Mount Yufu

由布岳

The “Bungo Fuji” that rises behind Yufuin. This twin-peaked volcano is visible from almost every corner of the town. The round trip takes about 3 to 4 hours, and you can also watch the sea of clouds from Sagiridai.

Mount Yufu is an active volcano that rises on the north side of the Yufuin Basin. It stands 1,583 meters high, with a conical shape. Its summit is split into two peaks, east and west. Because of its beautiful shape, it is called the “Bungo Fuji,” and it is a symbol of Yufuin. It forms the backdrop of views from the station, Yunotsubo Street, and Kinrin Lake. It is also one of the most popular hiking destinations in Oita Prefecture.

Hiking: the main route starts at the front trailhead on Prefectural Road 11, Yamanami Highway, between Yufuin and Beppu. There is a parking lot and a bus stop called Yufu Trailhead. The route first crosses an open grassland called Aino-goe, then enters the forest and climbs a zigzag trail. In about 2 hours, you reach the saddle between the two peaks, called Uma no Se (“horse's back”). The east peak, at 1,580 meters, is fairly easy to reach. The west peak, at 1,583 meters and the highest point, requires a section of rocky terrain with chains. Beginners should climb only the east peak. From the summit, you can see the Yufuin Basin, Beppu Bay, the Kujū mountains, and Aso in the distance. The round trip takes about 4 to 5 hours, and it is suitable for ordinary visitors with a reasonable level of fitness. The trail is popular on spring and autumn weekends.

For visitors who do not hike, the Sagiridai observation deck is halfway up the mountain on Prefectural Road 11, at about 680 meters above sea level. It has a parking lot and a small shop. This is the best spot for looking down over the Yufuin Basin, and in winter mornings the basin is most spectacular when it is filled with a sea of fog. Buses from Yufuin Station to Beppu sometimes pass Sagiridai on the Kamenoi Bus route via Yamanami Highway. At the foot of the mountain are Yunohira Onsen and Shirashima Highland Park, which has a wooden roller coaster.

Note: there are no shops at the trailhead, so bring your own water and food. The weather on the mountain changes quickly, so bring a windbreaker. In winter (December to March), the snow and ice require crampons. Do not attempt the west peak's rock section in rain. Bus service at the trailhead is infrequent, so check the return times in advance.

Mount Yufu

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