1
Omusubi Cafe TABIMUSUBI

Grainy and shiny. Enjoy rice balls with rice cooked in a hagama.

A café where onigiri (rice balls) are the star of the show. The rice is made from Oita rice and cooked daily in the restaurant's own hagama. The rice cooked in the hagama has a nice graininess and luster. The rice is fluffy and melts in your mouth.
There are about 18 types of onigiri available, ranging from simple "salt" and "ume" rice balls to more filling items such as "chicken tempura" and "takana mentaiko mayo" rice balls. If you want to enjoy a solid meal, the "Omusubi and Chicken Tempura Plate" is recommended. With a choice of two types of rice balls and miso soup included, this plate is also appreciated for its good nutritional balance.

An oasis in front of Yufuin Station, easy to stop by before or after taking the train

Conveniently located right in front of Yufuin Station, many people stop by before or after taking the train, making it a popular destination for tourists. It is also very popular among foreign tourists, as they can casually enjoy Japanese food culture in the form of onigiri.
The interior of the restaurant is a warm space with a wooden lattice on the ceiling. There are counter seats, table seats, and terrace seats, making it an attractive place for everyone from single customers to customers with children. The same menu can be enjoyed all day long, and takeout is also available, making it easy to visit at any time.

Omusubi Cafe TABIMUSUBI

• 6-6 Kawakita, Yufuin-cho, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture MAP
• A short walk from JR Yufuin Station
• 8:00-17:00
• Closed on weekends and holidays
• 0977-84-5528
• None

2
Yufu-Mabushi Shin Kinrin-ko Honten

Yubu mabushi" offers three different tastes and delicacies.

The owner, who honed his skills in Japanese cuisine at "Sanso Murata," one of Yufuin's three best inns, opened the restaurant to "let people enjoy meals unique to this area. The specialty is the three types of Yubu mabushi, which are made with Bungo beef, jidori chicken, and eel.
Each Yubu-mabushi is served one portion at a time after ordering, on a bed of rice cooked in an earthenware pot and covered with ingredients grilled over a charcoal fire. There are three ways to taste it. First, it is served as is, then with condiments such as sansho (Japanese pepper), wasabi (Japanese horseradish), and spicy miso (spicy miso paste), and finally with bonito-based dashi (soup stock).

Once you have decided on a date, early reservations are recommended.

The restaurant opened in 2010 near Lake Kinrin, the symbol of Yufuin. The restaurant has not changed since its opening, and today it continues to convey the richness of Yufuin's food by using mainly local products. The rice produced in Yufuin, delivered from contracted farmers, is filled with the flavor of the ingredients and renews its deliciousness with each bite. Appetizers such as sesame tofu and egg omelet, which are made with carefully selected ingredients, are also delicate and tender.

A line of customers forms even before the restaurant opens, and the restaurant is often fully booked soon after opening. The restaurant is so popular that it has become one of the travel destinations for foreign tourists visiting on vacation.

Yufu Mabushi Shin Kinrin-ko Honten

• 1492-1 Kawakami, Yufuin-cho, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture MAP
• Approx. 20 min. walk from JR Yufuin Station
• 10:00-18:30 (L.O.17:30)
• Closed on weekends and holidays
• 0977-85-7880
• None
• Reservations accepted by phone from 2 months prior to the date of visit

3
Yufuin Sweet Tea House

Enjoy Oita's local delicacies at a casual set meal!

You can enjoy Oita's local cuisine in a relaxing atmosphere with a Japanese flair. Among the various set menus, the "Furusato Set Meal" is recommended if you want to taste Oita's specialties all at once. The main dish is "Toriten," which is crispy on the outside and moist on the inside, and you can also enjoy "Dango Jiru," which contains dango made by kneading wheat flour and stretching it into flat noodles, as well as "Yaseuma," a sweet dango covered with soybean flour and sugar. The experience is nostalgic for locals and fresh for those outside of the prefecture. The shop is not flashy, but its soothing and gentle taste is favored by people of all ages.

Spend a quiet time in a beautiful 130-year-old house.

The restaurant is housed in a 130-year-old private house that was relocated from Toyama Prefecture and renovated. It is a magnificent building with an eye-catching gabled roof. The restaurant is surprisingly spacious, with tatami rooms, tables, and semi-private rooms. The beauty of a good old Japanese house can be felt everywhere, even in the sunken hearth, porch, and window frames. Taking off your shoes and taking your time to sit down and relax will help you recover from the fatigue of your trip.

In addition to set menus, the restaurant also offers zenzai, a Japanese-style parfait made with freshly pounded rice cake that is perfect for an after-dinner dessert. On a fine day, it is also an enjoyable way to relax and spend time on the porch while taking in the view outside.

Yufuin Sweet Tea House

• 113-12 Kawanami, Yufuin-cho, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture MAP
• Approximately an 8-minute walk from JR Yufuin Station
• 10:00-17:00 (L.O.16:30)
• Wednesday
• 0977-85-8794
• Free of charge

4
Koshiki Teuchi-Soba Izumi

Fragrant, carefully ground buckwheat noodles made with a stone mortar.

The restaurant prides itself on its aromatic, juwari soba (buckwheat noodles), made by carefully peeling brown buckwheat and grinding only the amount used that day on a stone mortar. The restaurant uses carefully selected high-quality buckwheat seeds, mainly from Aizu and Ibaraki prefectures, and groundwater filtered with bincho charcoal. The freshly made soba noodles are impressive for their original flavor, smoothness and supple texture that is hard to believe that they are made from juwari buckwheat.
Among the various menu items, the "Kamo Seiro" is a persistent favorite. The slightly sweet sauce based on duck and chicken broth enhances the deliciousness of the soba.

