Noboribetsu Onsen, Sapporo
A renowned hot spring town in Hokkaido, famous for its dramatic volcanic landscapes and therapeutic mineral-rich waters.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more serene soak
Noboribetsu Onsen, Sapporo
Best Time
Fewer crowds, more serene soak
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A renowned hot spring town in Hokkaido, famous for its dramatic volcanic landscapes and therapeutic mineral-rich waters.
"Best place to relax after a ski trip. Favorite ryokan in Japan!!"
👣 Wear comfortable shoes
You'll be doing a lot of walking around Hell Valley and the footpaths. :athletic_shoe:
🧖♀️ Bring a towel for foot baths
Essential for enjoying the Oyunuma Natural Footpath's warm stream. :towel:
Quick Facts
Rating
4.6 · 689 reviews
Type
Japanese inn
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Jigokudani (Hell Valley)
Noboribetsu
A surreal volcanic landscape with steaming vents and bubbling hot springs, emitting a distinct sulfurous aroma.
Oyunuma Natural Footpath
Noboribetsu
A scenic forest trail leading to a warm stream where you can soak your feet. Bring a towel!
Onsen Experience
Various Ryokans and Hotels
Indulge in the therapeutic volcanic hot springs, with options for private or public baths.
Demon Statues
Noboribetsu Town
Encounter the iconic Yukijin demon statues, believed to protect the town and its hot springs.
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Planning Your Visit
Day Trip vs. Overnight Stay
Transportation Logistics
Best Times
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
👣 Wear comfortable shoes
You'll be doing a lot of walking around Hell Valley and the footpaths. :athletic_shoe:
🧖♀️ Bring a towel for foot baths
Essential for enjoying the Oyunuma Natural Footpath's warm stream. :towel:
🚗 Consider a rental car
Offers more flexibility to explore surrounding areas like Lake Kuttara. 🚗
👃 Be prepared for sulfur smell
The volcanic activity in Hell Valley creates a distinct, strong odor. 👃
Tips
from all over the internet
👣 Wear comfortable shoes
You'll be doing a lot of walking around Hell Valley and the footpaths. :athletic_shoe:
🧖♀️ Bring a towel for foot baths
Essential for enjoying the Oyunuma Natural Footpath's warm stream. :towel:
🚗 Consider a rental car
Offers more flexibility to explore surrounding areas like Lake Kuttara. 🚗
👃 Be prepared for sulfur smell
The volcanic activity in Hell Valley creates a distinct, strong odor. 👃
📅 Avoid Chinese New Year
This peak travel period can make the experience less relaxing due to crowds. 📅
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Visitors consistently praise Noboribetsu's exceptional onsen experiences and the unique volcanic landscapes of Hell Valley. The quality of food, particularly Kaiseki meals, and the attentive service at ryokans are frequently highlighted as positives. However, some guests found the food to be inconsistent with the hotel's high standards, and the town can become overwhelmingly crowded during peak holiday periods like Chinese New Year.
"The VERY BEST onsen hotel I have the privilege to visit and stay. There are no Con's, only Pro's.
Location-10 mins north of Noboribetsu station and easy to find. Visitors have the option to take taxis or local buses.
Hotel-super clean, all amenities are well kept, down to the windows sills. They even pick up and store your shoes upon arrival. Very Japanese structures. Their lounge is gorgeous with an amazing sound system to play very tranquil music. We came mid-September, before autumn blooms. Staff were seen to hand pick fallen leaves from the trees to keep their landscaping looking immaculate! All the surroundings are quiet and absolutely beautiful; like living in a dream.
Customer service- 100 stars in my book. Beginning w check in process to Miss Hana who served us breakfast and dinner for two days, she was so friendly and always smiling and courteous. She even remembers my husband's need to drink warm water w his meds, after asking her just once. Our dinning room has the same assigned name as our room (each with different characters, ours was Kiku for Chrysemtamum flower).
Food-each meal was like a painting with beautiful and delicious dishes. They even have the menu plan on a beautiful note, almost poetic writing!
Onsen- several options for up and downstairs. Different onsen was filled with different types of water and minerals, all HOT and soothing.
