A Guide to Noboribetsu Onsen

The hardy winters and rugged landscapes of Hokkaido have long captured the imagination, and in more recent years, the region has developed into a world-class tourism destination for travelers interested in winter sports, national parks, and indigenous cultural heritage. Located south of the prefectural capital of Sapporo, Noboribetsu lies within the boundaries of Shikotsu-Toya National Park and offers a relaxing hot spring resort — the largest in Hokkaido — guaranteed to fit any northern Japan itinerary. Read on to find out what makes Noboribetsu Onsen worth your while.

Like all of Japan’s natural hot springs, Noboribetsu Onsen derives its waters from the volcanic power of the land. Noboribetsu is right next to the ominously named Jigokudani (literally “Hell Valley”) created by volcanic activity from around 10,000 years ago. Jigokudani supplies the hot spring resort with most of its waters.

For a country with abundant hot springs, Noboribetsu Onsen is perennially ranked among the top destinations by domestic travelers. Its name is derived from the Ainu phrase nupur-pet, meaning “dark-colored river”. In the late 1800s, a carpenter built the first public bathhouse in the area after his wife’s disease was said to have been cured by the waters. Word spread quickly, and Noboribetsu came to national prominence in the following decades. Wounded and sick soldiers from the Russo-Japanese War of the early 20th century were even dispatched here for recovery.

Jigokudani remains one of the top attractions for visitors to Noboribetsu Onsen. The town has many activities that honor the power of Jigokudani, such as a summer festival where celebrants don demon masks to pay their respects to the underworld.

You can easily reach Noboribetsu by train or airplane. Many flights between Tokyo and Sapporo’s New Chitose Airport are available, and the journey takes under two hours. JR trains provide several options to reach Noboribetsu Station from the airport. Alternatively, if you prefer a longer trip by Shinkansen, you can take the high-speed rail to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto and transfer to the Hokuto Limited Express, which provides access to Noboribetsu Station. The Japan Rail Pass and other regional rail passes cover this entire route.

From Noboribetsu Station, a short bus ride or taxi is needed to reach Noboribetsu Onsen. There is also the Donan Bus that provides direct service between New Chitose Airport and Noboribetsu Onsen, a journey of just over an hour.

Noboribetsu Onsen boasts an array of 10 different hot springs, each with unique qualities to soothe, heal, or beautify. All of them offer a relaxing experience but read up about your specific ryokan or bathhouse if you have something particular in mind. For example, the sulfur springs (perhaps the most famous kind here) have a pearly white color and are said to be beneficial for chronic skin diseases and arteriosclerosis.

Darker aluminum-based springs have historically been used to treat those with eye-related ailments. The clear and colorless sodium bicarbonate springs help exfoliate and soften your skin, thus earning their reputation as “beautifying” hot springs. Inflammation and metabolism can be eased by the radium springs, which contain a higher than usual amount of radon and thoron. Even those who choose not to spend the night at Noboribetsu Onsen can enjoy the various hot spring facilities available for day trippers.

Jigokudani is the primary attraction and a must-see for any visitor. The valley is actually a huge crater with an area of 11 hectares that was created by the volcanic activity of Mount Hiyori. This photogenic landscape is characterized by fumaroles that spout sulfurous gasses and bodies of bubbling or boiling water. You’ll understand immediately why this site has been likened to the underworld or home of the demons. A wheelchair-accessible ramp that leads from the park service center to the observation deck ensures that everyone can partake in this experience. Nearby is Lake Oyunuma, a gourd-shaped lake with sulfur springs about 130°C (266°F) flowing from the bottom of the lake.

Back in the hot spring town, you can find a variety of gourmet delights and shopping options. Hokkaido is famed for its dairy industry, and Noboribetsu Dairy Farm has a wide selection of such products to tantalize your taste buds, be it a signature creamy pudding made from unpasteurized milk, ice cream, cheese, or other goods. Elsewhere around town, you can tuck into hearty fare like ramen, pizza, or grilled meat to fend off the cold.

Travelers with a serious outdoor streak can rent ATVs or snowmobiles at Noboribetsu Off-Road Park and enjoy an exhilarating natural excursion. Don’t miss Noboribetsu Bear Park, where you can get an up-close view of the brown bears that are native to the region. This park is situated on the site of scenic Lake Kuttara. There are plenty of cultural sites and attractions for those who want to take a vacation at a more relaxed pace. Learn about Japan’s prehistoric Jomon period at the Noboribetsu Cultural Exchange Center Kanto Rera Museum, or explore local history at the Noboribetsu City Cultural Tradition Museum.

A wide variety of hotels and ryokans are available for your trip to Noboribetsu Onsen. Here are just a few for your consideration.

Established in 1938, Noboribetsu Grand Hotel is a local fixture that once hosted Japan’s imperial family and offers three different types of hot springs to enjoy.

The elegant architecture of the indoor Roman bath is an altogether transporting experience, while the rest of the facilities provide both western and Japanese-style relaxation, whether through meals in the dining hall, the guest rooms themselves, or cocktails served at the bar.

Noboribetsu Onsenkyo Takinoya is about a 10-minute taxi ride away from Noboribetsu Station or a three-minute walk from Noboribetsu Onsen Bus Terminal. They offer various types of guestrooms, such as Japanese-style and western-style rooms, and some even include their own private open-air bath.

They have both indoor and outdoor baths, and you can enjoy four different types of hot springs. During your stay, you can also take a stroll in their Japanese garden, get a relaxing massage at the spa, and wind down at the bar.

Let yourself be lulled by the murmuring of the nearby river from your room in Oyado Kiyomizuya, which has several different spaces that can accommodate groups of various sizes. The rooms are characterized by traditional Japanese architectural elements, including tatami mats, tokonoma alcoves, shoji sliding screens, and zabuton floor cushions. Hairy crab and Tokachi beef are among the regional culinary specialties the hotel serves its guests.

Dai-ichi Takimotokan traces its history to the 1800s when an enterprising carpenter brought his sickly wife to Noboribetsu so she could be healed by its mystical hot springs. The hotel's establishment and development mirror the town's trajectory to some degree. Today, Takimotokan offers 35 separate baths open 24 hours a day, with a wide range of waters believed to treat or soothe different conditions. Those not staying at the hotel can also drop in for day visits. Various dining options, celebratory packages, and other spectacles round out the experiences that the hotel can arrange.