[Kokonoe “Yume” Otsurihashi Travel Guide] Enjoy Spectacular Views from Japan’s Tallest Pedestrian Suspension Bridge!

To reach Kokonoe “Yume” Otsurihashi from within Oita Prefecture, the basic route is to first go to the nearest station, JR Bungo-Nakamura Station, and then take a community bus from there.
Here, we have summarized the route starting from Oita Airport, the main gateway to Oita, in the table below.
Train and bus services are limited, and you may need to wait nearly an hour each at JR Yufuin Station and JR Bungo-Nakamura Station along the way.
If you miss the bus departing from Oita Airport in the 11 am hour, sightseeing on the same day will become difficult, so be careful.
For that reason, depending on your flight schedule, it is recommended to avoid planning a visit on your first or last day and instead create an itinerary that includes other spots.

Please refer to the table below for the hours and admission fees for Kokonoe "Yume" Otsurihashi.
It has no regular closing days and is open year-round, so you can visit anytime during business hours.

When you walk to the midpoint of Kokonoe “Yume” Otsurihashi, you can take in a sweeping view of the majestic Shindo-no-Taki Falls, selected as one of Japan’s Top 100 Waterfalls.
Shindo-no-Taki consists of the Male Falls (83 m drop) and Female Falls (93 m drop), and is known for the graceful streams of water flowing down the rock face.
Its name comes from the force powerful enough to make the surrounding area tremble, and when you stand near the falls, it can feel as though the ground is shaking.
From the bridge, you can enjoy the grand scenery created by the falls and the deep gorge, and feel the power and greatness of nature through your whole body.
The vivid scenery seen especially during the autumn leaves and fresh greenery seasons, with the colorful landscape set against the white spray of the waterfall, is simply breathtaking.
It is also an excellent photo spot filled with photogenic views, so be sure to capture this special experience.

The floor at the center of Kokonoe “Yume” Otsurihashi is made of grating (a lattice-like metal panel).
This section is nearly transparent, allowing you to look directly down from 173 m above the ground, which is why it is commonly called the “Thrill Spot.”
From the Thrill Spot, you can get a close view of the Narukogawa River flowing through the deep gorge and the impressive Shindo-no-Taki Falls, making it a special way to enjoy a walk in the sky.
When the wind blows, the bridge sways slightly, adding even more excitement and a heart-racing feeling.
It is also the place where you feel the height most strongly while crossing the bridge, so if you are not comfortable with heights, it may take a bit of courage, but in return you can enjoy both the thrill and the spectacular scenery.
Walking in high heels or pumps is dangerous, so wear sneakers or other comfortable shoes.

Around late October to mid-November each year, when the autumn leaves reach their best, the entire gorge turns vivid shades of red, yellow, and orange.
The area around Kokonoe “Yume” Otsurihashi becomes like a beautiful painting, and from the bridge you can enjoy a 360-degree panoramic view.
Kyusuikei, where sheer cliffs continue for Approx. 2 km along both banks of the Kusugawa River, is also known as “Jusanm agari” and is a famous autumn foliage spot that captivates visitors with its overwhelming gorge scenery.
From the elevation of 777 m, the colorful trees filling the deep valley below create exquisite contrasts, and the sight of leaves shimmering in the light as they sway in the breeze adds to the charm.

In winter, Kokonoe “Yume” Otsurihashi is wrapped in a silvery-white world across the entire gorge, offering visitors a sense of quiet beauty different from usual.
Snow-covered streams and rock faces spread out across the area, especially in Kyusuikei, and the view from the bridge has a more幻想的な atmosphere than in other seasons.
On especially cold days, mist may hang over the gorge, adding to the appeal of enjoying the delicate art created by nature.
Combined with the clear air, this is also the season when you can see the distant mountains especially clearly.
Snowfall and frost usually occur from late November to late March, and snow accumulation is highly possible, so watch your step while enjoying the grand scenery.

