Noboribetsu Onsen is a hot spring resort area known for its onsen experience and scenic surroundings. It is not to be confused with Noboribetsu town, which is a bus ride away from the Noboribetsu Onsen bus terminal.

I spent two nights at Noboribetsu Onsen, and it was a relaxing experience.

See below for some of my stories, which can hopefully help prepare your visit to Noboribetsu.

• 1. Choose a nice resort
• 2. Visit Hell’s Valley (Jigokudani)
• 3. Stroll along Noboribetsu Onsen town centre
• 4. Getting to Noboribetsu Onsen from New Chitose Airport
• 5. From Noboribetsu Onsen and around

1. Choose a nice resort

The highlight of Noboribetsu Onsen is its hot springs, so selecting a comfortable resort should be a priority.

I enjoyed my stay at Daiichi Takimotokan, which offers a variety of hot springs with different mineral contents, as well as indoor and outdoor onsen. Onsen is not pictured for obvious reason, however, you can see their website to see how it looks like. I have to say that this was the best onsen I’ve ever been to. Beautiful view, clean, complete amenities, and huge.

The town center is just a step away from the resort’s entrance door, where you can find charming shops and drugstores. Meanwhile, a 5-7 minute walk to the opposite direction from the resort takes you to Hell’s Valley, which leads us now to point number two.

2. Visit Hell’s Valley (Jigokudani)

Hell’s Valley, or Jigokudani, is an iconic landscape shaped by volcanic activity. You’re going to see steaming vents, sulfurous streams, and rugged terrain, creating a stunning view.

In March, snow may still cover the valley, offering a striking contrast with the blue sky and amber terrain. You can walk along the wooden pathways to admire the view from up close. There is also a park in the area where you can chill (or take photos if you’re coming in March, since it would still be covered in snow ☃️).

3. Stroll along Noboribetsu Onsen town centre

The town center is small but charming, with many delightful shops. Fujisaki Wasabi, a shop selling fresh wasabi, is popular in the area and their products were available at the resort too. Across from it is a BBQ restaurant open late into the night, where I dined twice for dinner. I also enjoyed the dairy dessert place where I tasted a cup of warm Hokkaido milk—it was incredibly creamy!

See below for the list of restaurants I liked (with Google Maps):

🤍 Dinner: Isekura | Highlights: BBQ (seafood, steak), ramen, friendly staffs.

🤍 Lunch: Fukuan Soba | Highlights: most delicious cold soba, you may have to wait in line.

🤍 Milk, Dairy-based Desserts: Milky House | Highlights: came here twice for the milk.

There are also several drugstores along the main strip, where you can find hydrating sheet masks to use after soaking in the onsen ☺️

4. Getting to Noboribetsu Onsen from New Chitose Airport

I went straight from New Chitose Airport to Daiichi Takimotokan, Noboribetsu Onsen. I pre-booked the bus one day in advance from WILLER website, costing 5400 yen per person. I was flying with JAL and so I chose to depart from Bus Stop No. 2 at the airport— it’s located within a good walking distance from the arrival gate.

The bus stopped at Noboribetsu Onsen Bus Terminal before finally making the stop in front of Daiichi Takimotokan resort.

5. From Noboribetsu Onsen and around

Noboribetsu Onsen does not have a train station. The closest JR train station is in Noboribetsu town, which is about 20-minute bus ride from the Noboribetsu Onsen bus terminal (top photo). Noboribetsu train station may not be that huge, but the staffs were very helpful and kind.

Please note that Noboribetsu station does not have any lifts, and the departure gate opens 5 to 7 minutes before departure, depending on which platform your train uses. For instance, if you take a train bound for Hakodate, you must climb up the stairs, cross over the tracks, and go down the stairs to reach the opposite platform; while trains bound for Sapporo depart from the same side you enter.

This means you need to move quickly, so I recommend not bringing too many luggage. Or alternatively, you can always use a luggage courier service to send your bags to your next destination.

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There’s also some other attractions like Noboribetsu Bear Park, Noboribetsu Date Jidai Village, and probably a few more; which I didn’t visit last time. How about you? Is this your first time visiting Noboribetsu? Or have you been to Noboribetsu before? What are your favourite places to visit in Noboribetsu?

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See my Hokkaido Vlog here: 5 Days in Hokkaido

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