Hotels in 由布市

Gekkoju Yufuin is a traditional ryokan in 由布市, Oita Prefecture, positioned as a quieter independent alternative to KAI Yufuin's Hoshino-chain consistency. It suits travelers after a structured onsen retreat — kaiseki dining, private bathing, attentive service — rather than business infrastructure. Book outside Golden Week and autumn foliage season for easier availability.

Hanaya Ryokan sits in Bessho Onsen, one of Nagano Prefecture's oldest hot spring towns, and delivers the traditional ryokan package — onsen baths, kaiseki dining, and Taisho-era architecture — at what is likely a more accessible price than comparable properties in Hakone or Izu. Book directly rather than via OTA for better room flexibility. An easy add-on to a Tokyo or Nagano Shinkansen itinerary.

Hanzuiryo (半水盧) is a traditional ryokan in Unzen-shi, Nagasaki Prefecture, suited to travellers who want a genuine onsen retreat in one of Kyushu's oldest volcanic resort areas. Best visited in autumn for the highland foliage and quieter baths. Not a business hotel, but a strong reset base after Nagasaki or Fukuoka meetings.

Hotel Iya Onsen is a cliff-perched ryokan in the remote Iya Valley of Tokushima Prefecture — easier to book than most onsen properties of this calibre. Plan at least two nights to justify the journey. Upgrade to a suite with a private rotenburo if available; the shared baths are excellent, but a private open-air bath on the cliffside changes the experience entirely.

KAI Aso is Hoshino Resorts' accessible entry into Kyushu ryokan culture, set in the highland volcanic terrain of Kokonoe-machi, Oita. It suits anniversary trips and first-time ryokan guests who want a structured check-in to check-out experience — onsen, kaiseki, local craft — without the long lead times of Japan's most sought-after independent inns. Booking is straightforward, and the format delivers a clear special-occasion arc.

KAI Yufuin is the most straightforward entry point into Yufuin's ryokan scene, with reliable service and online booking through Hoshino Resorts. The suite-level rooms with private outdoor baths are the clear upgrade target for returning guests. Standard rooms are decent, but the valley setting and onsen access are best experienced from a room with its own open-air bath.