Tenkukan is a local products market operated within the Kokonoe “Yume” Otsurihashi facility, divided into Building 1 and Building 2.
Building 1 is lined with local specialty items from Kokonoe Town, including local farm produce, processed foods, local sake, sweets, jams, and small goods, making it a great place to shop for souvenirs.
Meanwhile, Building 2 has an eating space and sells takeout items such as soft-serve ice cream, grilled corn, and corn dogs.
One of the most popular items is the local specialty “Yume Burger.”
It is a hearty hamburger made with plenty of local ingredients, featuring a juicy handmade patty that pairs perfectly with fresh vegetables.
In addition to beef, you can also choose boar or venison for the patty and enjoy the distinct flavor of each.
※For the time being, Building 2 is open only on Saturdays and Sundays

This restaurant stands at Asahidai, a scenic viewpoint at an elevation of Approx. 900 m surrounded by the majestic Kuju Mountain Range.
It is run by Washizu Farm, which raises Bungo beef, one of Oita Prefecture’s branded food products, and offers a wide range of dishes made with high-quality beef.
In addition to the recommended Oita Wagyu steak set meal, the reasonably priced yakiniku rice bowl, Bungo beef croquette set meal, and Bungo beef curry are also excellent.

This restaurant operates near the middle of Kyusuikei, a gorge lined with sheer cliffs and surrounded by primeval forest.
Its dining area offers a wide variety of simple yet distinctive dishes.
Along with light bites such as char-grilled yamame trout, carefully grilled one by one over charcoal, and grilled dumplings eaten with special yuzu soy sauce, there are also hearty set meals including Oita’s famous chicken tempura set meal.

A rest house located on Iida Plateau in Aso-Kuju National Park, along Saishiki Road.
In addition to its specialty jidori soba and udon, it offers a wide variety of soba and udon dishes, as well as rice dishes such as curry rice and rice balls.
The shop also carries souvenirs unique to the area, and from the observation point you can look out over Amagatani Gorge, a hidden autumn foliage spot.

This park is located on the Kuju Plateau within Aso-Kuju National Park, surrounded by the Kuju Mountain Range and the Five Peaks of Aso.
In the refreshing air, you can admire colorful seasonal flowers.
The site is vast at Approx. 220,000 square meters and features several hills covered in carpets of flowers, a rose garden, Kuju Garden inspired by an English garden, and the Antir greenhouse that can be enjoyed even on rainy days, so visitors can see many kinds of flowers whenever they come.

Among the 12 distinctive hot spring areas collectively known as Kokonoe “Yume” Onsen-kyo, scattered north of the Kuju Mountain Range, this is one of the most unique.
It promotes itself as having “Japan’s best utase-yu,” and many hotels and ryokan have their own waterfall-style baths.
The spring waters include simple hot spring water and sodium chloride spring water, and the name “Sujiyu” is said to come from its effectiveness for muscle ailments such as stiff shoulders, with the utase-yu believed to enhance the effect.
It is also popular as a starting point for Iida Plateau and as a base for climbing the Kuju Mountain Range, so many hikers use it as well.

Chojabaru Visitor Center is a museum-style exhibition facility located at the trailhead of the Kuju Mountain Range, introducing the history and nature of Kuju.
It is rich in materials and explanations about nature, wildlife, and the Tadewara Marshland, helping visitors deepen their enjoyment of the area.
The mountain nature is also introduced through beautiful seasonal videos. The floor features a giant satellite photo of Aso-Kuju National Park, giving you the feeling of becoming a giant.

An accommodation for two adults only, with just 14 rooms spread across a vast 3,300-tsubo property. Detached guest rooms are scattered across the spacious grounds, and every room comes with both an open-air bath and an indoor bath filled with 100% free-flowing hot spring water from the property’s own source.
You can fully enjoy the hot springs in a quiet private setting in Yufuin.
Each guest room is themed around traditional Japanese colors such as “Ruri” and “Kyomurasaki,” with the room name incorporated into the design, and each has a different layout, allowing you to discover new pleasures and details even on a return stay.

Yufuin Onsen is famous as a “beauty bath” thanks to the bicarbonate-rich quality of its waters. This inn lets you enjoy those hot springs in a spacious open-air rock bath with views of Mt. Yufu.
In addition to the large public bath, there are private family baths in the building that guests can use free of charge during their stay, allowing for a relaxing hot spring experience.
To let guests fully enjoy the atmosphere, scenery, and clean air of Yufuin, the inn is designed with 14 rooms in the main building and 12 detached cottages, arranged so that rich natural scenery can be seen right outside the windows.

A luxury ryokan regarded as one of the three great inns of Yufuin Onsen, alongside Yufuin Tamanoyu and Kamenoi Besso.
Located on a hill around 2 km from central Yufuin Station, the property consists of a main building with the front desk and dining area, 12 detached guest rooms each with different furnishings, a bar filled with comfortable classical and jazz music, a chocolate shop, a soba restaurant with a great view, an art museum themed around music, and a select shop carrying stylish souvenirs from Oita.