Enma-do Demon Hall
Witness a unique animatronic demon puppet that dramatically changes its facial expression at scheduled times. A quirky local highlight!
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
See the demon's face change!
Enma-do Demon Hall
Best Time
See the demon's face change!
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Witness a unique animatronic demon puppet that dramatically changes its facial expression at scheduled times. A quirky local highlight!
"Don’t expect too much from the Enmado animatronic... if you just see it as a quirky little feature of the town, it's actually quite fun and charming."
🎯 Time Your Visit for the Show
The animatronic demon changes its face a few times daily, usually around the hour. Arrive a few minutes early!
🍦 Don't Miss the Soft Serve
Many visitors rave about the incredibly good soft-serve ice cream in the area, often called the best in the world!
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Enma-do Demon Puppet
Witness a unique animatronic puppet that dramatically changes its facial expression throughout the day. A quirky local attraction!
Annual Festival
The shrine is the heart of a vibrant local festival, offering a glimpse into traditional celebrations and community spirit.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Planning Your Visit
Catch the Demon's Dynamic Display
Festival Focus & Off-Peak Visits
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
🎯 Time Your Visit for the Show
The animatronic demon changes its face a few times daily, usually around the hour. Arrive a few minutes early!
🍦 Don't Miss the Soft Serve
Many visitors rave about the incredibly good soft-serve ice cream in the area, often called the best in the world!
🅿️ Free Parking Available
If you're driving, free parking can be found in multiple nearby alleys.
🤔 Manage Expectations
It's a fun, quirky local gimmick, not a spectacular show. Enjoy it for what it is!
Tips
from all over the internet
🎯 Time Your Visit for the Show
The animatronic demon changes its face a few times daily, usually around the hour. Arrive a few minutes early!
🍦 Don't Miss the Soft Serve
Many visitors rave about the incredibly good soft-serve ice cream in the area, often called the best in the world!
🅿️ Free Parking Available
If you're driving, free parking can be found in multiple nearby alleys.
🤔 Manage Expectations
It's a fun, quirky local gimmick, not a spectacular show. Enjoy it for what it is!
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors find the Enma-do Demon Hall a charming and quirky local attraction, particularly enjoying the animatronic puppet's facial transformations. While some note it's a brief gimmick, most appreciate it as a fun, unique experience. The surrounding area also offers highly praised soft-serve ice cream.
"Noboribetsu, a short excursion
Having been driving nonstop last few days, we took it easy today and visited a couple of the local sightseeing spots.
Onto a famous Onsen with another red demo. Which apparently changes his facial expression, darn missed it by 5 minutes, but we didn’t want to wait for the 5pm performance, so we moved around that lovely place a bit, which appears to be high on the visitors agenda, due to be seen by a large number of big hotels!
But what I had to try was the a decent soft ice cone, it is being said to be the best in the world, and yes, it was amazingly good! The dairy from this area has a massively good reputation!
One of the scenic spots was the geyser like water spring, which was partially covered. Suggested the wife to take a hot bath, which she usually prefers, but she politely declined!!😇😂😂😂
#sapporo #Japantravels #MarketAdventures #gourmettravels #selfdrivingholidays #hokkaido #noboribetsu #cosmostinn"
Peter A. Knipp
"Queue is long, took me around 50 minutes before seated. Luckily its ticket system allowed me to spend the time at the nearby shops, noodle is nice. A bit too hot inside the shop."
jacc22 leung
"Don’t expect too much from the Enmado animatronic in Noboribetsu – just take it for what it is: a fun little local gimmick. It’s basically a big figurine that changes its face a few times a day, usually around the hour. It’s not a huge show or anything wild, so don’t go in expecting something spectacular. A lot of people seem to hype it up and end up disappointed, but if you just see it as a quirky little feature of the town, it’s actually quite fun and charming in its own way."
Anne Lysa
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
Enma-do Demon Hall is located in Noboribetsu, Hokkaido. It's easily accessible by car, with free parking available in nearby alleys. If using public transport, you can take a bus from Noboribetsu Station to the main hot spring town area, and it's a short walk from there.
Yes, it's a prominent feature in the Noboribetsu hot spring town. Look for signs directing you to the main attractions.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
No, viewing the Enma-do Demon Hall puppet is generally free. It's a public attraction within the town.
The demon puppet performs its face changes at scheduled times throughout the day, typically around the hour. The hall itself is accessible during daylight hours.
The face changes happen on the hour, but it's a brief performance. Arriving a few minutes before the hour is recommended to catch the full effect.
🎫 ✨ Onsite Experience
It's a unique and quirky experience featuring an animatronic puppet that changes its facial expression. It's a short, fun local gimmick rather than a grand show.
The performance is very brief, usually only 2-3 minutes long, showcasing the puppet's facial transformation.
Many visitors find it charming and worthwhile as a unique local attraction. However, manage your expectations; it's a simple, fun gimmick.
Yes, the hall is located in the heart of Noboribetsu's hot spring town, which offers various other attractions like hot springs, foot baths, and scenic spots like the Jigokudani (Hell Valley).
🍽️ 🍦 Food & Dining
Many visitors highly recommend the soft-serve ice cream in Noboribetsu, with some calling it the best in the world due to the high-quality local dairy.
Enma-do Demon Hall is a small shrine and performance space; dining facilities are typically found in the surrounding hot spring town.
📸 📸 Photography
The main photo opportunity is capturing the animatronic demon during its face change. The surrounding area of Noboribetsu's hot spring town also offers scenic views.
Yes, photography is generally allowed, especially of the puppet's changing expressions. Be mindful of other visitors trying to watch the performance.
For Different Travelers
Tailored advice for your travel style
👨👩👧 Families with Kids
Beyond the hall, Noboribetsu itself is family-friendly. Consider visiting Jigokudani (Hell Valley) for a visually impressive, albeit slightly eerie, natural wonder that kids might find fascinating. Also, don't miss out on the delicious soft-serve ice cream in the area, a guaranteed hit with children!
🚗 Day-Trippers & Self-Drivers
Free parking is available in nearby alleys, adding to the convenience for drivers.
Deep Dives
In-depth insights and expert knowledge
The Enma-do Demon: A Quirky Local Icon
Catching the performance is a highlight for many. The puppet typically changes its expression around the top of the hour. It's advisable to arrive a few minutes early to get a good vantage point, as crowds can gather for this brief event. The charm lies in its unexpectedness and its role as a distinctive feature of the Noboribetsu hot spring town.
Beyond the puppet itself, the Enma-do Demon Hall is often associated with the annual festival held in Noboribetsu. This festival provides a deeper cultural context and a more lively atmosphere, showcasing local traditions and community spirit. Visiting during this time offers a different, more immersive experience of the shrine and its significance.
Beyond the Demon: Noboribetsu's Delights
Many visitors to Noboribetsu also highlight the exceptional quality of local dairy products, particularly the soft-serve ice cream. Several reviews specifically mention it as a must-try, often described as incredibly good and a testament to the region's rich dairy farming.
For those traveling by car, finding parking in Noboribetsu is generally manageable, with free options available in various alleys.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit