Noboribetsu Onsen is Hokkaido's most famous hot spring town, built beside Jigokudani ("Hell Valley"), a dramatic volcanic crater of steaming vents, sulfurous pools and barren orange-and-grey rock. It's an easy day trip or overnight from Sapporo (about 1 hour 15 minutes by limited express train, covered by the Japan Rail Pass, plus a short bus ride). Spend your time walking the Hell Valley boardwalks, hiking to the steaming Lake Oyunuma and its natural river footbath, soaking in a mineral-rich onsen, and spotting the town's famous demon (oni) statues. Allow at least half a day; an overnight stay in a ryokan is even better.
If you're planning a trip to Hokkaido and wondering whether Noboribetsu is worth the detour, this guide is for you. Whether you're a nature lover chasing otherworldly landscapes, an onsen enthusiast looking for the real deal, or simply someone who wants a memorable day trip from Sapporo, Noboribetsu delivers. The challenge most visitors face is working out how to fit it in: how to get there, what's actually worth seeing, and how much time to allow. This guide answers all of that, so you can plan with confidence.
Hokkaido may be best known as a brilliant winter destination for snow sports. Still, it's also home to some fascinating natural attractions — and few are as dramatic as the aptly named Hell Valley. Close to the lovely hot spring resorts of Noboribetsu Onsen, Hell Valley offers striking volcanic scenery and plenty of opportunities to relax and unwind. Here's everything you need to know to see it for yourself, all reachable with your Japan Rail Pass.
What and Where Is Noboribetsu?
Noboribetsu City lies on the south coast of Hokkaido, roughly halfway between Sapporo and Hakodate. But it's the town of Noboribetsu Onsen, inland to the north, that will most interest international travellers — this is the hot spring resort town that sits right beside Hell Valley, and where you'll find the ryokan, restaurants, and the trailheads to all the main attractions.
Noboribetsu Onsen is one of Japan's most celebrated hot spring towns, drawing around 2.8 million visitors a year. It's part of the Shikotsu-Toya National Park, a region sometimes nicknamed a "volcanic museum" for its concentration of craters, lakes and geothermal wonders.
Hell Valley (Jigokudani): The Main Event
Of the many hot springs that supply water to Noboribetsu Onsen, most come from an area called Jigokudani. This vast crater lies just above the town and is a hotbed of volcanic activity that has left it looking like a bleak, alien landscape. Hissing vents, a lingering smell of sulfur, bright yellow and orange mineral streaks, and barren grey rock have earned this attraction its nickname: Hell Valley.
(The name also helpfully distinguishes it from the other famous Jigokudani in Honshu — home to the adorable hot-spring-bathing snow monkeys. Two Hell Valleys, two very different experiences!)
Jigokudani is a crater formed by the eruption of the Kuttara volcano, roughly 450 metres across, and it gushes an astonishing 10,000 tons of hot spring water every day — the source that feeds the baths of almost every ryokan in town. It's been designated a "Hokkaido Heritage" site to protect it for future generations.
The best part for visitors: a network of well-maintained boardwalks and walking trails lets you wander safely right through the steaming landscape. The main boardwalk from the entrance takes you out over the vents and pools, with interpretive signs and viewpoints along the way. Bring your camera — the otherworldly scenery is genuinely unlike anywhere else, and it's one of the most photogenic spots in all of Hokkaido.
Tessen Pond and the Geyser
If you follow the boardwalk to the far end of Hell Valley, you'll reach Tessen Pond (Tessenike) — the valley's largest spring and a natural intermittent geyser. The pool sits calm for a while, then bubbles up and boils, with the cycle repeating roughly every few minutes. The water here can reach scorching temperatures, so admire it from the safety of the viewing platform.
Back in the middle of town, on the way up to Jigokudani, you'll also pass Gensen Park, where a natural geyser sends steam billowing dramatically over the road. It's steamy, noisy, smells strongly of sulfur — and is undeniably cool. Walk down the steps to get closer to the action.
