At The Station : Yufuin

Yufuin Station is a wooden terminal that also has a tourist information office and a small art gallery. A bit (just a little bit) of ENglish spoken there but you can ask for directions in English. There's a foot-bath somewhere but we didn't stop and try it. We were more excited about getting to our cottage and soak in a tub instead!

A deserted station in the evening. It was about 8.00pm when this photo were taken. We were out scrounging for food!

Yufuin Station doesn't have a ticket gate. As with a few other train stations in Japan, train staff would only stand on the platform when trains are arriving and departing to check for tickets. Train buffs can purchase platform tickets to check out the Yufuin no mori trains.

We had tickets reserved days earlier for our return trip to Hakata but as the day was so unconducive for sight-seeing - it being a rainy day and all, we decided to head to Hakata a few hours earlier. Zaini was checking out the time-table before getting our new tickets. No extra charge with JR Pass!

While waiting for the departure time of the Yufuin no mori, passengers had a ball of time taking photos on the platform, ourselves included.

I'll move on and post on a different city/island after this post. ^^

A Small Lake At The Edge Of Town

Lake Kinrinko is a natural landmark in Yufuin other than Mount Yufu. Lake Kinrinko means "Golden scale Lake" or "shining scales of fish in the setting sun". I believe kin = gold. Rin = scales (of carp?). Ko = lake. Right?

Legend has it that there's a dragon that causes hot spring water to gush out from the lake.

Visiting the lake in the early morning allowed us to see the lake covered with milky white morning mist, caused by the half-cold, half-warm water of the lake.

Visit it in the evening and one can expect the Lake living up to its "golden scale" name.

The floating torii at Tenso Shrine that I blogged about, earlier.

Now, whose out enjoying their morning bath at the warm lake? ^^ Their peaceful morning bath ritual was interrupted by the visitors soon after.

After spending about an hour enjoying a quiet stroll by the lake, we had to made our retreat when tour groups came to the lake in droves. Zaini back to our cottage and me, a quick run around the neighbourhood.

A Shrine By The Lake

Tenso Shrine, a small shrine by the Lake Kinrinko that we stumbled upon when Zaini and I were taking an early morning stroll by the lake.

It was pretty much deserted when we got there. Still early in the morning, I guess.

See those stickers plastered on the shrine's building? If you want to know more about it, head over to Rurousha's and read about religious graffiti.

I love this particular shot. Zaini waited patiently to capture just the right moment.

The temple's yard, with a blanket of lovely autumn leaves.

Rail Trip : Onboard The Yufuin no Mori

Ask us the reason we travelled all the way to Yufuin just to stay a night enjoying hot spring baths, and we'd tell you one of the reasons is to take a train!

This time, it's the Yufuin no mori limited express train.

Yufuin no mori means Forest of Yufuin. Quaint name. ^^

The trains run between Hakata to Yufuin, 2 round trips between Hakata & Yufuin and 1 round trip between Hakata & Oita. The journey from Hakata to Yufuin takes about 2 hours and 15 minutes. 2 hours' trip of amazing sights, I might add.

Lavish wood interior for this 4-car train. There's also a buffet car where you can buy food and souvenir items, a salon car and passenger cars.

A suave looking ticket inspector.

One thing about taking resort type trains and that's how the trip was made more fun by the staff onboard. The staff made annoucements when we are about to pass interesting sights such as a waterfall or the old train depot along the way, made rounds to sell souvenirs and food (can't push a food cart in this train, you see), encouraging passengers to take photos and being friendly and extra nice to all of us. Raimie even got a sticker from the train conductor. ^^

For those travelling in groups. This is nice, right? Train staff manning the buffet car will serve your order. You are welcome to be merry here!

The toilet! Very nice. Very clean.

Taking souvenir photos on the train with the staff was fun too! Kyushu Railways staff sure has spiffy looking uniforms.

That last photo was especially nice because it was taken on Raimie's birthday.

Places We Stay : Yufuin

For every trip to Japan, we try to slot in one onsen visit and indulge. A night at a ryokan may not come cheap, especially not for us who usually stay at business hotels to keep cost down; but hey! it's an experience. Just can't enjoy it too much, too often. ^^

Let's see :

2009 saw us visiting Nyuto Onsen and staying at Taenoyu Onsen. Lovely place. Very quiet though. Plenty of baths to choose from and they have private baths & mixed baths available. Now! Don't get too excited about the mixed bath. When we were there, the only other guests at the mixed bath was a pruny old man. Not exactly enticing to look at. Ahaks!

2010 had us visiting Bessho Onsen and we stayed at Uematsuya Ryokan. Bessho Onsen is awesome! There are so many interesting historical sites to visit here. If you like temples, holy trees and hot spring; this is a great place to visit.

2011 was Yufuin for us. A pretty modern hot-spring resort town, lined with cafes and boutiques.

Instead of staying in a room at a ryokan, when we decided to head to Yufuin last year we selected a cottage style accomodation instead. A very nice, modern cottage with two private baths (indoors and outdoors) for our own use at Yufuinbettei Itsuki.

A very understated entrance.

Raimie and Daddy enjoying the warmth from a table-top fireplace at the lobby while Mommy finish up check-in process.

Raimie choosing a couple of DVDs to watch.

The entrance to our cottage. The place has several cottages and we chose the Yamabuki in favour of its outdoor bath.

Too cold to sit outside!

A pantry at the entrance way. A microwave, a minibar and a thermopot. Perfect! Can't cook here though. But why on earth would I want to cook on my vacation??!

We were walked through all the facilities in the cottage by the staff. 

A very nice, modern loo. Automatic light switch upon entering, and automatic flushing too. And of course, heated toilet seat. Nice...

You bet I twiddled with all the buttons!

The indoor bath, with a view. The staff filled it up for us. The water temperature can be adjusted with the maximum at 40 degress.

The outdoor bath, perched on a small hill right beside our cottage. With fence and trees around the perimeter of our cottage, the bath is really private even though it's located outside. I absolutely love this bath!

Tried to have a nice "quality" couple time there, but Raimie kept interrupting us. Hmph!

Vanity area? Plenty of towels for our usage.

His & Hers yukata. No yukata for kids though.

Raimie enjoying a movie night. ^^

Nice, comfy bed. It was so comfortable, I overslept and only woke up at 7am! This is someone whose body clock usually made her wake up at 5.30am the latest!