Noboribetsu is a hot spring town in Hokkaido, a train ride from Sapporo. Its main sight is a volcanic valley, where steam rises from vents and pools and the ground smells of sulphur. The town also has many hot spring baths. A day trip gives you the valley walk and a bath, but a night suits people who want to soak in the evening.
Getting there
Trains and buses run from Sapporo to Noboribetsu. The limited express train from Sapporo Station is the most direct choice. Buses can be useful too, but they run less often. Plan the return before you leave the town.
Check first: Train and bus times, the route and the fare. Use the operator's timetable, for example JR Hokkaido for the train. Do not use a fare from a blog.
For the Sapporo side of the trip, read the Sapporo guide. The train leaves from the Sapporo Station area.
Hell Valley
Jigokudani, or Hell Valley, is the main walk. Paths and boardwalks lead past steaming vents, bubbling ground and pools in grey and yellow. The sulphur smell can be strong, so take a moment to adjust to it. Stay on the paths, because the ground is hot and unstable in places.
Oyunuma is a larger pond near the valley, with a calm view of the water. It is a good place to stop, and the walk back down is easy. Check the trail signs, because some paths close after changes in the ground or in the weather.
Check first: Which trails are open, and whether any path near the vents is closed. Use the Noboribetsu tourism site and the signs at the valley entrance on the day.
The hot spring baths
Noboribetsu is known for its many hot spring baths. Many hotels and public baths welcome day visitors. Each bath has its own rules, its own opening hours and its own towel and changing arrangements.
Before you go in, check the bathing rules of each bath. These rules include the clothes you can wear, the washing before you enter, and any rules about tattoos. Read the signs at the entrance, and ask staff if you are not sure. This guide does not describe health effects of the water. Follow the advice of your doctor if you have a health question.
Where to stay
A night in a hotel lets you use the baths in the evening, and see the valley in the morning when the paths are quiet. Choose a place that fits your plan, and check its check-in time and its bath times before you book.
When to go
Spring and autumn are the most pleasant seasons for the valley walk. Summer is mild. Winter is cold, and snow and ice can make the paths slippery. In winter, bring good shoes with grip.
Who it suits
Couples often choose an evening in a hot spring hotel after the valley walk. Families can enjoy the valley paths and the steam, but keep children close to the vents and follow the signs. Plan rest stops for everyone.
Mistakes to avoid
The first mistake is leaving the bath too late. Check when the baths close, and when the last train or bus leaves the town.
The second mistake is leaving the paths. The ground near the vents can be hot, so stay on the marked routes.
The third mistake is wearing thin shoes in winter. The paths can be icy, so wear boots with good grip.
Safety on the paths
Keep to the marked paths and follow the signs near the vents. The ground and the water in the valley can be very hot, so do not touch the pools or the streams. Carry water for the walk, and wear shoes you can walk in for an hour or more.
If the weather turns, shorten the walk and go back to the town. The valley is open to the wind, and fog can come in quickly. A warm bath after a cold walk is one of the simplest pleasures of the day, so keep your plan flexible.
What to do next
Noboribetsu is a good day from Sapporo, and a night makes the trip slower and calmer. Read the Sapporo guide to plan your base, and open the planner to see how the hot springs fit with your other days in Hokkaido.
