Gettouan or Nihon no Ashitaba? Two Very Different Yufuin Hideaways
Gettouan puts a private outdoor spring bath in every room. Ashitaba has several private-use shared baths; cottage features and shuttle access vary.
Checked: September 27, 2026 Both inns sit away from Yufuin’s busiest streets and make sense when you want to spend time on the property. Their privacy works differently, though. Gettouan guarantees an open-air bath at the room; Nihon no Ashitaba gives guests a set of shared baths that are all used privately, so the stay can include several bathing spots without requiring one in every cottage.
| Yufuin Gettouan | Nihon no Ashitaba | |
|---|---|---|
| Detached-room count | 18 rooms, split between 12 main-building rooms and six annex rooms | 13 detached cottages across about 4,500 tsubo of grounds |
| In-room bath | Every room has a private open-air hot spring | Varies by cottage; some do not list a guest-room bath |
| Shared baths | Gender-separated public indoor/outdoor bathhouse; annex guests also have an annex-only private-use bath | The shared on-site baths are private-use, including the large outdoor bath, bamboo bath and Showa bath area |
| Best fit | A private open-air bath at the room is non-negotiable | You want to move between distinct baths and do not mind walking around the grounds |
| Access from station | Current official page says shuttle service is suspended; taxi is the practical option | The inn publishes a pre-booked shuttle schedule; confirm it is still operating for your stay |
Choose your bathing routine, not the prettier room photo
Gettouan’s room bath makes the evening simple: no need to check whether a shared bath is vacant before deciding to soak. Its shared bathhouse is an additional option, not the only way to get privacy. The annex’s private-use bath is another extra, but the annex does not accept guests junior-high-school age or younger.
Ashitaba is better suited to guests who enjoy walking between bathing areas. Its large outdoor bath looks toward Mount Yufu; the bamboo bath is smaller and tucked among the trees; the Showa bath area has several private-use baths. Room facilities still vary, so check the cottage name if you want a tub right outside your bedroom or do not want to walk between buildings.
Car-free arrival and walking effort
Gettouan’s official access page currently marks the station shuttle as suspended. It lists a taxi ride of about eight minutes from Yufuin Station. Ashitaba’s official site still publishes advance-reservation pickup windows—afternoon arrivals and morning departures—but that notice dates from 2022. Contact the inn before building a 2026 transfer plan around it.
Both properties spread rooms and bathing facilities across substantial grounds. Ashitaba has 13 cottages and several baths to reach; Gettouan has slopes and steps between areas, particularly around its main and annex sides. If someone in your party has limited mobility, ask about the actual route from the assigned room to dinner and the bath you plan to use.
Water details and room rules
Gettouan publishes more specific spring information: simple hot spring water, source temperature of 62°C and a listed use-point temperature of 42°C. Its page also says the water is circulated through the baths and diluted to adjust temperature. Ashitaba identifies its spring as simple and weakly alkaline simple spring water, but does not publish the same full set of temperature figures. “Private-use” describes who shares a bath, not its water treatment.
Families should check the exact cottage and child arrangements at Ashitaba. At Gettouan, the junior-high-school-age restriction applies to the annex, not automatically to all 18 rooms. For a room-by-room comparison within Gettouan, see the main building versus annex guide.
Sources
- [Gettouan rooms](https://www.gettouan.com/rooms_honkan), [annex](https://www.gettouan.com/rooms_bekkan), [onsen](https://www.gettouan.com/onsen), and [access](https://www.gettouan.com/access) - [Nihon no Ashitaba rooms](https://www.2hon-no-ashitaba.co.jp/room/room.html), [private-use baths](https://www.2hon-no-ashitaba.co.jp/onsen/onsen.html), and [published shuttle notice](https://www.2hon-no-ashitaba.co.jp/news/news-3.html) - Images: [large outdoor bath](https://2hon-no-ashitaba.co.jp/onsen/img/showa11.jpg), [bath photo](https://www.2hon-no-ashitaba.co.jp/img/hotspring1.jpg), [outdoor bath](https://2hon-no-ashitaba.co.jp/onsen/img/showa12.jpg)Tags: Gettouan, Nihon no Ashitaba, Yufuin private onsen, hillside ryokan comparison
