Yufuin is one of Kyushu’s most charming hot spring towns, located at the base of the majestic Mount Yufu in Oita Prefecture. While it is famous for its onsens and art museums, for families traveling with children, the real highlight is Yunotsubo Kaido (Yunotsubo Street).
This bustling walking street is a paradise for “Tabearuki”—the Japanese concept of walking and eating (or rather, buying food at a stall and eating it nearby). For parents, it offers a relaxed atmosphere where you don’t have to worry about keeping kids seated in a quiet restaurant. For kids, it is a sensory wonderland of sweet treats, character-themed shops, and savory snacks.
If you are planning a trip to this region, Yufuin is a must-visit stop. To understand how this fits into your broader travel plans, we highly recommend starting with our comprehensive pillar guide: The Ultimate Guide to Oita with Kids: Hot Springs, Sanrio Characters, and Safari Adventures.
In this guide, we will break down the best street food spots in Yufuin that are specifically kid-friendly, practical tips for navigating the crowds with strollers, and how to make the most of your culinary adventure.
Why Yufuin Street Food is Perfect for Families
Traveling with young children often means that formal dining can be stressful. Yufuin solves this problem perfectly. The main street is lined with dozens of small stalls and cafes, allowing you to “graze” your way through lunch.
- Visual Appeal: The food here is designed to be photographed. From Miffy-shaped breads to Snoopy matcha lattes, the visual appeal engages kids immediately.
- Portion Control: Street food comes in small, manageable portions. You can buy one croquette or one stick of dango to share, minimizing waste if your child decides they aren’t hungry after all.
- Flexibility: There is no waiting for a table. If a stall is too crowded, you simply move to the next one.
- The Atmosphere: The backdrop of Yufuin Floral Village (which looks like a miniature Cotswolds or a Ghibli movie set) makes the walk magical for children.
If you are trying to figure out how to fit Yufuin into a larger Kyushu trip, check out our Kyushu Family Itineraries: The Complete Guide to Planning Your 3 to 7-Day Trip to see how it pairs with Fukuoka or Kumamoto.
The Savory Stars: Lunch on the Go
When you arrive at Yunotsubo Kaido, the smells will hit you immediately. While the sweets are tempting, you’ll want to start with some savory protein to fuel the walk.
1. Bungo Beef Croquettes (Kinsho)
Oita Prefecture is famous for Bungo Beef, a high-quality wagyu. However, a sit-down steak dinner with a toddler might not be in the cards (or the budget). Enter the Bungo Beef Croquette.
- Why kids love it: It’s crispy on the outside, soft and warm on the inside, and easy to hold in one hand.
- The Taste: The potato is creamy and sweet, mixed with savory minced beef.
- Parent Tip: Look for the “Gold Award” signs. There are usually lines, but they move very fast.
2. Giant Takoyaki (Bakudan Yaki)
If your family loves octopus balls, look out for the giant “Bakudan” (Bomb) yaki. These are essentially takoyaki the size of a softball, filled with varied ingredients like corn, cheese, and sausage, not just octopus.
- Why kids love it: The sheer size is hilarious to children. The “Mega” size makes it a fun challenge to eat.
- Warning: These are served piping hot (molten lava hot). Do not let your child bite into it immediately. Cut it open and let it cool for at least 5 minutes.
3. Cheese Sticks and Cucumber on a Stick
For the picky eaters, simple is often best. Many stalls sell fried cheese sticks wrapped in spring roll skin—crunchy, salty, and universally loved by children. Conversely, in the summer, you will see fresh cucumbers on a stick, marinated lightly in salt or miso. It’s a surprisingly refreshing and healthy snack that many Japanese children adore.
The Sweet Treats: Character Cafes and Desserts
Yufuin distinguishes itself from other traditional towns by heavily embracing “Kawaii” (cute) culture. There are several character-themed shops that function as bakeries and cafes.
1. Miffy Kitchen & Bakery
This bakery is instantly recognizable by the Miffy statue outside. It is arguably the most popular shop for families.
- The Food: They sell bread shaped like Miffy’s face, Miffy anpan (red bean paste), and Danish pastries.
- Souvenirs: The attached shop sells kitchenware that makes for great gifts.
