Yufuin: Food street, Yufuin Floral Village, Kinrin lake, Owl forest is the BONUS

Yufuin Food street

Yufuincho Kawakami, Yufu, Oita , Japan

 After departing Beppu we head to the tourist trap Yufuin where we will meander the streets in seek of food. 

First pit stop is Milch. Known for their puddings (original and sweet potato) and hot cheese cake. The cheese cake is warm and soft. Hubs is so pleased with this and the pudding that he keep saying its so delicious. 

Next up is fried karaage (chicken pieces) at kichigo/ Nakathu fried chicken. This is well marinated and very crispy. 

We also spied the orange juice squeezed within the orange and we had to try one each. Its so sweet. 

Then we went on to Tenma no Kinsyou Croquette. There is so many flavours to choose from. Crab meat/ vegetable and beef are just some of the flavours to choose. Soft on the inside and crispy on the outside. 

On our return, we wanted to purchase B-speak swiss roll cake but was told it is fully sold out for the day. As we are still in the vicinity, we preorder one roll and it did not disappoint even when we ate it a day and half later. 

 If you are short of time, the must try items are B-speak swiss rolls cakes and Milch. 

Yufuin Floral Village

1503-3 Yufuincho Kawakami, Yufu, Oita 879-5102, Japan

Nearby is the Yufin Floral Village which has plenty of little animals in the little village. They have goats, ducks, rabbits and chinchillas. We were not very impressed until we saw the owl forest. 

Admission fees applies but this adds a Wow factor to the visit. Especially if you love animals. 

First time i petted owls. Their feathers so so fluffy and soft to touch. Sometimes, they make funny expressions too. We spend a good hour inside before we depart. 

The visit to Yufuin ended with a walk around Kinrin lake. 

Kinrin lake

1561-1 Yufuincho Kawakami, Yufu, Oita 879-5102, Japan

Known as kinrin lake because of the golden scale fish that jumps out of the lake creating a sparkling lake in the misty morning. DId not see the morning or evening miss myself. 

Apparently visitors also come to see the shrine in the middle of the lake. It was only after i returned that i discovered this little tip and i can't find any pictures with the little toji gate except for one. So please take a picture of the lake with the shrine yah.

Beppu - the little mermaid for the bread and butter meals

12-13 Ekimaecho, Beppu, Oita 874-0935, Japan 

This is a bakery place with 3 small tables on the side. 

They also serve coffee which can be ordered after you selected the meals.

Most importantly this is near to our hotel and located within the beppu main station. It also opens real early at 7 am. 

Beppu - Umi-Jigoku (海地獄 Sea Hell) and Yukemuri observatory 湯けむり展望台

Umi-Jigoku (海地獄 Sea Hell)

559-1 Kannawa, Beppu, Oita 874-0000, Japan

I had great plans for Beppu. There are jigoku aplenty here. And i had shortlist at least 5 of them to visit.  But i experience what you call 水土不服 and ended up throwing up endlessly throughout the day. I ended up only visiting Umi-jigoku and went back to the hotel to rest up for the day. 

Famous with hot spring with bright blue color due to the large amount of iron sulfate. 

The cafe beside the hot spring serves onsen cooked hard boiled eggs. 

You can also do a foot soak here as well. 

 At the main entrance there is shop selling mini mantou which is worth a try. Its small and cute and tasty.

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Yukemuri observatory 湯けむり展望台

Japan, 〒874-0042 Oita, Beppu, 鉄輪東８組

Nestled in a residential area, its a view of the Beppu with all the little chimney smoke of the city. 

Did a quick pit stop here. The observatory was en-route to Yufuin so its not much of a detour to come here. It was quiet and not crowded but there were only limited parking lots here. 

The smoking chimneys aren't very obvious at this time. 

Beppu: 亀の井ホテル 別府 Beppu Kamenoi Hotel - and so the first onsen starts here

5-17 Chuomachi, Beppu, Oita 874-0936, Japan 

The best part of this hotel is its close proximity to Beppu station. Merely a 3 mins walk but with the luggages its still pose a bit of challenge. I remembered us pulling our luggages from beppu station to hotel at 10.30 pm. So glad we made it to the Beppu and the hotel.  

The lobby is big and grand. Most importantly, it houses a bath which has both outdoor and indoor with sauna. Great place is soak out the tiredness from the day's activities.

It has restaurants in-house. And where the bath is there is electric massage chairs and comic library. Also a floor selling interesting japanese snacks. Great for kids and adults alike. 

I booked a 3 room but i think i got a family room with 4 beds. So its very spacious. 

Aburaya Kumahachi Tei

We had a meal for a night at their japanese restaurant within the hotel. 

The food is quite decent and i think my family enjoyed the meal while i had chawamushi with rice 😢.