Yufu, Oita / 金鱗湖
Lake Kinrin
One of Yufuin's signature sights, in rich nature. Once called "the pond below the peak" as it lies below Mt. Yufu, it is said to have been named "Kinrin-ko" (golden-scale lake) in 1884 (Meiji 17) by the Confucian scholar Mori Kuso, who saw the scales of fish shining in the setting sun. A path runs round the lake, and on early mornings from autumn to winter the lake is wrapped in morning mist.
Last official check
26 Sept 2026
Traveler reports
0
Reports open in Phase 2
Next scheduled check
25 Dec 2026
Decide before you go
A short summary made from the official facts below. Check the rows for details.
- Getting there
- Car
Before you go
Only facts we confirmed on official sources are shown. Anything else is marked “Not checked yet”.
- Opening hours
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
- Closed
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
- Admission
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
- Getting there
About 10 minutes by car from the Yufuin IC (Oita Expressway).
Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site- Parking
Paid car parks nearby.
Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site- Payment
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
- Accessibility
Not checked yet — we have not confirmed this on an official source yet. Check with the spot before you go.
Found wrong or outdated information? Let us know
Address: Yufu, Oita (Japanese address: 大分県由布市湯布院町川上1561-1)
Official site: https://www.visit-oita.jp/spots/detail/4362
Location
Smaller pins are other spots nearby.
Nearby spots
- No photo yetYunotsubo StreetOitaLess than 1 km away (straight line)
- No photo yetBeppu RopewayOita8 km away (straight line)
- No photo yetLake ShidakaOita8 km away (straight line)
- No photo yetLake KagurameOita9 km away (straight line)
- No photo yetMyoban Yunohana HutsOita10 km away (straight line)
Distances are straight-line distances, not travel distances.
Crowds
- Crowd level
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Best time to visit
On early mornings from autumn to winter the lake is wrapped in mist.
Checked 26 Sept 2026 on the official site- Peak time
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Busiest days
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Busiest season
Not checked yet — no official source yet, and not enough traveler reports.
- Latest traveler report
- None yet
Traveler crowd data by time of day appears after 5 traveler reports (0 so far).
You can check typical busy hours in Google Maps ("Popular times" on the place's page). Open this spot in Google Maps
Verification log
- 26 Sept 2026First check · Tourism board · https://www.visit-oita.jp/spots/detail/4362Access, parking, description, address and coordinates read from a tourism organization's site.