The town’s proximity to volcanic and geothermal landscapes is what creates the hot springs and geysers which supply thousands of gallons of mineral-rich bath water to the onsens. Not to mention, the town is surrounded by totally unique natural scenery which visitors can take in while enjoying their onsen vacations. Most of the must-do’s below are located in the hot spring area of Noboribetsu Onsen, which can be reached by bus from Noboribetsu station in the larger town. Here are our highly recommend must-dos in our favorite spa destination in Hokkaido!

 

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Of course, the main attraction of Noboribetsu is the natural hot spring baths. Most of the baths are found inside ryokans, where travelers will be staying, so be sure to book the ryokan of your choice far in advance. Staying at a ryokan gives travelers a chance to indulge in traditional Japanese lodgings and sleep on tatami mats. For those who are flexible to splurge, you can also book a premium suite with a private onsen to experience a private hot spring bath with a view.

Jigokudani, also known as Hell Valley, is what provides Noboribetsu with its famous hot spring water. Jigokudani is a stunning crater created by an eruption of Mount Hiyori, and continues to be a site of volcanic activity. Water that comes up from below the surface becomes infused with the minerals and is then delivered to all the onsens and hotels in Noboribetsu. According to local folklore, Jigokudani is where mischievous demons of Noboribetsu are known to reside.

Other than the hike along volcanic craters of Jigokudani, another scenic walk in town is one that leads to the natural foot bath in Oyunuma River. The foot bath is another product of Noboribetsu’s natural phenomena. Piping hot spring water flows from Oyunuma Lake down the river and collects in a curved dip in the forest. Thanks to the journey down the river, the water is at an ideal temperature by the time it reaches the foot bath and very rich in minerals.

Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura, or Noboribetsu Date Historic Village, is a cultural theme park that recreates Japan’s illustrious Edo Period. It’s a charming place built like an authentic Edo village, where visitors can walk through shops, buildings and streets constructed in historic style. Next to Hokkaido’s stunning natural scenery, especially in the fall and winter, visiting Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura truly feels like going back in time to one of Japan’s most iconic eras.

The theme park is perfect for families, as many of the shows and attractions cater to kids. There are shops where you can paint traditional kokeshi dolls and a ninja dojo where you can throw ninja stars and practice archery. The village offers multiple exhibits where visitors can learn about life and history during the Edo Period, such as the Katana Museum or the Ninja Resource Center. Travelers can also catch daily theatrical shows featuring ninjas, geishas and samurai. Lastly, it wouldn’t be a theme park without a photo studio where you can dress up like a samurai lord or princess and take fun pictures!

When you grow tired of stewing in the onsen and want something else to do, a fun visit to Noboribetsu Date Historic Village is the perfect break to learn about Japanese history and travel back in time to a charming village set in the Edo Period.

Lake Toya is a breathtaking sight inside Shikotsu-Toya National Park, located about 55 km from Noboribetsu. Lake Toya is a circular caldera formed by the volcanic landscape of the area and is a UNESCO Global Geopark. The lake itself is absolutely beautiful, with glassy, transparent waters encircling little green islets, surrounded by lush forest all around.

Within Shikotsu-Toya National Park and around Lake Toya, there are multiple hikes and well-maintained walkways to take in nature. Lake Toya Onsen is its own hot spring town with multiple ryokans and open-air baths offering stunning views of the lake. There’s even a ferry that takes visitors to Nakajima, which makes up the group of small islands in the center of Lake Toya. On the largest island, O-Shima, you can find Lake Toya Forest Museum, which is only open from April to October.

Noboribetsu is a convenient departure point to travel to Lake Toya. The simplest and fastest way would be to catch the train from Noboribetsu station. If you’re driving in a car, the drive takes about an hour.