Friday so Rio, the owner, organizes a night of games at the public gymnasium for teenagers (who although growing up already have the strength of super-powered samurais) and whoever else wants to participate. I haven't run and wake up with so many bruises since high school! It was really cool how everyone is quick to set the props for each game, we played 4 or 5 games in one hour!!!! It felt like a much longer time, everyone gave their best presence and participation all the time! It seems the other nights he takes everyone for a walk to see the stars, and Tuesdays there's also volleyball. Anyways, he is pretty proactive and creative , so I'm sure there's many variations and possibilities! The living room is very pretty, the sofas super comfortable and the view gorgeous! The bed was very hard :/ this was the only big issue for me. The onsen is so cozy, the water super smooth and instrumental music playing. Delicious! The conditioner smells great! I was a bit worried that they had too many rules, because when I contacted they informed about the need to leave the house everyday from 10 until 16. And that the eating time was very specific: 7:20 in the morning and 7 at night... So I was worried they would be too strict...but there's no need to join the food. I had breakfast and it felt like it would be at the communal dinning of beauxbatons, everyone sitting closeby with identical very beautifully presented meals that come in many quantity but small portions. It is not my jam, but for sure it is special! Some informations could be a bit more clear because they are a bit slow responding. For example they have a pick up time in front of the army at 6pm. I asked info for an amazing lady at the Art Center inside the station, Chika, and she called them. She ended up taking me herself and was the best company I could have found! She is an artist, we went to the supermarket and had great conversation! I recommend going to the art center to say hi to Chika! Lots of love, thank youuu Mountain Mamas!!!

The people working here are so nice! I was able to drop my luggage off early before check-in which was sooo appreciated. It’s in a quiet little neighborhood close to the train station. It seems like a lot of the attractions are in Kannawa though which was a 30 minute bus ride away. The rooms were straightforward- one bathroom in the room, not as modern but clean. They provide slippers for your room, and there are privacy curtains around the bed. There’s a kitchen downstairs available to use.

This is a great hotel! The front desk staff spoke fluent English, making check-in a breeze. The location is fantastic – just a two-minute walk to Don Quijote, and the beach is right across the road. The hotel is also very clean. Highly recommended!

Super friendly hostel with lovely dorms, very spacious pods and cute little onsen. Private onsen also available.Free parking was a great perk and staff super friendly

I originally booked this hotel for the convenience of going to Mount Aso, but I didn't realize that the volcano had been closed for some time. This hotel is located in a far outskirts, but the facilities are very good and the environment is beautiful. When we arrived, the owner was very enthusiastic and explained. We didn't understand Japanese, so he translated to us on the phone. The hot spring is in another room, and there were not many guests that night. Our family could enjoy one hot spring room, and everyone was very satisfied. The room is large, with one bed per person and complete facilities. The breakfast the next day was Western-style and very rich. The bakery owner who couldn't finish it packed it for us and took it away. No food was wasted. Very good service.  There is also an astronomical telescope on the grassland. Unfortunately, it was very cloudy that night, so there was no chance to see the stars. No wonder the hotel has ”Galaxy” as its name. I think you can see the Milky Way in the sky when the weather is good. I hope to have the opportunity to come back next time. Fortunately, Mount Aso suddenly opened again after checking out, and we actually saw the volcano!

Lovely authentic Japanese house in beautiful country side. The owner is a nice man who speaks good English and takes good care of the house. In addition to the shared bathroom, kitchen and living room, that there are 3 rooms with futon beds, separated by a thin paper wall. Each room can host 2 to 3 guests. If rooms are full, you can hear everything as if there was no separation. I could literally hear people whispering. The owner offered me to use a scooter for free during my 2 days stay, which is awesome. There are some nice hikes to do in the area. The hike along the river to the Inukai JR station 15km away was amazing (there are closer JR stations). You'll love this place if you are looking for an authentic experience in a quiet rural setting.

The feeling of home We did not book dinner and after doing research chose to eat at Golden Lake Breakfast was OK but also grateful to make the right choice not to be there for dinner Because the food is more Japanese if you want to eat traditional Japanese cuisine there may be a gap Between ancient Japanese style and new style hotel design chose this design sense hotel purely because I personally do not like to sleep tatami ground floor The room space is very large comfortable courtyard and bathroom are done enough privacy Overall feeling is very good will stay again next time Self-drive tour in my land so distance is not an issue The hotel also has a free shuttle service

This spacious accommodation is ideal for a family getaway with several members. It was tidy and cozy, making it a pleasant place to stay with my kids. The highlight was the garden outside and the large windows that let in the morning sun, creating a lovely atmosphere for breakfast while gazing outside. Unfortunately, the hot spring was out of order when we got there, but it appeared to be large enough for two people to enjoy. I was initially concerned that the size of the apartment would make it chilly upon arrival, but the heating system was effective, and the place warmed up quickly.

We stayed here as a couple and loved every moment. The room was clean, beautifully designed, and felt relaxing as soon as we walked in. After enjoying the private onsen bath made of wood and stone, we watched a movie on the projector while lying on the tatami, which felt so cozy and special. The amenities were carefully selected and felt high-quality, adding to the relaxing stay. You can tell the host cares about every detail. If you want authentic Japanese experience with your partner, this place is a perfect choice.