We plan to return soon. Thank you for the hospitality!!"
Mei Chi Siu
"The food is outstanding, fresh, beautifully prepared, and full of flavour.
If you’re looking for the perfect place to unwind, enjoy great food, and be taken care of with warm hospitality, this onsen is truly exceptional. Highly recommended."
Cong Nguyen
"A beautiful Ryokan located within a 10 minute walk to most attractions, restaurant and services. The Ryokan features quite a few onsen baths located in a pleasing setting overlooking a small waterfall and gardens.
The Kaiseki dinner was excellent, freshest produce possible and delicately presented.
As it’s a small-ish onsen, don’t expect the service flexibility you’d be accustomed to on larger hotel chains but in the areas that they provide service to it is done with the due care that one would expect from Japan.
All in I would highly recommend this Ryokan for a relaxing hot springs break on your journey around Hokkaido!"
Aaron Loo
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
🚇 🗺️ Getting There
The most convenient way is by direct bus, which takes about 2 hours and costs around 2500 yen one-way. Alternatively, you can take a limited express train to Noboribetsu Station (approx. 1 hour, 4780 yen) and then a bus to the onsen town.
By direct bus, the journey is approximately 2 hours. If you opt for the train and bus combination, the train ride is about 1 hour, with an additional bus ride to the onsen area.
Yes, public buses run from Noboribetsu Station to Jigokudani (Hell Valley) and the main onsen town. It's advisable to check the bus timetable for return trips as they can be infrequent.
Some hotels in Noboribetsu offer direct shuttle bus services from Sapporo or New Chitose Airport, but these often require advance reservation.
Yes, a day trip is feasible, but it will be a packed schedule. You'll need to manage your time carefully to see the main sights and potentially enjoy a quick onsen dip.
🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry
Jigokudani (Hell Valley) itself is an open natural landscape and does not require an entrance ticket. However, some attractions within the area might have fees.
Day-use onsen facilities vary in price. For example, Dai-ichi Takimotokan offers day-use access, and prices can be found on their website. Private onsen experiences in ryokans are typically included in your accommodation cost.
The Oyunuma Natural Footpath and the footbath area are generally free to access as part of the natural landscape.
Hell Valley is accessible at all times, but it's best visited during daylight hours for safety and visibility. Onsen facilities have specific operating hours, usually extending into the evening.
It's recommended to check with individual onsen facilities or hotels about advance booking for day-use, especially during busy periods.
🎫 🏞️ Onsite Experience
The top attractions include Jigokudani (Hell Valley) for its volcanic activity, the Oyunuma Natural Footpath for a relaxing foot soak, and the various onsen resorts for a therapeutic bathing experience. Don't miss the iconic demon statues!
Noboribetsu is famous for its diverse onsen waters. Many ryokans offer both indoor and outdoor baths with mineral-rich volcanic water. Dai-ichi Takimotokan is known for its large onsen facilities.
Yes, there are scenic hiking trails around Hell Valley and the surrounding natural areas, including the Oyunuma Natural Footpath. Access to more extensive trails might require a car.
Many ryokans offer traditional Kaiseki multi-course dinners, often featuring fresh local ingredients. The town also has restaurants serving Japanese cuisine. Some reviews mention food quality can vary.
Yes, families can enjoy the unique landscapes of Hell Valley and the relaxing onsen experience. Some hotels offer family-friendly rooms and amenities.
📸 📸 Photography Tips
Jigokudani (Hell Valley) offers dramatic landscapes with steam vents. The Oyunuma Natural Footpath provides serene forest shots. Look out for the striking demon statues scattered around town.
Early morning or late afternoon can offer softer light and fewer crowds. The steam rising from the vents is particularly photogenic in cooler temperatures.
Generally, photography is not allowed inside public onsen bathing areas for privacy reasons. Some private onsen rooms in ryokans might allow it, but always check the rules first.
A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expansive volcanic landscapes. A sturdy tripod can be useful for low-light shots or capturing steam. Protect your gear from moisture. :camerawithflash:
The demon statues are a unique cultural element to photograph. Also, capturing the traditional architecture of the ryokans and the presentation of Kaiseki meals can be very appealing.
Social
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit