Located on the Pacific Ocean side of Hokkaido and close to Muroran, Noboribetsu is one of Hokkaido's most famous hot spring resort areas. It was founded on September 13, 1869, has an approximate population of 54,039 with a total area of 212.11 km2. Noboribetsu is a part of the Shikotsu-Toya National Park.
Noboribestu located directly south of Sapporo city, runs along the coast and is and is surrounded by beautiful forested hills. It has a train station which is located almost in the center of the city, near the ocean and expressway access. The hot spring area is located behind the main area of the town about 10 - 15 minutes by car or bus into the hills surrounding the city. The hot spring resort area boasts 11 different kinds of hot spring baths, and this area also includes Jigokudani (Hell Valley) and the Bear Park. Located a short distance west between Noboribetsu and Tomakamai is the Ainu village in Shiraoi. Noboribestu is also known for various kinds of foods including Cod roe, Salmon roe and Onikama a type of boiled fish paste. Souvenirs include carved wooden bears, carved wooden dolls, and various candies.
PLACES WE SHOULD VISIT....
Cherry Blossoms Avenue // The Japanese love of the cherry blossom continues in Noboribetsu. Best vied in the early spring this street which joins JR Noboribetsu Station to Noboribetsu Hot Spring has been planted with approximately 1000 cherry trees. The coming of the cherry blossom is viewed as the beginning of the end to the long cold winters in Hokkaido. Cherry blossom parties are held almost all week even though it can still be quite cool at night. The cherry blossom season is short lived lasting only for one or two weeks.
Daiichi Takimotokan // With one of Japan’s largest bath complexes and the oldest hotel in the Noboribetsu area Daiichi Takimotokan is a hot spring lovers delight. First established in 1858, the complex now has more than half a dozen modern buildings. Contained within these buildings are various mineral pools, waterfalls, walking pools, cold pools, steam room, and a swimming pool with slide. There are seven different kinds of mineral pools and outdoor and indoor pools.
Jigokudani (Hell Valley) // It's a large crater that was formed by Kuttara volcano about 200,000 years ago. It is 450 meters in diameter and is surrounded by red stone cliffs. Hot steam vents and sulfurous streams pour out from the sides of this red valley area giving it a very hell like appearance. This area is one of the major sources for the Noboribetsu hot springs. There are 11 types of springs and water temperatures can reach more than 100°C. The valley also has many hiking trails through it (and a road) and along one of these trails (also possible to drive to) is the sulfurous pond Oyunuma. There are also some smaller even hotter mud pools nearby.
Lake Kuttara // Located between Noboribetsu City and Shiraoi Town, Lake Kuttara is a beautiful circular crater lake. The lake goes to a maximum depth of about 148 m and has a circumference of approximately 8.5 km. The lake has large, high banks and on this area a rest house with restaurant, take out stand and other facilities / amenities has been built. The lake has previously won an award as the clearest lake in Hokkaido as water is so clear and blue. This area with it’s natural beauty, peace and clean water serves as an excellent place for fishing, row boats and hiking from the spring to autumn months.
Mt. Hiyori // Located to the north of the Oyunuma Marsh area Mt. Hiyori stands some 377 m. above sea level. The mountain is volcanically active and large clouds of white steam and vapor continually pour from its top. Fishermen used to forecast coming weather conditions based upon the amount and direction of this smoke. There is an observation area located across from the mountain on the small road to Oyunuma Marsh. This area gives a good view of the mountain and it is also possible to hear the whistle of the steam as it pours from the top of the mountain.
Mt. Kuma // Known as “Bear Mountain” offers one of the best views in the Noboribetsu region. From the top it is possible to see the Pacific Ocean over JR Noboribetsu Station to the south, Lake Kuttara and Mt. Tarumae to the east, Mt. Hiyorimi and Oyunuma to the north and Funka Bay and Mt. Komagatake to the west. Also known as Shihorei, and as the name suggests, on the mountaintop you will find the Noboribetsu Bear Park as well as a restaurant, a Genghis Kahn corner and Yukara-no-Sato (Noboribetsu Ainu Village). The Mountain top is accessed via ropeway from the Noboribetsu Hot spring area.