Lake Oyunuma and the River Footbath
It's important to understand that Hell Valley isn't the only place of thermal activity around Noboribetsu Onsen. From the valley, visitors can follow forest trails to several other thermal spots — the most spectacular being Lake Oyunuma.
Rather than a barren landscape with jets of steam, Oyunuma is a steaming, sulfurous crater lake with an equally inhospitable beauty. It's gourd-shaped, with a surface temperature of around 50°C (and far hotter water bubbling up from the bottom). You can view it from the car park or from a small hilltop lookout, with the white steam drifting beautifully across the blue-grey water.
Those who want a more hands-on experience should continue on from Lake Oyunuma to the Oyunuma River Natural Footbath. This river flows from the lake and has a lovely surface temperature of around 40–50°C — and there's a spot in the forest where you can sit on the bank, roll up your trousers, and soak your tired feet in the naturally warm, mineral-rich water. After a morning of walking, it's pure bliss. (Bring a small towel!)
Noboribetsu Bear Park
Up above the town, reached by a roughly 7-minute ropeway ride from Noboribetsu Onsen, sits the Noboribetsu Bear Park — home to a large population of Ezo brown bears native to Hokkaido. As well as the bears themselves, the ropeway ride offers lovely views over Lake Kuttara and the surrounding mountains. It's a popular family attraction, though worth noting it's a traditional-style animal park, so it may not be to everyone's taste.
The Demons of Noboribetsu
You can't visit Noboribetsu without noticing the demons — or oni. All over town, you'll find statues of these horned, club-wielding figures from Japanese folklore, said to inhabit Hell Valley. They've become the town's beloved mascots, and tracking them down makes a fun photo scavenger hunt as you explore.
Look out for the giant demon statues at the entrance to town, the Enma-do shrine featuring a mechanical King Enma (the ruler of the underworld, whose face dramatically transforms during scheduled shows), and the various demon-themed souvenirs — including the local "Oni Densetsu" (Demon Legend) beer, a fun local craft brew to try.
Soaking in the Onsen
For all its dramatic scenery, the real reason many Japanese visitors come to Noboribetsu is simple: the onsen. The mineral-rich waters from Jigokudani filter into the town's hotels and bathhouses, and Noboribetsu is famous for offering an unusual variety of spring types in one place — sulfur springs, salt springs, iron springs and more, each said to have different restorative benefits.
After a day of walking the trails, sinking into a hot bath — ideally an outdoor rotenburo surrounded by nature — is the perfect way to end your visit. Even if you're only here for the day, several ryokan and bathhouses offer day-use bathing (higaeri onsen) for a small fee, so you don't have to stay overnight to enjoy a soak.
How to Get to Noboribetsu
International visitors will be pleased to learn that it's relatively easy to reach Noboribetsu Onsen and Hell Valley with the JR Pass.
From Sapporo:
- Take a Limited Express train (Hokuto or Suzuran) from JR Sapporo Station to JR Noboribetsu Station — about 1 hour 15 minutes.
- From JR Noboribetsu Station, take the local Donan Bus (about 15 minutes, around ¥350 — not covered by the JR Pass) up to the Noboribetsu Onsen bus terminal
- From the bus terminal, it's a short 5–15 minute walk to Jigokudani
From New Chitose Airport (Sapporo's main airport):
- There's a direct Donan Bus between New Chitose Airport and Noboribetsu Onsen (just over 1 hour), or you can take a JR train to Noboribetsu Station and connect by bus as above
Regional pass option: If you're focusing on this corner of Hokkaido, the JR Hokkaido Sapporo-Noboribetsu Area Pass (4 consecutive days) can be a good value — see our regional passes guide.
