2016 Hokkaido Winter Holiday - Day 7 in Noboribetsu
Tuesday, August 1, 2017
Click here to read day 1, day 2, day 3, day 4, day 5, day 6, day 7, day 8 trip report
What to see in Noboribetsu Onsen
Jigokudani aka Hell Valley. This is by far my most favorite attraction in Hokkaido.
Further down from Hell valley is the Oyunuma natural foot bath.
The walk from Jigokudani to foot bath is spectacular.
Noboribetsu is a small town with lots of onsen hotels around. The room we booked in Takinoya was not cheap (JPY 80,000 per night for 2 including dinner and breakfast), so we decided to spend as much time possible in the room to fully enjoy the facility. We went back to ryokan after our visit to Hell Valley.
In room private onsen.
Private balcony.
Huge room, it's as big as a smaller version of 3-bedroom HDB in Singapore.
Getting here and around
We took direct bus from Lake Toya Donan bus terminal to Noboribetsu. It's a highway bus and took only 1.5 hour to reach Noboribetsu. Alternatively, you can also take Donan bus in front of Noboribetsu station to Noboribetsu.
Noborobetsu is one of the top onsen resort in Japan. It's very commercialized due to its popularity. I choose to stay in onsen ryokan Takinoya instead of onsen hotel like Daiichi Takimotokan and Noboribetsu Grand Hotel.
We took direct bus from Lake Toya Donan bus terminal to Noboribetsu. It's a highway bus and took only 1.5 hour to reach Noboribetsu. Alternatively, you can also take Donan bus in front of Noboribetsu station to Noboribetsu.
Noborobetsu is one of the top onsen resort in Japan. It's very commercialized due to its popularity. I choose to stay in onsen ryokan Takinoya instead of onsen hotel like Daiichi Takimotokan and Noboribetsu Grand Hotel.
What to see in Noboribetsu Onsen
Jigokudani aka Hell Valley. This is by far my most favorite attraction in Hokkaido.
Sulfur smell all over the valley but it's bearable.
I enjoy the scenery here and I love hiking here. Wear a pair of good hiking shoes, road can be icy and slippery during winter. It's not difficult to navigate, you can always refer to the display map at every junction. Also, keep a look out for lookout points for photography. Each lookout point has different awesome view.
I went back again at 3pm to capture photo of Hell Valley at dusk. The light at dawn and dusk is magical.
Further down from Hell valley is the Oyunuma natural foot bath.
No entrance fee, just come here, sit down and relax.
The walk from Jigokudani to foot bath is spectacular.
Noboribetsu is a small town with lots of onsen hotels around. The room we booked in Takinoya was not cheap (JPY 80,000 per night for 2 including dinner and breakfast), so we decided to spend as much time possible in the room to fully enjoy the facility. We went back to ryokan after our visit to Hell Valley.
In room private onsen.
Private balcony.
Huge room, it's as big as a smaller version of 3-bedroom HDB in Singapore.
Here is my Hokkaido trip video