Yufuin

Access:

2 hours by limited express train or 2 hours & 20 min by high-way bus from Hakata (Fukuoka)

It is a main street lined with many small shops, cafes and museums.

Kinrinko Lake is one of the atractions of Yufuin located at the end of the main street. There is a hot-spring source which wells up at the bottom of the lake. On a cold early morning, particularly from autumn to winter, the lake is shrouded in morning mist, which creates a haunting atmosphere.
Tenso Shrine is a small shrine located by Kinrinko Lake.

Surrounded by most astonishing nature of Yufuin this small temple overlooks Mount. Yufu and is only a five-minute walk away from Lake Kinrinko. This Buddhist temple is treasured by the local people of Yufuin. Given its huge gate and a thatched roof, it looks impressive and reminds you of its long history.

The great cedar tree of this shrine was designated as a national important cultural asset in 1934. It measures 13.5m around the base, is 35m high and more than 1,000 years old. The tree has a cavity of 5m² (3 tatami mat!). On the New Year's Eve of 1897, the cavity caught fire and was ablaze for 2 years 2 months and 2 days. People claim to have seen smoke gashing out from tree tops 30 metres up in the sky. Everybody thought the tree would be destroyed by the fire. Luckily, it did not die. On the contrary, the tree gained power after the incident. It is located about 25 min. on foot from Yufuin station.