just leave it...a 3 walled kitchen..is the yellow affecting your existence there so much? It looks clean, generous in size, etc. The yellow is bold, not a typical pick but it's a statement and the space would lack much character if it were white paint. The soffit issue is there but the cabinets are set up in a decent way , considering. Get some brown/white patterned floor mats to balance it out and add a little soft feel. Maybe he'd give you a bamboo shade or wood look blind at the window. It's fine...just cook and have your friends by , etc.

A rental? You are worrying about the national debt or the solar flares. Worry about something you have control over. Like saving enough to buy your own house that you can do whatever with.

Wow, that yellow is a strong one. Painting is awesome, I am glad that the landlord is willing to do that. I think the options are to match the white of the cabinets or match the ceiling. I would match the cabinets. If that winds up feeling stark and bland as the backsplash you can always use bright appliances (kettle, blender, etc) or other accessories to liven it up again.

Waking up to that much yellow would be a tough start to a day, though, previous tenants must have really loved yellow.

Just paint a color that blends more with the cabinets, done. As others have said, this is not so much to worry over. Compared to some of the rentals I lived in when I was younger, I would have loved this kitchen (one had the original stove with pilot light that you had to light with a match; singed my eyebrows more than once, though it cooked/baked kinda great). I would concentrate my time/effort on doing the rest of the apartment so it's pretty.

I had high hopes that this group would have some unique suggestions for me. Oh well! Thanks to everyone who had an actual suggestion, instead of telling me to worry about other things. I realize there are worse things in the world than this - you don't have to comment if you don't have an idea.