Experience the ultimate in Japanese hospitality at Yufunogo Saigakukan (柚富の郷 彩岳館), one of the best ryokans in Yufuin. Perfectly situated to offer breathtaking panoramic views of the twin-peaked Mt. Yufu, Saigakukan blends traditional elegance with modern comfort following its 2022 renovation. From soaking in drinkable onsen water and relaxing in private mountain-view baths to donning traditional yukata for a classic stay, discover the unique charms that make Saigakukan one of Yufuin’s most reasonably priced yet luxurious gems.
As we chose to visit Yufuin for its resort-style atmosphere, we decided to go a bit more luxurious and spend more than our usual accommodation budget during our 2017 visit to this beautiful town.
Yufunogo Saigakukan was chosen because we appreciated the attention staff paid to our dietary requirements during our communication with the hotel. The number of details that they confirmed with us showed us that they really care about the needs of vegetarians and vegans!
Important: While previously known for its extensive vegetarian kaiseki, please verify the latest dietary accommodation policies directly with the ryokan.
An Unusual But Pleasant Check-In Experience at Saigakukan
As soon as we stepped inside, we were nicely surprised by the quirky interior that skillfully combines Western art with the simplicity of Japanese architecture!
After the renovation in 2022, Saigakukan’s entrance resembles that of a luxurious Western-style hotel!
In addition, on one side of the dining area, there is a spectacular backdrop of Mt. Yufu that left us begging the hotel staff for photos (´▽｀*).
Unlike most hotels, the check-in process wasn’t completed at the reception counter. It was done while we enjoyed our complimentary matcha green tea and Japanese sweets in the dining area (*’▽’).
As guests arrived at different times in the afternoon, we enjoyed the hospitality of five staff members, who patiently explained the things we needed to be aware of during our stay. The staff also responded kindly to our endless requests for more photos before they guided us to our room!
There are several room types to choose from. Each has different views, characteristics, and facilities, but all are quite spacious.
How Your Room Might Look Like When You Stay at Saigakukan
There are quite a few types of rooms at Saigakukan that don’t come with a bathroom, except for a toilet. Our room is one of them. But there are plenty of private bath facilities you can book to enjoy (as well as the public bath).
Many people who come to stay plan to use all the bathing facilities during their stay. And whether it is indoor or outdoor, public or private, it will feel like you are having a bath in the deep mountainside when all their bathing facilities overlook Mt. Yufu!
You can find out more about different guest rooms at Saigakukan HERE.
If you are staying in one of the Japanese-style guestrooms, the staff will lay out your futon bed while you enjoy a delicious dinner.
We were really happy to see the futon beds on the tatami mats when we returned from dinner, the same experience we had seen in Japanese dramas and anime (≧▽≦).
The beds were quite comfy. Not as hard as one may imagine. However, that is just our opinion. If you are used to a soft mattress, you may find it not as soft as you would like… (but isn’t a futon bed the most critical part of a ryokan experience??).
Saigakukan’s Onsen Facilities
The photo below is one of the private onsen baths at Saigakukan. In the evening, though you won’t be able to see Mt. Yufu’s glory clearly, the lighting around the bathtub creates a mysterious yet romantic atmosphere.
Saigakukan’s Private Onsen Tubs
There are currently 5 private baths for Saigakukan’s guests to enjoy (3 larger ones suitable for families and 2 smaller ones like the one in the photo). All private baths are equipped with a shower area, where you will need to clean yourself before you dive into the onsen tub.
If you stay overnight at Saigakukan, you can check if the private baths are vacant on your room’s TV screen.
Note that if the ryokan has many guests during your visit, only one room can be reserved for a 60-minute private bathing session upon check-in.
Tip: If you are told to make a reservation for Saigakukan’s private baths when you check in, you can check with the reception for any unreserved timeslots after all guests are checked in.
Public Bathing Facilities
If you are comfortable bathing with strangers, you can enjoy the spacious public bath at Saigakukan. Both indoor and outdoor public baths are the size of a swimming pool! If other people aren’t around, you can even float around a bit in the onsen. But be really careful, though. It is not a swimming pool, after all (´▽｀*).
Even if you accidentally drink some onsen water, that is fine too! The onsen water at Saigakukan has been found safe to drink (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ. They even have an onsen fountain for their guests to drink from!
You can check out all the onsen facilities at Saigakkan HERE on their official English website.
Saigakukan’s Resting Area
Just outside the private and public baths is a resting area where people can enjoy the afterglow of their onsen experience.
There is a vending machine selling cold milk for the truly traditional Japanese experience (drinking cold milk is what most Japanese do after an onsen session). Or if you just want to cool down your body after a warm bath.
Of course, the area isn’t limited to people who have just finished bathing. You are more than welcome to visit the area to appreciate the Japanese garden in front of it and the irori (囲炉裏), which is a traditional Japanese sunken hearth. It is also a great space to just chill out with your family and/or friends (^^)/.
Yukata at Saigakukan
Yukata (casual Kimono) is provided to all Saigakukan’s guests staying overnight. We highly recommend giving it a go, as your experience at an onsen ryokan wouldn’t be complete without it!
If you have never worn one, HERE is a link you can refer to (‘ω’)ノ.
Our Vegen Kaiseki Ryōri at Saigakukan
Whilst the plan we originally chose included two non-vegan meals, Saigakukan was able to replace the entire kaiseki ryōri menu with plant-based dishes. The number of dishes that we got was still the same as the original plan, which is so generous (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
As the space in the dining area is limited, you will be given a few time slots to choose from when you check in for dinner. We went for the second time slot because we thought there would be fewer people using the onsen facilities in the early evening, which was the case.
Though we forgot that one of the dishes the other guests would be having was barbecue. Although it was only one dish, we still smelt like barbequed meat afterwards… But that is okay. The great thing about staying at an onsen hotel is that whenever you feel like it, it is there for you to indulge in (*’▽’).
The breakfast at Saigakukan is also a traditional Japanese-style breakfast. We compared it with the food that other people were having and happily concluded that we loved the dishes in front of us more!
How to Get to Saigakukan
Saigakukan is a 5-minute drive from JR Yufuin Station (you can reach JR Yufuin Station by the sightseeing train Yufuin no Mori, or by bus).
If you are like us and don’t want to catch a taxi, call the hotel from JR Yufuin Station as soon as you arrive. The hotel’s van will pick you up in 5 to 10 minutes. Staff at the hotel speak English, so you shouldn’t have any communication problems.
A public payphone is located just outside the ticket gate, as I recall. If you can’t find it, you can always check with the station staff.
You will be able to recognise which car was sent by Saigakukan because the hotel name, “彩岳館,” is printed on the side of the car. You can check out what it might look like HERE on their official website.
When you check in, you will be asked when you want to check out the next morning. This is for the ryokan to arrange to take you back to JR Yufuin Station.
Important: Their fetching service is only available between 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm from the station to the hotel and between 8:30 am and 11 am to take you back to the station
Explore the Stunning Onsen Town, Yufuin
Nestled in a verdant river basin at the foot of the twin-peaked Mount Yufu, the charming town of Yufuin is one of Kyushu’s most beloved hot spring retreats. Unlike the bustling geysers of neighboring Beppu, Yufuin offers a tranquil, “boutique” onsen experience characterized by misty morning views of Lake Kinrinko, and the whimsical, storybook-inspired Yufuin Floral Village.
HERE is our guide for you to stroll around this relaxing and beautiful town (=ﾟωﾟ)ﾉ.
