Walking Along Yufumi-dori: A Journey into the Soul of a Hot Spring Town

🏡 What is "Yufumi-dori"? Yufumi-dori is the most iconic, bustling, and charming tourist street in Yufuin. Stretching through the Yunotsubo area, it serves as the main route for travelers walking from the station to Lake Kinrin. Along the way, you'll find handmade craft shops, dessert stores, curated lifestyle shops, cafes, and renowned eateries. The street also offers occasional glimpses of Mount Yufu, wooden architecture, and the unique relaxing atmosphere of a hot spring town. If Yufuin were a story, Yufumi-dori would be the opening chapter: bright, rich, friendly, and full of surprises. The moment you step onto it, you feel your travel fatigue melt away, ready to be healed. ⸻ 🛍️ What makes this street worth exploring? Yufumi-dori is home to many unique shops and souvenir brands: • Handmade wooden crafts, dolls, and small accessories • Local desserts and bakeries • Kyushu specialties like mentaiko, ramen, senbei, and wagashi • Beauty products and hot spring-inspired skincare items • Artsy shops, illustrator collaborations, and lifestyle goods Though many shops are small, they are thoughtfully designed and full of character, turning shopping into a delightful treasure hunt. Every few steps, something will catch your eye, a scent will captivate you, or a cute item will steal your heart. Before you know it, your hands will be full of shopping bags. ⸻ 🍰 What’s good to eat? Yufumi-dori is a paradise for dessert lovers: • Milch half-baked cheesecake, pudding, and ice cream • Snoopy Chaya desserts and light meals • B-speak cake rolls (queues may form depending on the time) • Freshly baked senbei, fried snacks, croissants, and cream puffs • Various local baked goods and handmade desserts You can enjoy these treats while strolling, savoring the scenery and the sweetness. The desserts here are not only photogenic but also rich and delicate in flavor, often bringing a smile to travelers' faces with the first bite. ⸻ ☕ Cafes and Views The street is dotted with cafes, each with its own unique style: • Traditional wooden Japanese design • Fresh Nordic-inspired decor • Hot spring inns with attached cafe spaces • Hybrid shops selling both coffee and lifestyle goods When you’re tired, pick any cafe to sit down, enjoy a coffee and some snacks, watch the passersby, and take in the view of Mount Yufu. In that moment, you’ll truly understand the meaning of "slow living." ⸻ 🌿 Walking along Yufumi-dori is a gentle stroll that soothes the soul The first time I walked along Yufumi-dori, I hadn’t done much research. I only knew it was famous and worth visiting. But the moment I stepped onto the street, I understood that its fame wasn’t exaggerated—it was a natural charm. The wooden buildings and understated shop signs exude a refined simplicity, far from the crowded feel of typical tourist districts. Instead, it feels like a walking path designed for travelers, with every shop and corner inviting you to "take your time and enjoy." The scents along the street constantly change: One moment, it’s the sweet aroma of milk cheesecake; the next, the savory scent of freshly grilled senbei; and then, the rich fragrance of roasted coffee. I walked and ate my way through pudding, ice cream, senbei, and cake rolls, as if completing a dessert bingo. Every bite reflected the artisans’ dedication to creating flavors that are just right—not overly fancy or greasy, but full of presence. At the same time, the shops radiate a gentle, healing energy. The wooden cat carvings, handmade trinkets, and Japanese-style illustrated goods in the small craft stores aren’t particularly flashy, but they evoke a strong desire to "take them home and make them part of your life." The shopkeepers are relaxed and friendly. Whether you buy something or not doesn’t matter; what matters is that your presence is acknowledged, and your pace is allowed to slow down. My favorite moment was catching a glimpse of Mount Yufu in the distance. The sunlight painted the mountains in warm hues, and the breeze carried the scent of grass and trees. Even though I was on a tourist street, I felt no pressure. Walking here didn’t feel like sightseeing—it felt like a vacation, like a rejuvenation for the soul. Perhaps that’s what travel is all about. It’s not about how grand a destination is, but whether it can help you rediscover the joy of life. Yufumi-dori achieves this. It seamlessly weaves all the desires of travel—eating, shopping, sightseeing, photographing, and relaxing—into your journey in an unpretentious and harmonious way. By the time I reached the end of the street, my feet were a little sore, my hands were full of shopping bags, but my heart felt inexplicably light. It’s not the kind of place you visit just to "check in" and prove you’ve been there. It’s the kind of place you’ll miss after your trip and want to walk through again. Not because it’s particularly great for shopping or eating, but because it gives you a comfortable, free, and undisturbed moment of happiness. 🧭 Tips: • Mornings to early afternoons are busier; it’s best to start early • B-speak may have queues on weekends/peak seasons • Many shops offer takeaway packaging, perfect for eating while walking • Most souvenirs are room-temperature or chilled desserts, offering flexible options