Noboribetsu Bear Park // Located at the top of Mt. Kuma or Shihorei is a fenced bear sanctuary where more than 140 bears roam freely. Acces to the bear park is via a 5 min. gondola ride to the top. There are various shows the bears perform and also other animal shows. You can buy bags of cookies to feed to the bears. They will usually wave to you if you give them a cookie or two. Hokkaido has many problems with bears and attacks on people are frequent especially in the spring and autumn months. As a result bears are thought of as being a pest and are often hunted and killed. The sanctuary at Mt. Kuma helps to change the perception of bears to the general public and works toward preservation of the species. There is also a small Ainu village and some relics from the area.
Noboribetsu Date Historical Village // This unique leisure park is made up of various buildings preserved from the Edo period and state-of-the-art 3D theater technology. Fun for all the family buildings to explore include; the house of Masamune Date’s deputy (Kojuro Katakura), the Date Village Theater, “Momiya” or the Sendai Brothel as well as many others. The 3D theater projects fantastic images accompanied by amazing acoustics. Other attractions in the park include; Yokai Bikkuri-goya (goblin surprise cottage) and Fort Ninja.
Noboribetsu Hot Spring // This area is one of Hokkaido’s most popular and well known spa resort areas. The hot spring area boasts 11 different varieties of springs and is particularly well known for its large quantities of water and good spring quality. The hot spring area is located in the tree lined hill area behind Noboribetsu, 200m above sea level and approximately 7 km from JR Noboribetsu Station. It can be reached by car or local bus in about 15 minutes.
Noboribetsu Marine Park // This theme park is modeled after Egeskov Castle in Denmark and designed to project a Scandinavian and European image. The parks main attraction is a marine ecology hall which houses an array of sea life, all of which can be viewed through an underwater glass tunnel. There are various shows with performances by sea lions and dolphins and visitors can also watch the sea otter feeding time. There is also a theater and various restaurants serving Scandinavian food.
Noboribestu located directly south of Sapporo city, runs along the coast and is and is surrounded by beautiful forested hills. It has a train station which is located almost in the center of the city, near the ocean and expressway access. The hot spring area is located behind the main area of the town about 10 - 15 minutes by car or bus into the hills surrounding the city. The hot spring resort area boasts 11 different kinds of hot spring baths, and this area also includes Jigokudani (Hell Valley) and the Bear Park. Located a short distance west between Noboribetsu and Tomakamai is the Ainu village in Shiraoi. Noboribestu is also known for various kinds of foods including Cod roe, Salmon roe and Onikama a type of boiled fish paste. Souvenirs include carved wooden bears, carved wooden dolls, and various candies.
PLACES WE SHOULD VISIT....
Cherry Blossoms Avenue // The Japanese love of the cherry blossom continues in Noboribetsu. Best vied in the early spring this street which joins JR Noboribetsu Station to Noboribetsu Hot Spring has been planted with approximately 1000 cherry trees. The coming of the cherry blossom is viewed as the beginning of the end to the long cold winters in Hokkaido. Cherry blossom parties are held almost all week even though it can still be quite cool at night. The cherry blossom season is short lived lasting only for one or two weeks.
Daiichi Takimotokan // With one of Japan’s largest bath complexes and the oldest hotel in the Noboribetsu area Daiichi Takimotokan is a hot spring lovers delight. First established in 1858, the complex now has more than half a dozen modern buildings. Contained within these buildings are various mineral pools, waterfalls, walking pools, cold pools, steam room, and a swimming pool with slide. There are seven different kinds of mineral pools and outdoor and indoor pools.
