Noboribetsu

Noboribetsu (登別) is a city in Iburi, Hokkaido, Japan. For most visitors the main target is the hot spring village of Noboribetsu Onsen (登別温泉), 6 km inland from Noboribetsu. The vast majority of (Japanese) tourists are drawn to the 11 types of water found in the local hot springs. Water contains sulfur and iron.

Noboribetsu comprises the nearby towns of Noboribetsu, Horobetsu and Washibetsu.

The local tourist association has a multilingual guide site.

The nearest airport is Sapporo's New Chitose Airport, served by Donan Bus direct to Noboribetsu (¥1,170). You can also take a train directly from the airport.

42.45195141.1805731 Noboribetsu station (登別駅).  (updated Sep 2025) is centrally located in Noboribetsu town and 5.5km from the Onsen. Take a local bus (which might not connect well with the train), or a local taxi (￥2000 in 2025) to get to the Onsen. Limited express service is frequent (approximately hourly).

Take the limited express Hokuto from Hakodate (2h 30min). From Tohoku and the rest of Japan, change for the Hokuto at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto. Note that seat reservations are mandatory.

Take the limited express Hokuto or Suzuran from JR Sapporo station (1h 20min). Seat reservations are mandatory.

If you're looking for a cheaper alternative than the train, these two companies run services from Sapporo:

• Chūō bus (中央). From Sapporo train station and Chūō bus terminal (中央バスターミナル, chūō basu tāminaru) to Noboribetsu bus stop 350 m away north-west from Noboribetsu train station. ¥2280.  (updated Nov 2025)
• Dōnan Bus (道南バス). From Sapporo train station, 2 stops in Noboribetsu-onsen. ¥2500.  (updated Nov 2025)

Local buses leave from in front of the Noboribetsu JR station twice-hourly. Takes about 20 minutes to reach the Onsen.

The main sights of Noboribetsu Onsen can be seen easily on foot. Sensible footwear is highly advisable as this area gets a lot of snow. Some of the paths around Hell Valley can be impassable even in Spring.

• 42.497528141.1486671 Hell Valley (地獄谷 Jigokudani). Sulphurous volcanic pits and geysers. Included in the Japanese Ministry of Environment`s top 100 areas of fragrance and scenery!  (updated Aug 2017)
• 42.490167141.159252 Bear Farm (クマ牧場 Kumabokujō). The small, crowded enclosures in which the bears are kept may be disturbing to Western visitors. ¥3000 including return funicular ride.  (updated Nov 2025)
• 42.454972141.1821943 Marine Park Nixe (マリンパークニクス, marin pāku nikusu). Aquarium built like a Danish castle, with a small amusement park bolted on.  (updated Aug 2017)
• 42.463889141.1606674 Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura (登別伊達時代村). Theme park about Edo era.  
• Oyunuma (大湯沼). A roughly 1-km-circumference volcanic lake formed by an eruption of Mt Hiyori. Sulphurous water rises from springs around 130°C at the bottom of the lake, while the surface is typically around 40–50°C. A particularly atmospheric extension of the Hell Valley walk, with several short paths and viewpoints around the lake. (updated Oct 2026)
• Mt Hiyori (日和山)). A 377-metre active volcano immediately above Oyunuma, still emitting white volcanic smoke. Short trails and viewpoints around Oyunuma provide views of the volcano and the surrounding volcanic landscape (updated Oct 2026)
• 42.495056141.1440565 Noboribetsu Onsen (登別温泉). One of Japan's best-known hot-spring resorts, centred on the volcanic springs of Jigokudani. The compact town has numerous ryokan, hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops, and is particularly atmospheric in the evening when staying overnight.  (updated Oct 2026)

The volcanic area around Jigokudani and Oyunuma has considerably more walking than the usual visit to Hell Valley suggests. The main paths are short and generally easy, so they can be combined into a 1–2 hour walk rather than treated as separate attractions. The local walking map lists the Jigokudani Pathway (568 m/10 min), Oyunuma Pathways (298 m/10 min and 444 m/10 min), Funamiyama paths (599 m/20 min and 229 m/7 min), and the Oyunuma Scenic Pathway (388 m/15 min). Allow considerably longer than the quoted walking times if stopping at viewpoints. (2)

A typical walk is Jigokudani → Oyunuma → Oyunuma viewpoints → Oyunuma River Natural Footbath, returning through the forest paths. The footbath is particularly pleasant after the walk, although access to the Oyunuma River path should be checked locally because closures occur.

Noboribetsu is famous for the variety of its hot-spring waters, and bathing is arguably the main reason to stay overnight.

• Dai-Ichi Takimotokan (第一滝本館), ☏ +81-0143-84-2111. This famous hotel makes a credible claim to being the largest spa in Asia. ¥2,250 gets you one day's access to the 29 large baths, the largest of which is nearly 4,950 m² in size. Day-visitors must exit before 9pm. (updated Nov 2025)
• 42.492237141.143071 Yumoto Sagiriyu (夢元さぎり湯). A much cheaper and more local alternative to the large hotel baths. This public bath uses two types of natural hot-spring water and is the only bath in Noboribetsu Onsen offering alum spring water. ¥500, 09:00–21:00, last admission 20:30. (2)  (updated Oct 2026)

• Other hotel baths. Several Noboribetsu hotels accept non-guests for daytime bathing, including Noboribetsu Grand Hotel, Sekisuitei, Noboribetsu Manseikaku and Hotel Yumoto Noboribetsu. Prices and hours vary, so check on the day. (2/3)

The town has plenty of souvenir shops and there is an abundance of demon related paraphernalia to take home. Bath salts are also very popular. Keep an eye out for locally made beer, the cans come in blue or red and have a demon motif.

• Fukuan (福庵), 30 Noboribetsuonsencho, ☏ +81 143-84-2758. soba restaurant. (updated Apr 2018)

• 42.45294141.179331 Noboribetsu Guest House AKA & AO (登別ゲストハウス赤と青) (a minute from the Noboribetsu JR station), ☏ +81 143-83-7680, info@aka-ao.jp. Check-in: 15:00-22:00, check-out: 07:00-10:00. Opened in 2018, this is a modern hostel with capsule-like dormitory beds. This is in Noboribetsu, not the Onsen. ¥4,000.  (updated Nov 2018)
• 42.496141.1412 Kiyomizu-ya, 173 Noboribetsuonsencho, ☏ +81 143-84-2145. Check-in: 14:00-19:00, check-out: 10:00. Ryokan. ¥30000.  (updated Aug 2025)

• Muroran
• Shiraoi
• Tomakomai
• Chitose
• Toyako
• Sobetsu
• Sapporo
• Oshamambe
• Hidaka

Tomakomai ← Shiraoi ←	N  S	→ Muroran → Oshamambe
Sapporo ← Shiraoi ←	N  S	→ Muroran → Oshamambe