My Yufuin Half-Day: A Tale of Two Experiences ✨

#holidayitinerary
I recently spent a half-day in Yufuin, drawn by its reputation as a "fairytale town." What I found, however, was a mix of unexpected beauty and a slightly disappointing reality. My visit ended up being a great, honest lesson in travel.

The Unexpected Highlight: Comico Art Museum

On a rainy day, I ducked into the Comico Art Museum and it became the highlight of my trip. Inside, I was mesmerized by Yayoi Kusama's iconic polka dots. Since photos weren't allowed, I had to save the memory with my eyes, which made the beauty feel so much more permanent. I also loved seeing Yoshitomo Nara's "Your Dog," which looked like a soft-focus painting with the streaks of rain on the window behind it. I sat there for a while, writing postcards to friends, feeling completely at peace.

The Fairytale I Didn't Find

After leaving the museum, I went to find the "legendary Miyazaki hut." To my surprise, the so-called "fairytale area" was very small. The wooden huts were all crowded with souvenir stalls, and it felt less like a magical village and more like a lively creative market. It definitely didn't live up to the "fairytale" filter I had in my mind.

Looking back, my time in Yufuin was like a lukewarm cup of tea. The museum was the delicious, refreshing aftertaste, while the town's commercialism was the unavoidable tea stain. If you're like me and prefer a quieter experience, I would recommend spending more time at the art museum and saving the rest of your day for other peaceful onsen towns in the area.

#yufuin #comicoartmuseum #travelguide #kyushu #japantravel

Post by Lauraaaa | Aug 15, 2025