When to Visit
Noboribetsu is a year-round destination, but each season offers something different:
Autumn (late September–October) — arguably the best time, when the forest around Hell Valley blazes with red and gold foliage against the steaming vents. Spectacular
Winter (December–March) — snow blankets the valley while the vents keep steaming, creating a magical contrast; and there's nothing better than an outdoor onsen surrounded by snow
Spring and summer — lush greenery, comfortable hiking weather, and fewer crowds than peak autumn
Tips for Making the Most of Your Visit
A few personal pointers to round out your trip:
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If you have extra time, consider staying overnight. Day trips from Sapporo work well, but Noboribetsu truly comes into its own in the evening — when the day-trippers have left, the town is quiet, and you can soak in your ryokan's baths under the stars. The classic kaiseki dinners at the onsen ryokan are a highlight in themselves
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If you're visiting in winter, pack proper footwear. The boardwalks can be icy, and you'll be doing more walking than you might expect between the valley, Lake Oyunuma and the footbath. Warm, grippy boots make all the difference
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If you enjoy a hike, do the full Oyunuma loop. Many visitors stop at Hell Valley itself, but the forest trail onward to Lake Oyunuma and the river footbath is where the real magic is — and it's much quieter
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Don't skip the footbath, even on a day trip. Soaking your feet in the warm river after walking the trails is the kind of small, perfect travel moment you'll remember long after
- Bring cash for the bus and small purchases. The local bus and some smaller shops are cash-friendly rather than card-friendly
Ready to Plan Your Hell Valley Trip?
So, to recap: Noboribetsu Onsen is Hokkaido's most famous hot spring town, and it's an easy, rewarding addition to any Hokkaido itinerary. The headline act is Hell Valley (Jigokudani) — a dramatic, steaming volcanic crater you can explore on safe boardwalks. Beyond it, you've got the steaming Lake Oyunuma and its blissful river footbath, the Bear Park, the town's charming demon statues, and of course the mineral-rich onsen that make the whole place so restorative. It's reachable in around 1 hour 15 minutes from Sapporo by limited express train with your Japan Rail Pass, plus a short bus ride.
Whether you come for a half-day, a full day, or an overnight ryokan stay, Noboribetsu offers one of the most distinctive experiences in all of Hokkaido — a place where you can stare into a steaming "hell" in the morning and soak in heavenly hot springs by night. Grab your Japan Rail Pass, check the train times, and start planning. Hokkaido's Hell Valley is waiting.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do I get to Noboribetsu from Sapporo?
Take a Limited Express train (Hokuto or Suzuran) from Sapporo Station to JR Noboribetsu Station — about 1 hour 15 minutes, covered by the Japan Rail Pass. Then take the local Donan Bus (~15 minutes, ~¥350) to the Noboribetsu Onsen bus terminal, from where Hell Valley is a short walk.
2. Is Hell Valley covered by the Japan Rail Pass?
The train journey to JR Noboribetsu Station is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass. The short local bus from the station up to Noboribetsu Onsen (around ¥350) is not covered and is paid separately. Entry to Hell Valley itself is free.
3. How long should I spend in Noboribetsu?
Allow at least half a day to see Hell Valley, Lake Oyunuma and the river footbath. A full day lets you add the Bear Park, the demon statues and a relaxed onsen soak. For the best experience, stay overnight in a ryokan and enjoy the town once the day-trippers have left.
4. Is it the same as the snow monkey Jigokudani?
No — this is a common mix-up! Noboribetsu's Jigokudani ("Hell Valley") in Hokkaido is a volcanic crater landscape. The snow monkey Jigokudani is in Nagano Prefecture on Honshu, where macaques bathe in hot springs. They share a name (both mean "Hell Valley") but are completely different places.
5. Can I bathe in the onsen if I have tattoos?
Policies vary by establishment. Some Noboribetsu ryokan and bathhouses are tattoo-friendly, while others are not. It's always best to check directly with your chosen ryokan before booking, or look for places offering private baths (kashikiri) if you'd prefer privacy.
6. What's the best time of year to visit Noboribetsu?
Autumn (late September to October) is spectacular for the foliage around Hell Valley, while winter offers magical snowy scenery and the joy of an outdoor onsen in the cold. Spring and summer are quieter and great for hiking. It's genuinely a year-round destination.
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