Noboribetsu | 登別市

We tried reserving our seats for a train towards Noboribetsu when we first arrived at Hakodate yesterday but we were told that it was fully-booked. When we got to Hakodate Station, we realised that there was a tour group who was queuing at the platform for the unreserved car as well. We waited in line for the train to arrive and we were lucky to be able to get a seat on the unreserved car.

We alighted at Noboribetsu Station and deposited our bags at the station. Bus return-tickets to Noboribetsu Onsen can be bought at the JR-Ticketing Counter but we did not get them as we were rushing to board the bus that was leaving the station.

If you are visiting Jigokudani (Hell Valley), alight at “第一滝本前” (2 stops later) instead of alighting at Noboribetsu Onsen Bus Terminal. The first thing that will hit you once you alight is the strong sulphur smell that fills the air. We got used to the smell after a while.

Next to the bus stop lies Sengen Park. There is a geyser inside the small park that erupt at intervals of approximately three hours apart. We were lucky to witness the eruption when we departed from the bus.

The entrance of Noboribetsu Park is just opposite Sengen Park. Noboribetsu Park is home to Jigokudani, Lake Oyunma and a few other nature trails.

Jigokudani (also known as hell valley) embodies the main source of hot spring water which the Noboribetsu Onsen town uses. It is a valley with hot steam vents, sulphurous steams and other geothermal activity.

We went on to the Oyunuma Nature Trail which brought us to Lake Oyunuma. Approximately 50 meters in diameter, Oyunuma is a thermal lake with a surface temperature of around 50 degree Celsius.

We continued our walk down the road and found the Oyunumagawa Sightseeing Pathway.

This pathway takes you along the Oyunumagawa stream flowing out from the lake. In the middle of the pathway, there is a natural food bath. A platform built alongside the bank of the stream allows visitors to sit down and soak their legs in the warm stream. Styrofoam mats are provided for visitors as well.