Northeast of Hakodate is Noboribetsu, Hokkaido’s most famous hot spring resort. A large amount of Noboribetsu’s many types of hot spring water surfaces in the spectacular Jigokudani or “Hell Valley” just above the resort town. Noboribetsu is part of Shikotsu-Toya National Park.
Group Attractions
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Hot Spring
As one of the country’s most famous onsen towns, Noboribetsu offers as many as eleven different kinds of thermal waters, that are considered among Japan's best and most effective. The resort town consists of numerous (mostly large-sized) ryokan and hotels with hot spring baths. Several of them open their baths during the daytime to non-staying guests for typically 700 to 2000 yen. Also, there is one public bathhouse located in the centre of town.
Activities: Onsen Fee: Depends on onsen Time required: Minimum 1 hour
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Date Jidaimura
Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura is a theme park that can recreate and experience the streets and cultures of the Edo period. There are 94 wooden buildings based on history back in the Edo period, including samurai houses and landscapes. You can see the actors walking around the park dressing like samurai, geisha, and in kimono everywhere. The Edo-themed shopping streets have shops where you can buy souvenirs as well as eat-out spots. There are plenty of shows for you to watch too, such as geisha shows, or ninja practising skills on the targeting range.
Activities: Show watching Fee: JPY 2900 Time required: Minimum 1 hour
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Jigokudani Hell Valley
A spectacular valley just above the town of Noboribetsu Onsen, which displays hot steam vents, sulfurous streams and other volcanic activity. It is the main source of Noboribetsu's hot spring waters. From the valley, there are attractive walking trails through the wooded hills above Noboribetsu. If you follow them for about 20 to 30 minutes, you will get to Oyunuma, a sulfurous pond with a surface temperature of 50 degrees Celsius and a smaller, even hotter, mud pond nearby.
Activities: Photo stop Fee: None Time required: 40 minutes
Nearby Areas
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The scenic heart of Shikotsu-Toya National Park, Lake Toya offers stunning scenery as far as the eye can see. Slip into a lake-edge onsen hot pool or marvel at the view from a rooftop bath. Whether you want the atmosphere of a world-class hotel or a down-to-earth local hangout, Toya has you covered.
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Mount Usu is a volcano that has erupted four times in the past 100 years. The Usuzan Ropeway brings you close to the volcano’s summit. The upper station’s observation deck offers panoramic views of Lake Toya and neighbouring Showa Shinzan. From a second observation deck a short walk away, there are views of the ocean and Mount Usu’s largest crater.