The location right in front of Lake Kinrin is also a treat!

In addition to the delicious soba noodles, another point of pride is the restaurant's location. The restaurant is right in front of Lake Kinrin, a landmark of Yufuin. From the terrace seats on the wooden deck, you can enjoy the lakeside scenery spreading out before your eyes. The ever-changing expression of the lake is simply beautiful. After dinner, why not relax and enjoy the view while savoring a "soba gaki zenzai" (buckwheat-flavored sweet) or other sweet treats?

The "Koshiki Teuchi-Soba Izumi" has produced many soba craftsmen who are active in Oita Prefecture. It is a must-visit restaurant when you visit Kinrin-ko.

Soba Izumi

• 1599-1 Yufuin-cho, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture MAP
• Approx. 20 min. walk from JR Yufuin Station
• 11:00-15:00L.O.
• Thursdays
• 0977-85-2283
• Free of charge

5
Kunugi no Oka

Authentic Neapolitan pizza baked in a sawtooth oak wood-fired oven

Many people from inside and outside of the prefecture visit this pizzeria to enjoy the taste of Neapolitan pizza baked in a wood-fired sawtooth oven. The chunky dough is made from a blend of Neapolitan and domestic wheat. The dough is baked quickly at a high temperature of approximately 400 degrees Celsius, resulting in a crispy surface and a chewy interior. The "Half & Half," which allows you to enjoy two popular flavors, "Margherita Bufala" (buffalo mozzarella) and "Quattro Formaggi," is a great way to get the best of both worlds. Despite its large size, the lightness of the Neapolitan pizza will keep you coming back for one or two slices.

A panoramic view of the Yufuin basin from the top of the hill

The pasta menu using local seasonal vegetables and homemade noodles is also popular. A la carte meat dishes are also available, so if you visit with several people, it is a good idea to share a combination of pizza and meat dishes.

Located on a hill in the suburbs of Yufuin, the restaurant overlooks the Yufuin basin. The scenery changes with the seasons: fresh greenery in spring and summer, autumn leaves in fall, and snowy landscapes in winter. Lunch can be enjoyed in a rich natural environment that is a world away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Why not take a short drive to visit?

ICHI ICHI NO OKA

• 893-1 Kawakita, Yufuin-cho, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture MAP
• Approximately 6 minutes from JR Yufuin Station by car
• 11:00~L.O.14:30, 17:30~L.O.20:00
• Wednesday, 1/1 to 1/3
• 0977-85-4007
• Free of charge

6
Nenrin

Hanakagago bento", a lovely bento box that will make you feel good.

The concept is "easygoing food and fun drinks. The restaurant offers simple and gently seasoned Japanese cuisine using mainly local ingredients. Lunch is mainly set menus. The "Hanakago bento (flower basket bento)," which is also known for its gorgeous appearance, features a variety of side dishes in a basket, including sashimi, simmered dishes, tempura, roast beef, steamed egg custard, and more. Each dish is carefully prepared and beautifully arranged, and its lovely appearance will lift your spirits the moment it is served. This dish is recommended for those who want to enjoy a variety of tastes little by little.

A reliable eatery that can be used in a wide range of situations

The azekura-zukuri building has a high ceiling and is very spacious. Oguni cedar, Kyushu's most famous brand of wood that is over 100 years old, is used to support the pillars in four locations in the restaurant. Plants are placed everywhere, creating a warm atmosphere as if you are in nature. Various types of seating are available, including table seating, counter seating, and tatami rooms.

At night, it becomes a Japanese-style izakaya where you can enjoy drinks along with the a la carte menu. The same set meal menu as at lunch can also be ordered, making it a reliable choice for any occasion, whether you want a drink or are just hungry.

Nenrin

• 3056-13 Kawakami, Yufuin-cho, Yufu City, Oita Prefecture MAP
• Approximately a 3-minute walk from JR Yufuin Station
• 11:00-14:30L.O., 17:00-20:30L.O.
• Thursday, December 31, January 1
• 0977-84-5313
• Free of charge
• Hanakago bento" is subject to price change.

7
Kikusuke

Curry udon for adults with a refreshingly spicy and addictive flavor of sansho (Japanese pepper)

Curry udon noodles made with homemade noodles using Kyushu-grown wheat in a bonito broth are available in two varieties: "red" with a tangy sansho (Japanese pepper) flavor and "white" with the rich, mellow flavor of cashew nuts.
The "Seasonal Vegetable Curry Udon (Red)" is a dish in which sansho (Japanese pepper) is added to the roux after ordering, bringing out a fresh aroma and spiciness. It is not only spicy, but also has a deep flavor with a strong taste of dashi broth. After finishing the noodles, add the rice and fried garlic chips that come as part of the service to make a risotto. You can enjoy all the deliciousness of Sansho Curry.

Worth the short trip to try!

To allow customers with children to enjoy the curry, "Curry Udon for Children" and "Kake Udon for Children" are also available. In addition, the restaurant offers sweet dishes such as "anmitsu" and "cream anmitsu," which are perfect for after dinner, making those with a sweet tooth happy.

The restaurant is located in the Torigoe area on high ground to the north of the center of Yufuin. It is known as a quiet area lined with vacation homes, and is popular for its relaxed atmosphere. Although there is often a long line of people waiting in line right after opening, it is well worth the wait.

Kikusuke

• 1269-36 Kawakami, Yufuin-cho, Yufu, Oita 879-5102 MAP
• About 8 minutes from JR Yufuin station by car
• 11:00-15:00L.O.
• Wednesdays, every other Tuesday
• 0977-85-5262
• Free of charge