Noboribetsu: Hokkaido's Hot Spring Valley

Plan a relaxing visit to Noboribetsu Onsen: Hell Valley boardwalks, Oyunuma lake, friendly oni statues, mineral baths and easy access from Sapporo.

Published October 17, 2026 at 9:10 PM JST | By Tokyo Paul

Quick answer: Noboribetsu Onsen is Hokkaido's largest hot spring town, known for the steaming volcanic crater of Jigokudani (Hell Valley), the crater lake Oyunuma and many mineral baths. It is about an hour and fifteen minutes by limited express from Sapporo, plus a short bus ride.

Steam, Sulfur and a Very Warm Welcome

Noboribetsu Onsen is the kind of place where you smell the adventure before you see it. Pale steam drifts up between the trees, a faint scent of sulfur hangs in the air, and the streets are dotted with cheerful statues of oni, the horned figures of Japanese folklore. It is the largest hot spring town in Hokkaido, set in a forested river valley about six kilometers inland from the Pacific coast. Visitors come for the baths, the dramatic volcanic scenery of Hell Valley, and the easygoing atmosphere of a traditional onsen resort.

Noboribetsu is especially popular when the weather turns cooler, because a hot soak feels wonderful on a brisk day, but it is a year-round destination. This guide explains what makes the springs so special, how to enjoy Jigokudani (Hell Valley) and Oyunuma pond, and how to get there from Sapporo or New Chitose Airport. As with any destination that depends on natural conditions, trails and facilities may change, so check local and official information before your trip.

A Town Within a National Park

Noboribetsu is a city in Iburi Subprefecture, southwest of Sapporo and northeast of Hakodate, with mountains to the west and north and plains stretching toward the sea. It forms part of Shikotsu-Toya National Park, a region of caldera lakes and volcanoes that became a national park in 1949. The park takes in lakes such as Shikotsu and Toya, and the hot spring resort lies just south of Lake Shikotsu. The name Noboribetsu comes from the Ainu language, in a phrase roughly meaning dark-colored river, a reminder of the area's deep indigenous roots.

What makes the resort remarkable is variety. It is sometimes called a hot spring department store because many different kinds of mineral water emerge from the same volcanic landscape. Travel guides list sulfur, salt, iron, acidic iron, alum, mirabilite and sodium bicarbonate springs among them. Each type has its own color, scent and traditional reputation, and inns often pipe in several kinds, so guests can move from one pool to the next. Many ryokan, the traditional Japanese inns, have both indoor baths and outdoor rotenburo, which are open-air baths set among trees.

Walking Through Hell Valley

Jigokudani, or Hell Valley, is the star attraction, though the name is meant to describe its fiery look rather than anything frightening. It is a volcanic crater just above the town, around 450 meters across, where steaming vents, orange and gray rock and bubbling pools create a scene that feels like another planet. A network of boardwalks leads through the valley, so visitors can walk safely, look out over the steaming slopes and take photographs from several viewpoints. Entry to the walkways is free, and it takes only about five to fifteen minutes to walk from the bus terminal to the valley.

The valley is also the source of much of the town's hot water, which is carried through pipes to the baths of hotels and inns. That is one reason the springs here are so varied and plentiful. Sulfur is the most noticeable scent, so do not be surprised if your clothes hold a faint smell afterward. Wear shoes with good grip, because boardwalks can be damp, and stay on the marked paths and behind barriers. Hot gas and steam are part of the show, so enjoy it from the places designated for visitors.

Oyunuma Pond and the Friendly Oni

From Hell Valley, forest trails lead on to Oyunuma, a gourd-shaped crater lake with pale, steaming, sulfur-rich water. The surface temperature is around 50 degrees Celsius, so it is for looking, not swimming. A short walk along the stream that flows from it brings you to the Oyunuma River Natural Footbath, where warm water between about 40 and 50 degrees flows through the forest. Bring a small towel and dip your feet if the temperature suits you. It is one of the nicest free experiences in the area, especially after a long walk.

The oni are the town's playful mascots, appearing as statues at the entrance and along the streets, and they are presented in a cheerful way that children tend to love. At the Enma-do shrine, a mechanical figure of King Enma, the judge of the underworld in Buddhist tradition, changes expression during scheduled performances. A local beer named after the oni is a popular souvenir. Together, these touches give the resort a playful personality that families and couples both enjoy.

Soaking, Etiquette and Getting There

Onsen etiquette is simple and friendly. Wash and rinse thoroughly at the washing stations before entering the bath, keep towels out of the water, tie up long hair, and enter the baths without swimwear. Many visitors choose a stay at a ryokan, but day-use baths known as higaeri onsen are available at some facilities for a modest fee. Policies on tattoos vary by establishment, so check ahead if this applies to you, and consider a private bath, called kashikiri, if you prefer more space. Drink water before and after bathing, and rest if you feel dizzy.

Reaching the resort is easy. From JR Sapporo Station, a limited express train takes about an hour and fifteen minutes to JR Noboribetsu Station. From there, a local bus takes about fifteen minutes to the Noboribetsu Onsen bus terminal. A direct bus also runs from New Chitose Airport and takes just over an hour. By car, the resort is about ten minutes from the Noboribetsu-Higashi interchange on the Hokkaido Expressway, and about sixty minutes from New Chitose Airport. Bring some cash for bus fares and small shops, and in winter wear boots with good traction.

If you have extra time, the national park offers more scenery nearby. Lake Shikotsu and Lake Toya are both caldera lakes and make good additions for a longer Hokkaido itinerary. Staying overnight lets you enjoy the baths at a slower pace. Starting early in the morning also helps you see Hell Valley before the busiest part of the day.

Quick Takeaways

Noboribetsu Onsen is Hokkaido's biggest hot spring resort, famous for the steaming volcanic landscape of Hell Valley, the pale blue crater lake of Oyunuma and a wide range of mineral baths. The oni statues and the Enma-do shrine add humor and local flavor. The walk through the valley is free, the footbath is simple and relaxing, and the town is easy to reach from Sapporo or the airport.

Pack a small towel, wear grippy shoes, and give yourself time to soak at an inn. A calm, unhurried visit is the best way to enjoy this warm corner of Hokkaido. Have a wonderful stay.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Noboribetsu from Sapporo?

Take a limited express train from JR Sapporo Station to JR Noboribetsu Station, which takes about an hour and fifteen minutes. From there, a local bus takes about fifteen minutes to the Noboribetsu Onsen bus terminal.

Is Hell Valley free to visit?

Yes, walking the boardwalks through Jigokudani is free. It takes about five to fifteen minutes to walk from the bus terminal to the valley. Wear shoes with good grip, stay on marked paths and follow any posted notices.

What kinds of hot springs does Noboribetsu have?

The resort is called a hot spring department store because it offers many mineral types, including sulfur, salt, iron, acidic iron, alum, mirabilite and sodium bicarbonate springs. Many ryokan have both indoor and outdoor baths.

Keep Exploring

More guides from Tokyo Paul: Rishiri and Rebun: Hokkaido's Northern Island Escape, Kenrokuen: Kanazawa's Garden of Six Attributes and Gokayama: Toyama's Quiet Gassho Villages.