Yufuin - Rural yet trendy !

A 2 half hour Limited Express Train to Yufuin - Rural yet trendy. Another fantastic getaway destination we saw on korean blogs - absolutely charming though was less well-known compared to Beppu Onsen, Yufuin was enchanting in its rights. After checking in the hotel, We walked along the street filled with little restaurants, cafes and craft shops. Almost every little souvenir shops amused me with its beautiful decors and cute packaging and we spent a lot of time taking photos with Mount Yufu at the background. One of my favourites is Yufuin Floral Village and there you would find mini-farm, owl forest zoo cat cafe and many shops , among others, allowing us to take photos in every corner and every few seconds. There were art museums , boutiques - suitable for those who appreciate art or wanted to learn about a new culture. There were many rice paddies and farm houses too. Lake Kinrinko was an iconic sight see, with small shops and cafes, and a small shrine around it. The lake had clear waters , filled with koi fishes, surrounded by lush greenery and a beautiful torii gate right in the water. It was absolutely stunning. Soon, the night falls and we decided to route back, following the small canal that ran from the lake, back to our hotel. The walk was a lttle longer but it was scenic and beautiful. The traditional Japanese hotel that we stayed had a private onsen which we booked for a good 50 mins. It had a large open-air bath and an indoor bath. We were able to use both. I love bath especially so , knowing that the hot springs renowned for their beneficial effects. The next day, we got up early to Lake Kinrinko again as we wanted to soak in the breathtaking scenery which was very therapeutic for us, before taking a train back to Hakata.