Jigokudani (Hell Valley) // It's a large crater that was formed by Kuttara volcano about 200,000 years ago. It is 450 meters in diameter and is surrounded by red stone cliffs. Hot steam vents and sulfurous streams pour out from the sides of this red valley area giving it a very hell like appearance. This area is one of the major sources for the Noboribetsu hot springs. There are 11 types of springs and water temperatures can reach more than 100°C. The valley also has many hiking trails through it (and a road) and along one of these trails (also possible to drive to) is the sulfurous pond Oyunuma. There are also some smaller even hotter mud pools nearby.
Lake Kuttara // Located between Noboribetsu City and Shiraoi Town, Lake Kuttara is a beautiful circular crater lake. The lake goes to a maximum depth of about 148 m and has a circumference of approximately 8.5 km. The lake has large, high banks and on this area a rest house with restaurant, take out stand and other facilities / amenities has been built. The lake has previously won an award as the clearest lake in Hokkaido as water is so clear and blue. This area with it’s natural beauty, peace and clean water serves as an excellent place for fishing, row boats and hiking from the spring to autumn months.
Mt. Hiyori // Located to the north of the Oyunuma Marsh area Mt. Hiyori stands some 377 m. above sea level. The mountain is volcanically active and large clouds of white steam and vapor continually pour from its top. Fishermen used to forecast coming weather conditions based upon the amount and direction of this smoke. There is an observation area located across from the mountain on the small road to Oyunuma Marsh. This area gives a good view of the mountain and it is also possible to hear the whistle of the steam as it pours from the top of the mountain.
Mt. Kuma // Known as “Bear Mountain” offers one of the best views in the Noboribetsu region. From the top it is possible to see the Pacific Ocean over JR Noboribetsu Station to the south, Lake Kuttara and Mt. Tarumae to the east, Mt. Hiyorimi and Oyunuma to the north and Funka Bay and Mt. Komagatake to the west. Also known as Shihorei, and as the name suggests, on the mountaintop you will find the Noboribetsu Bear Park as well as a restaurant, a Genghis Kahn corner and Yukara-no-Sato (Noboribetsu Ainu Village). The Mountain top is accessed via ropeway from the Noboribetsu Hot spring area.
Noboribetsu Bear Park // Located at the top of Mt. Kuma or Shihorei is a fenced bear sanctuary where more than 140 bears roam freely. Acces to the bear park is via a 5 min. gondola ride to the top. There are various shows the bears perform and also other animal shows. You can buy bags of cookies to feed to the bears. They will usually wave to you if you give them a cookie or two. Hokkaido has many problems with bears and attacks on people are frequent especially in the spring and autumn months. As a result bears are thought of as being a pest and are often hunted and killed. The sanctuary at Mt. Kuma helps to change the perception of bears to the general public and works toward preservation of the species. There is also a small Ainu village and some relics from the area.
Noboribetsu Date Historical Village // This unique leisure park is made up of various buildings preserved from the Edo period and state-of-the-art 3D theater technology. Fun for all the family buildings to explore include; the house of Masamune Date’s deputy (Kojuro Katakura), the Date Village Theater, “Momiya” or the Sendai Brothel as well as many others. The 3D theater projects fantastic images accompanied by amazing acoustics. Other attractions in the park include; Yokai Bikkuri-goya (goblin surprise cottage) and Fort Ninja.
Noboribetsu Hot Spring // This area is one of Hokkaido’s most popular and well known spa resort areas. The hot spring area boasts 11 different varieties of springs and is particularly well known for its large quantities of water and good spring quality. The hot spring area is located in the tree lined hill area behind Noboribetsu, 200m above sea level and approximately 7 km from JR Noboribetsu Station. It can be reached by car or local bus in about 15 minutes.
Noboribetsu Marine Park // This theme park is modeled after Egeskov Castle in Denmark and designed to project a Scandinavian and European image. The parks main attraction is a marine ecology hall which houses an array of sea life, all of which can be viewed through an underwater glass tunnel. There are various shows with performances by sea lions and dolphins and visitors can also watch the sea otter feeding time. There is also a theater and various restaurants serving Scandinavian food.
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