Popular Sightseeing Tours in Noboribetsu

The most convenient way to travel from Sapporo to Noboribetsu is by taking the JR Limited Express train to Noboribetsu Station, then transferring to a local bus for about a 15-minute ride to the hot spring town. If budget is a concern, you can also opt for a highway bus that goes directly to Noboribetsu Onsen. Must-visit attractions for a day trip include the 'Jigokudani (Hell Valley)' with its sulfurous vents and misty atmosphere, where you can feel the pulse of the earth; 'Oyunuma Pond' offers a unique mud volcano landscape and a natural foot bath; additionally, 'Noboribetsu Bear Park' and 'Noboribetsu Marine Park Nixe' are great choices for families, allowing close encounters with cute animals and marine life, adding to the travel fun.

Noboribetsu is suitable for travel year-round, with each season offering unique charm. Spring allows you to enjoy the combination of fresh greenery and hot springs; summer is cool and pleasant, making it a great escape from the heat, and you can participate in the 'Jigokudani Oni Firework' event for a spectacular night-time display; autumn foliage paints the valley in brilliant colors, creating a picturesque scene; winter offers the ultimate enjoyment of soaking in hot springs amidst heavy snow, along with the 'Noboribetsu Onsen Yu Matsuri' to experience a festive atmosphere in the snowy landscape. Choosing the season that best suits your expectations will ensure a memorable experience in Noboribetsu.

Most hot spring hotels in Noboribetsu offer family-friendly facilities, such as spacious family rooms, indoor/outdoor children's play areas, or baby item rental services. Many hotels also provide a variety of dining options, including buffets or kaiseki meals, making dining easy for families. Don't miss out on local delicacies like 'Noboribetsu Enma Yakisoba', a unique regional dish. Furthermore, Hokkaido's abundant seafood is a major highlight; you can savor fresh sea urchin, crab, and scallops in the form of seafood rice bowls and sushi in the hot spring town. Warm soup curry and ramen are also great choices to warm you up on a cold day.

We recommend arriving in Noboribetsu on the first day, exploring natural landscapes like 'Jigokudani' and 'Oyunuma Pond' in the afternoon, and then checking into a hot spring hotel in the evening to enjoy a relaxing soak. On the second day, you can choose attractions in Noboribetsu such as 'Marine Park Nixe' or 'Bear Park' in the morning, have lunch, and then head to Lake Toya. Enjoy a scenic cruise on the lake and, if it's summer, watch the fireworks display along the shore in the evening. On the third day, you can visit 'Showa Shinzan' and 'Mount Usu' in the morning to experience the magnificent volcanic terrain, take a stroll around Lake Toya, and then proceed to your next destination or return to the airport. This itinerary balances natural beauty, theme parks, and hot spring experiences.

The main hiking trails in Jigokudani circle the vents. It is recommended to walk along the wooden boardwalk from the entrance to get a close-up view of the sulfurous eruptions. The paths are clearly marked and relatively flat, suitable for most visitors. You can extend your walk to 'Oyunuma Pond' and the 'Natural Foot Bath' to experience different volcanic landscapes. For photography, it's best to use the soft light of early morning or late afternoon to capture the mystical atmosphere of the steaming vents. A wide-angle lens can capture the grandeur of Jigokudani, while a macro lens can focus on details like fumaroles or sulfur crystals. In winter, the contrast between the red railings and the snow provides excellent photo opportunities.

To make your one-day trip to Noboribetsu smooth and efficient, it's recommended to group attractions together. In the morning, start with the iconic 'Jigokudani' to experience its grandeur and unique landscape, then walk to 'Oyunuma Pond' to admire the mud volcano and enjoy a relaxing 'foot bath'. In the afternoon, choose a theme park, such as 'Noboribetsu Marine Park Nixe' for spectacular marine life shows, or visit 'Noboribetsu Bear Park' to interact with cute brown bears. Before ending your day, you can buy souvenirs or have a simple meal in the hot spring town. If time permits, you can even experience a hot spring bath at one of the facilities. This arrangement maximizes your time and ensures you don't miss the key highlights.

Both Noboribetsu Onsen and Hakone Onsen are very suitable for family trips, but they have different characteristics. Noboribetsu is famous for its unique Jigokudani volcanic landscape, Marine Park Nixe, and Bear Park, creating a 'Land of Demons' atmosphere full of fantasy. For families who enjoy natural wonders and animal interactions, Noboribetsu is an exciting choice, with its diverse and potent hot spring waters. Hakone, on the other hand, is renowned for its rich culture, art, lake views, and distant views of Mt. Fuji. Activities like cruising Lake Ashi on a pirate ship and visiting the Hakone Open-Air Museum offer a variety of experiences. If you seek unique natural experiences and geothermal hot springs, Noboribetsu might be more appealing; if you prefer a blend of diverse cultural and natural landscapes, Hakone is a good option.

When planning your budget for Noboribetsu, consider transportation costs: JR Limited Express trains are relatively fast and convenient, while highway buses are generally more economical but take longer. Accommodation is a major expense; Noboribetsu Onsen offers a variety of hotels, from standard inns to luxury ryokans with extensive dining and facilities, with prices varying significantly by season, room type, and meal plans. For attraction tickets, the walking paths around Jigokudani are mostly free, but theme parks like Marine Park Nixe or Bear Park have fixed admission fees, which are best checked in advance. Overall, Noboribetsu offers great budget flexibility, allowing you to adjust according to your preferences and travel style.

Hokkaido boasts many charming hot spring towns. Besides Noboribetsu, Jozankei Onsen is located near Sapporo, known for its beautiful valleys and hot springs that change with the seasons, with autumn foliage being particularly stunning, and the Hoheikyo Dam nearby for sightseeing. Lake Toya Onsen attracts visitors with its magnificent lake scenery and summer fireworks display, with volcanic landscapes like Showa Shinzan and Mount Usu in close proximity. Furthermore, Niseko Onsen is famous as a ski resort, where you can enjoy winter snow activities followed by a relaxing soak. Each of these hot spring towns offers unique natural scenery and hot spring experiences to enrich your Hokkaido journey.

Winter in Noboribetsu is an excellent time to experience snow and hot springs. Jigokudani presents a unique and magnificent landscape under a blanket of snow, with the steaming vents appearing even more mysterious. Limited-time winter events include the annual 'Noboribetsu Onsen Yu Matsuri' held in February, where you can experience the local unique festival culture and feel the warmth and vitality. During this time, the hot spring town is also adorned with special snow decorations, adding a romantic atmosphere. Many travel agencies also offer exclusive winter tours, including transportation and guided excursions, allowing travelers to explore Noboribetsu's snowy scenery more easily and safely, and arrange visits to nearby winter landscapes like Lake Toya.