[Jigokudani in Noboribetsu] Footbath, Demon's Fireworks and Fall Foliage Can Be Enjoyed

Noboribetsu Onsen

Noboribetsu Onsen (登別温泉) is a famous hot-spring resort in Noboribetsu city located in the northeastern direction of Muroran city, and is one of the 3 major hot spring resorts in Hokkaido together with Jozankei Onsen (定山渓温泉) and Yunokawa Onsen (湯の川温泉). Hot springs spring 10000 liters everyday, so a quantity of the hot springs is abundant, too. About 3 million tourists come every year. Noboribetsu Onsen is one of major hot-spring resort that around 14 accommodations open in Hokkaido. Except the hot springs, there are abundant sightseeing spots such as Jigokudani (地獄谷 * Hell valley), Noboribetsu Bear Ranch (のぼりべつクマ牧場) and Lake Kuttara (倶多楽湖), too. There are a footbath, restaurants, cafes, bars with a surcharge, souvenir shops and Noboribetsu Gateway Center (登別ゲートウェイセンター) sponsoring activities at the hot-spring resort. Onsen Ichiba (温泉市場) and Jigoku Ramen of Aji-no-Daio Nobotibetsu Onsen Branch (味の大王 登別温泉店の地獄ラーメン) are popular in particular. In addition, a huge ogre with 18 m in height stands at an entrance of the hot-spring resort and he greets us. A mascot of Noboribetsu Onsen is the ogre. The ogres can be seen here and there. Read More

Lake Kuttara

Lake Kuttara (倶多楽湖) is a circular caldera lake in Shiraoi town, and was born by volcanic activity 80,000 years ago. A road leads to the lake only from Noboribetsu not the Shiraoi, and it is nearby Noboribetsu Onsen (登別温泉). In Shikotsu-Toya National Park, the perimeter of the lake is about 8 km, and the maximum depth is 148 m. The transparency of the lake is very high because the lake as well as Lake Mashu (摩周湖) does not has a river at all. After the Lake Mashu, the lake water has the 2nd transparency in Japan. A Ministry of the Environment reported 2001 Measurement Results of Water Quality in Public Waters (2001年度公共用水域水質測定結果), and the Lake Kuttara won 1st place in lake and pond section. In addition, the lake is the roundest lake in the Japan. Because the development is limited, a primeval forest of Hokkaido is still abound relatively. The lake can be seen from the Lake Kuttara Lakeside and Ogigata Lookout (扇型展望台) along Hokkaido Road 350. But The Hokkaido Road 350 is closed from late November to late April. Read More

Jigokudani with Fall Foliage

Jigokudani is the explosion crater with 450 m in diameter. The hot springs with an ample supply of water are gushing out 10,000 tons per a day, and the Jigokudani is a hot spring source of the Noboribetsu Onsen. There are some fumaroles and hot spring gushing points on the explosion crater, and the hot springs turn into rivers after the hot springs gushing out, and the people in the old times imagined the scenery as a Buddhism hell that the demons live in, so it is named the Jigokudani. There is a pathway with about 600 m in total length, and there are some observatory decks around the crater, and tourists can go around for about 10 minutes on foot. A combination of gray world and the fall foliage is a wonderful scenery. There are Noboribetsu Park Service Center (登別パークサービスセンター), Jigokudani Parking Lot (地獄谷駐車場) and a restroom around an entrance.

At the Noboribetsu Park Service Center, the tourists can get infomation about the Noboribetsu Onsen, and souvenirs are sold, and rain boots and umbrellas are lent to enjoy walking pathways in the rain or the snow.

Atmosphere of Iron Spring Pond Can Be Watched on Youtube

Moive of Iron Spring Pond

Atmosphere of Jigokudani with Fall Foliage Can Be Watched on Youtube

Moive of Jigokudani with Fall Foliage

Taisho Jigoku

There are 15 hot spring sources called Jigoku (Hells) in total. One of those is Taisho Jigoku (大正地獄). It is the most famous Jigoku as an intermittent spring changing 7 colors with the rumbling of the ground, and the hot spring pond of the perimeter is around 10 km along the Oyunuma Scenic Pathway with about 400 m in total length along Oyunuma River (大湯沼川). If the Taisho Jigoku erupts, the River Oyunuma Natural Footbath at some distance below the Taisho Jigoku is too hot to take a footbath. By the way, as of 2017, it is prohibited to enter the Taisho Jigoku for large eruption.

Atmosphere of Eruption of Taisho Jigoku Can Be Watched on Youtube

Moive of Eruption of Taisho Jigoku

River Oyunuma Natural Footbath

The River Oyunuma Natural Footbath is built along the Oyunuma Scenic Pathway with about 400 m in total length along Oyunuma River, and everybody can take a footbath with a forest bath freely. Fresh gray sulfur spring flowed from the Oyunuma Pond and the Taisho Jigoku is moderate temperature for taking a footbath at the River Oyunuma Natural Footbath. But if the Taisho Jigoku erupts, the River Oyunuma Natural Footbath is too hot to take a footbath. It is available in a winter, too.

Atmosphere of River Oyunuma Natural Footbath Can Be Watched on Youtube

Moive of River Oyunuma Natural Footbath

Oyunuma Pond and Oku-no-Yu Observation Deck

Gourd‐shaped Oyunuma Pond (the perimeter is around 1 km), Mt. Hiyori with 377 m in height and Oku-no-Yu (奥の湯) are in the north part of the Jigokudani. A combination of the Mt. Hiyori that volcano smoke rises from the mountaintop and the Oyunuma Pond with the steam go well with the fall foliage. The parking lot and a restroom are provided between the Oyunuma Pond and the Oku-no-Yu. Admission free. The parking lot is charged. The Oyunuma Parking Lot is closed in a winter.

The depth of the pond is about 22 m, and the sulfur spring with water temperature of 130 C spring out from the bottom of the pond. The surface temperature is from 40 C to 50 C, and it becomes Oyu River (大湯川), and it is used as the River Oyunuma Natural Footbath.

The sulfur spring gushes out from the bottom of the Oku-no-Yu pond, and the surface temperature is from 75 C to 85 C. A observatory deck is built beside the pond, and the pond and the fall foliage can be enjoyed.

Atmosphere of Oyunuma Pond Can Be Watched on Youtube

Moive of Oyunuma Pond

Hiyoriyama Lookout

Hiyoriyama Lookout (日和山展望台) along Hokkaido Road 350 is a viewing point around Mt. Hiyori. The Oyunuma Pond can be seen, and the Mt. Hiyori can be seen from the side, too. But trees might obstruct your view. There is a place with a fine view after heading to the Lake Kuttara (倶多楽湖) for 10 minutes on foot. You can enjoy sounding steam because that is near the Mt. Hiyori. A free parking lot is only a facility. Admission free. The parking lot is free of charge.

Atmosphere of Hiyoriyama Lookout Can Be Watched on Youtube

Moive of Hiyoriyama Lookout