Product Code Database
Yufuin-chō was a town located in Ōita District, Ōita Prefecture, Japan. Yufuin is now a district () within the city of Yufu. Its elevation is approximately 400 meters above ground.
As of 2003, the town had an estimated population of 11,342 and density of 88.77 persons per km2. The total area was 127.77 km2.
On October 1, 2005, Yufuin, along with the towns of Hasama and Shonai (all from Ōita District), was merged to create the city of Yufu. This controversial decision resulted in the recall of the mayor and a snap election in which he regained office.
Located in a green valley beneath the spectacular Mount Yufu (由布岳, Yufudake), a short walk from the town centre is a mix of , housing and upmarket ryokan, with a few temples. Mount Yufu, or Yufu-dake, can be hiked in about 90 minutes. A common evening sound is the rhythmic ringing of temple bells. Although still connected to its rural roots, Yufuin is a tourist town and a popular destination for tour bus tours. There is the picturesque Lake Kinrin and rivers flow down and across the valley. Some hotels have outdoor baths called rotenburo with a view of Mount Yufu.
Yufuin Floral Village (湯布院フローラルヴィレッジ) is another well-known tourist attraction in Yufuin. It features many small houses (acting as Gift shop) modeled after the Cotswolds region of England.
With a suspension in Covid-19-related travel restrictions and the reintroduction of flights connecting Incheon International Airport and Oita Airport in 2024 for the first time in five years, Yufuin has seen a large increase in tourism from South Korea. In December, 2023, 55,000 Korean tourists stayed overnight in Yufuin, more than four times higher than pre-COVID numbers.
|
|
