Hell Scenery Has Beautiful Fall Foliage -Jigokudani (Hell Valley) in Noboribetsu-

Taisho Jigoku

There are 15 hot spring sources called Jigoku (Hells). One of those is Taisho Jigoku (大正地獄). It is the most famous Jigoku as an intermittent spring that 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 that is 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 anybody can take a footbath freely with a forest bath. Fresh gray sulfur spring flowed from the Oyunuma Pond and the Taisho Jigoku is a 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 steam 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 Observatory

Hiyoriyama Observatory (日和山展望台) along Hokkaido Road 350 Kuttara-Koen Line (道道350号倶多楽湖公園線) is a viewing point around Mt. Hiyori. The Oyunuma Pond can be looked over, and the Mt. Hiyori can be looked from the side. But trees may interrupt the view. There is a place with a fine view after heading to the Lake Kuttara (倶多楽湖) for 10 minutes. Smoke sounds because there 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 Observatory Can Be Watched on Youtube

Moive of Hiyoriyama Observatory