Noboribetsu Jigokudani (Hell Valley)
📍 Address: Noboribetsu Onsen-cho, Noboribetsu-shi, Hokkaido 059-0551, Japan Noboribetsu Jigokudani is the main stage of Noboribetsu tourism and the largest hot spring source area in Noboribetsu Onsen. It is a massive explosion crater formed by the volcanic eruption of Mt. Hiyoriyama approximately 10,000 years ago, boasting a diameter of about 450m and an area of about 11 hectares (equivalent to about 2.8 Koshien Stadiums). It’s just a short walk from the hot spring town, but the moment you approach the entrance, you’re enveloped in a strong sulfurous smell and rising white steam, instantly drawing you into an otherworldly realm. From the valley floor and reddish-brown rock faces, 10,000 tons of hot spring water (with 9 different spring qualities) gush forth daily with bubbling sounds, a spectacle truly befitting the name ‘Hell where demons dwell.’ 【Deep enjoyment tips for travelers】The walking trails are well-maintained, allowing for an easy 10-15 minute stroll to the center. However, it gets extremely crowded during the day with tour bus groups (and many inbound tourists recently), so if you want to quietly enjoy the spectacular views all to yourself, visiting in the ‘early morning around 8 AM’ or during the ‘night illumination period’ from sunset until 9 PM, when the trails are lit up, is overwhelmingly recommended. Also, a strong sulfur smell can permeate the air depending on the wind direction. As the scent can easily transfer to clothes and hair, it’s best to avoid wearing your favorite expensive garments and opt for clothes you don’t mind getting a smell on. During rainy days or snowy seasons, the wooden boardwalks can be slippery, so make sure to wear comfortable sneakers for your stroll.
Oyunumagawa Natural Footbath
📍 Address: Noboribetsu Onsen-cho, Noboribetsu-shi, Hokkaido 059-0551, Japan A short walk from Jigokudani, ‘Oyunumagawa Natural Footbath’ is one of Noboribetsu’s premier healing spots. This is a nationally rare location where high-temperature hot spring water, flowing from ‘Oyunuma’ (an eruption crater of Mt. Hiyoriyama, with approx. 130-degree sulfur springs gushing from its bottom), cools to a pleasant temperature as it flows down a natural river, forming a natural footbath. 【Deep enjoyment tips for travelers】From the Oyunuma parking lot, a less-than-10-minute walk along a boardwalk through a dense forest reveals a milky emerald-green river. While wooden decks are provided along the river, when it’s crowded, sitting on rocks a little further down the riverbank and soaking your feet ‘wildly’ amidst untouched nature is a unique way to enjoy it. It’s free to use 24 hours a day, and cushioning mats for sitting are provided, but bringing your own towel to dry your feet is essential. As it’s a natural river, the temperature can vary greatly depending on the weather and season, which is a real-world aspect. Especially in mid-winter, while the snowy scenery is breathtaking, the water can be so cool it’s ‘lukewarm’ or even ‘cold.’ Nevertheless, the contrast between the silent, snow-covered forest and the rising steam is a stunning view worth visiting even if you don’t dip your feet in.
Sengen Park
📍 Address: 76 Noboribetsu Onsen-cho, Noboribetsu-shi, Hokkaido 059-0551, Japan Sengen Park is a small plaza located in the heart of Noboribetsu Onsen town, diagonally opposite ‘Dai-ichi Takimotokan.’ It was developed in 1996 on the site of a former hotel to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Noboribetsu Onsen’s opening. While it’s a place you can casually drop by during your stroll, its main highlight is undeniably the ‘Geyser.’ 【Deep enjoyment tips for travelers】Approximately every three hours, about 80-degree hot water erupts with a roar and a massive amount of steam, reaching an impressive height of 8 meters. The eruption lasts for about 50 minutes, so if your timing is right, you can experience the overwhelming energy of the Earth up close. Furthermore, nine colorful ‘Oni no Kanabo’ (demon’s iron clubs) monuments are scattered throughout the park. These are known as the ‘Yukijin’s Nine Kanabo,’ and each color of club is believed to bring different blessings, such as good luck in work or success in love. Interestingly, only eight clubs are visible above ground; the ninth club (Gohōdosei – fulfillment of all wishes), said to have the strongest power, is ‘secretly buried underground where the nine clubs intersect (directly beneath the compass dial),’ a rather niche and intriguing hidden detail.
Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura (Historic Village)
📍 Address: 53-1 Nakanoboribetsu-cho, Noboribetsu-shi, Hokkaido 059-0463, Japan You might wonder, ‘Why Edo period in Hokkaido?’ The truth is, Noboribetsu was pioneered by descendants of ‘Katakura Kojuro,’ a samurai warlord known as the right-hand man of Date Masamune of the Sendai Domain. Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura, a cultural theme park that perfectly recreates an Edo-period townscape, was created based on this historical background. 【Deep enjoyment tips for travelers】Step inside, and you’ll find samurai residences, ninja fortresses, and merchant houses lining the streets, making you feel completely transported back in time. The greatest attraction here is undoubtedly the incredibly high-quality shows. The ‘Ninja Show,’ in particular, features spectacular action that can be enjoyed even without understanding the language, and it has garnered enthusiastic support from inbound tourists in recent years. When watching a show, preparing ‘ohineri’ (small change) to throw to the performers is a stylish way to enjoy it like a true Edo-era local. The wrapping paper is often sold or distributed within the theater, so be sure to participate. While enjoying snacks around the village (like sanshoku dango) is fun, outdoor theme parks in winter Hokkaido can be bitterly cold, so make sure to take thorough precautions against the cold.
Noboribetsu Marine Park Nixe
📍 Address: 1-22 Noboribetsu Higashi-machi, Noboribetsu-shi, Hokkaido 059-0492, Japan ‘Noboribetsu Marine Park Nixe,’ located close to Noboribetsu Station, is a great addition to your hot spring town sightseeing. Its exterior is modeled after the real medieval moated castle ‘Egeskov Castle’ in Denmark, with the beautiful white Nixe Castle, seemingly straight out of a fairy tale, serving as the main aquarium building. 【Deep enjoyment tips for travelers】Inside, thrilling exhibits greet you, such as looking down at sharks swimming directly beneath you as you ascend an escalator, and an 8-meter-high crystal tower tank. The beauty of the ‘Galaxy Tank,’ where 10,000 sardines swim in formation with lights and music, is absolutely stunning. Also, don’t miss the ‘Penguin Parade’ (held year-round, twice a day), where penguins waddle across the park’s plaza. There are various attractions like dolphin and sea lion shows, but they are designed with a very thoughtful schedule to ‘prevent show times from overlapping.’ By carefully checking the timetable upon entry, you can conquer all performances without waste, guaranteed to boost your satisfaction.