- Note: If you are looking for other souvenir ideas in the region, take a look at our guide on 10 Best Fukuoka Souvenirs to Buy: Kid-Friendly Snacks & Traditional Crafts, as many similar items are available in Yufuin.
2. Snoopy Tea House
Combining traditional Japanese matcha with the world-famous beagle, this cafe is a hit.
- The Food: They offer matcha lattes with Snoopy marshmallows floating on top, and adorable Japanese sweets (wagashi).
- Takeout: There is a takeout window for matcha soft-serve ice cream, which is usually faster than waiting for a table inside.
3. Bees Honey Soft Serve
You cannot visit Yufuin without seeing the “Bees Honey” shop.
- The Food: Premium vanilla soft serve topped with real honeycomb or varying flavors of artisan honey.
- Why kids love it: It is incredibly sweet and creamy. The honey dripping over the ice cream is a sticky mess that kids absolutely delight in.
4. Yufuin Floral Village
While not a single food stall, this area is a cluster of tiny, European-style cottages selling Alice in Wonderland cookies, Heidi-themed goat milk products, and Ghibli merchandise. It also houses a small petting zoo (with squirrels and ducks), which provides a nice break from eating.
Logistics: Navigating Yufuin with Kids
While the food is amazing, the logistics of Yufuin can be tricky because of its popularity.
Strollers vs. Carriers
Yunotsubo Kaido is flat, which technically makes it stroller-friendly. However, it gets extremely crowded, especially on weekends and holidays.
- Our Advice: If you have a compact travel stroller, you will be fine. If you have a massive double stroller, you might find it difficult to navigate into the small shops. If your child is small enough, a baby carrier is much easier for popping in and out of stores.
Restrooms and Diaper Changes
Public restrooms are available at the station, near Yufuin Floral Village, and at the end of the street near Lake Kinrin. However, they are not as abundant as in a shopping mall.
- Tip: If you plan to visit the Snoopy Tea House or a sit-down cafe, use their facilities while you are customers.
Where to Stay
Yufuin has lovely Ryokans, but many families prefer to base themselves in nearby Beppu because of the large family-oriented hotels. It is only a short drive or bus ride away. For a detailed look at the best family hotel in the area, read our Suginoi Hotel Beppu Review: The Ultimate Family Stay in Kyushu.
Combining Yufuin with Other Oita Attractions
A trip to Yufuin usually takes about 3 to 4 hours, leaving plenty of time to explore other parts of Oita.
African Safari
Located relatively close to Yufuin, the African Safari Park is a major highlight for kids. You can take a “Jungle Bus” to feed lions and elephants. It pairs perfectly with a morning in Yufuin.
Harmony Land
If your kids enjoyed the character shops in Yufuin (like Hello Kitty or My Melody), they will love Harmony Land, the outdoor Sanrio theme park. It is a bit further away but doable if you have a car.
- Decision Time: If you only have time for one major attraction, check our comparison: Harmony Land vs. African Safari: Which is Better for Your Family Trip to Oita?
Practical Tips for Parents
To make your street food adventure stress-free, keep these tips in mind:
- Bring Wet Wipes: This is non-negotiable. Between the croquettes, honey ice cream, and cheesy sticks, your children’s hands will be sticky. Public trash cans are scarce, so bring a plastic bag to carry your sticky wipes home.
- Eat Near the Shop: In Japan, walking while eating is generally frowned upon (though slightly more acceptable in tourist streets like this). The polite etiquette is to buy your food and stand off to the side of the shop to eat it, then dispose of the trash in that shop’s bin before moving on.
- Go Early: The shops usually open around 10:00 AM. If you arrive then, you can beat the tour bus crowds that usually swell by 11:30 AM.
- Lake Kinrin: The street food route ends at Lake Kinrin. This is a beautiful spot to let the kids run around or sit on a bench to finish your snacks before heading back to the station.
Yufuin offers a unique blend of nature, art, and delicious food that is surprisingly accessible for families. It allows you to experience traditional Japan while keeping the kids entertained with familiar characters and sweet treats.
For more ideas on navigating the region, don’t forget to check our The Ultimate Guide to Oita with Kids: Hot Springs, Sanrio Characters, and Safari Adventures to plan the rest of your trip!