1-Day Tour in Noboribetsu: Hell Valley, Lake Oyunuma Footbath & Dai-ichi Takimotokan Day Bath

Witness Noboribetsu's awe-inspiring Jigokudani, a "Hell Valley" overflowing with steaming vents, healing waters, and vibrant colors. After walking through this Hell Valley, enjoy a leisurely forest walk to the soothing Oyunuma River footbath where you can rest your legs in the warm, mineral-rich waters. Later, you'll be taken to the historic Dai-ichi Takimotokan Hotel, where you can further relax in several of its 35 hot spring baths. Led by an English-speaking guide, this tour starts and ends at Sapporo Station.

Highlights

• Take in otherworldly sights from the 600-meter-long boardwalk through Noboribetsu's Hell Valley
• Soak your weary legs in the Oyunuma River Natural Footbath
• Explore the Dai-ichi Takimotokan, renowned for its 35 baths sourced from five different types of spring water — each providing unique health benefits!

Description

Hell Valley. We will start our tour in Noboribetsu at Hell Valley, known in Japanese as “Jigokudani”. Hell Valley is one of Japan's most famous geothermal areas, offering a dramatic and otherworldly landscape shaped by volcanic activity. Here's a detailed description:

• Volcanic Crater: Hell Valley is the main source of Noboribetsu's hot spring waters, formed in the crater of the now dormant Mount Hiyori.
• Thermal Vents and Hot Springs: The valley is dotted with steaming fumaroles, bubbling hot springs, and sulfurous streams. These vents release white steam clouds, filling the air with a distinctive sulfuric smell.
• Colorful Terrain: The mineral-rich soil displays striking hues of orange, yellow, gray, and brown, creating a vivid and surreal contrast against the lush green forest surrounding the area.

On this tour, your guide will guide you along the “Hell Valley Boardwalk” which is a 600-meter-long wooden pathway that traverses the valley, offering close-up views — and great angles for photography at any location — of geothermal features such as steam vents and bubbling pools. The trail includes several viewpoints and observatory decks, making it accessible for most visitors. This wooden boardwalk is well maintained and winds through Hell Valley offering visitors close up panoramic views of the geothermal activity happening all around them. Guests should keep in mind that this boardwalk can get slippery at times, so appropriate footwear is highly recommended.

As guests walk along the wooden boardwalk throughout Hell Valley, they cannot help but notice the numerous mini statues of “oni” (Demon) all about. Hell Valley is deeply rooted in local folklore. These “oni statues” symbolize the valley’s connection to the underworld. Concluding our walk throughout Hell Valley we will proceed to Lake Oyunuma.

The Oyunuma River Natural Footbath is a unique hot spring experience located in Noboribetsu Onsen, one of Hokkaido's most renowned hot spring resorts. This natural footbath allows visitors to soak their feet in a river warmed by thermal springs, providing a relaxing experience amidst nature.The footbath is situated along the Oyunuma River, where hot spring water flows directly from Lake Oyunuma. Visitors can enjoy the warmth of the mineral-rich waters while surrounded by lush forest scenery. After hiking through Hell Valley, guests on this tour will then hike to this natural footbath and soak their feet in this healing heated water.

To reach this footbath we will have a slowly paced/pleasant walk through the forest. It's approximately a 30-minute stroll from the Noboribetsu Park Service Center, located next to Jigokudani (Hell Valley). A wooden platform with seating areas is provided at the footbath site, allowing visitors to sit comfortably while soaking their feet. The footbath can be enjoyed year-round. However, trail conditions may vary with the seasons, so guests should wear appropriate footwear. One final note, tour guests are advised to bring a small towel with them to dry their feet after the footbath soak.

The Dai-Ichi Takimotokan Hotel in Noboribetsu has a very rich history dating back to 1858! It was founded by Kinzo Takimoto, a carpenter from Tokyo. He sought out the healing properties of Noboribetsu’s hot springs for his wife Sata, who suffered from a severe skin condition. After witnessing her recovery, Kinzo established an inn (which became The Dai Ichi Takimotokan) to share the therapeutic benefits of the Noboribetsu hot springs with others.

Today, Dai-ichi Takimotokan is renowned for its extensive onsen facilities, offering 35 baths sourced from five different types of spring water, each providing unique health benefits. The resort accommodates up to 1,200 guests across 387 rooms and features amenities such as banquet rooms, conference facilities, and a play area with swimming pools. Guest reviews are always positive and highlight the exceptional onsen experience, noting the variety of baths, cleanliness, and attentive staff. The resort's proximity to local attractions like Hell Valley adds to its appeal, making it a favored destination for both relaxation and exploration. Guests on this tour will be able to soak in these many soothing and therapeutic baths for 1.5 hours!

Meetup Point

This tour will start at Sapporo Station in front of “Myomu” (The Circular Stone Structure) in front of the South Exit doors of Sapporo Station. Kindly meet here at exactly 8:00 a.m. Your guide will be there to greet you. As this is a group tour, it is very important that each guest arrive exactly on time; preferably a little earlier. After brief introductions and smiles, we will start to embark on our journey boarding the train to Noboribetsu.

Sapporo Station @ 08:00

After exiting the main JR gates of Sapporo Station TURN LEFT. Walk towards the South Exits (南出口) of Sapporo Station.  After a very short walk (in the near distance) you will surely notice “MYOMU” (The Circular White Stone Structure/see above picture). Your guide will be standing in front of this white stone structure holding a SNOW MONKEY RESORTS tour tag. You are kindly asked to be at this meetup point at 8:00 A.M. The tour will need to depart on-time.

Notes

Included

• Transportation fee from Sapporo Sta. to Noboribetsu Sta. and then back to Sapporo Sta. 
• Admission Fees to enter the hot baths at The Dai-Ichi Takimotokan. 
• Bus Fare from Noboribetsu Sta. to Hell Valley/Onsen Area.
• English-speaking guide

Excluded

• Lunch
• Accommodation
• Any type of transportation costs other than prescribed for this tour. 
• Food & Drink & any snacks
• Any added bathing care products other than what is provided at The Dai-Ichi Takimotokan.

Other Information

• Clothes worn should be appropriate for the given season. 
• Guests are kindly asked to be at the meet up point on time (8 a.m.) so that we can start the itinerary on time without delay. 
• Wear comfortable hiking shoes, as some sections of the Hell Valley Walk will be slippery. 
• Bring a small towel to wipe/dry your feet after the footbath experience. 
• Obey all rules when entering and bathing at The Dai-Ichi Takimotokan hot bath.
• Be completely naked when entering the hot bath area. Have a complete shower washing before entering into any of the soaking baths.
• IMPORTANT: guests with any body-sized tattoos will NOT BE PERMITTED into the hot bath area.
• The tour application deadline is 1 day before the tour date at 17:00.