Thematic GuidesFamous Japanese Hot Springs
Noboribetsu Onsen Guide: Jigokudani and Hot Spring's Department Store
Explore Noboribetsu Onsen in Noboribetsu, Hokkaido: Jigokudani's volcanic scenery, its mix of sulfur, salt, and iron-rich springs, Oyunuma, natural foot baths, oni culture, and access from New Chitose and Sapporo, based on official local guidance.
Published: Jan 14, 2026
Thematic GuidesFamous Japanese Hot Springs
Noboribetsu Onsen Guide: Jigokudani and Hot Spring's Department Store
Explore Noboribetsu Onsen in Noboribetsu, Hokkaido: Jigokudani's volcanic scenery, its mix of sulfur, salt, and iron-rich springs, Oyunuma, natural foot baths, oni culture, and access from New Chitose and Sapporo, based on official local guidance.
Published: Jan 14, 2026
Noboribetsu Onsen is a hot spring resort in Noboribetsu, Hokkaido, known for the rugged scenery of Jigokudani, formed by volcanic activity at Mt. Hiyori, and for its unique identity as a hot spring resort where multiple spring types emerge from one area, earning it the nickname "hot spring department store." Even before entering the resort area, the rising steam and sulfur smell clearly signal its character, and it is widely regarded as one of Hokkaido's signature hot spring destinations. It is also easy to access from New Chitose Airport and the Sapporo area, making it convenient to include in a Hokkaido trip.
For travelers, the key point is not simply that it is a famous Hokkaido hot spring, but how to experience and compare the volcanic landscape centered on Jigokudani with its different types of baths. Noboribetsu is less of a place to casually wander through a resort town and more of a hot spring area where you combine bathing with sightseeing spots shaped by the terrain, such as Jigokudani and Oyunuma. In this article, we整理 the features and spring types of Noboribetsu Onsen, how to walk around Jigokudani, Oyunuma, and the natural foot bath, the resort-town culture built around oni and hell motifs, nearby attractions, and access, based on official information from the Noboribetsu International Tourism and Convention Association and others.
Volcanic scenery centered on Jigokudani
The symbol of Noboribetsu Onsen is Jigokudani, located just above the resort area. This is an explosion crater formed by volcanic activity at Mt. Hiyori, with a diameter of about 450 meters. Across the valley are numerous hot pools and steam vents, constantly releasing steam, hot water, and volcanic gas. Rugged rock surfaces, rising vapor, and the smell of sulfur fill the area, creating a landscape that truly evokes "hell." This Jigokudani is the source area that supplies hot water to Noboribetsu Onsen.
Jigokudani has well-maintained walking paths, allowing visitors to look down into the valley and experience the scenery up close. The power of the steam and vents is stronger on site than in photographs, so rather than only staying at a ryokan in the resort area, it is worth taking time to walk and see the terrain. Please note that the condition of the walking paths and viewing routes may change depending on the weather and volcanic activity, so visitors should check local guidance for access and safety information.
The diversity of spring types that earned it the nickname "hot spring department store"
Noboribetsu Onsen's greatest characteristic is that many spring types emerge from a single hot spring area. Because sulfur springs, salt springs (chloride springs), acidic iron springs, and mirabilite springs (sulfate springs) all flow from the Jigokudani area, it is often called a "hot spring department store." The number of spring types described varies by source, and some say there are as many as nine, but here it is best to focus not on the exact count but on the rarity of having multiple spring types gathered in one place.
Because the source springs drawn by inns and facilities differ, the impression of the water can vary greatly even within the same resort area. Some baths have a pronounced sulfur smell, others feel more saline, and some have a color influenced by iron. When choosing accommodation, it helps to look not only at price and location but also at which spring type is the main one.
| Spring type | Typical impression | Quick note |
|---|---|---|
| Sulfur spring | Strong sulfur smell, sometimes cloudy white | The type that most strongly feels like Noboribetsu |
| Salt spring (chloride spring) | Salty feel, often said to stay warm after bathing | Often described as a bath that warms the body well |
| Acidic iron spring | May have a color caused by iron | May feel slightly acidic or metallic |
| Mirabilite spring (sulfate spring) | Gentle, with a less distinctive character | Often clear and colorless |
Detailed chemistry for the color, smell, and components of each spring type is best left to separate explanations. For an overview of different spring types, see Onsen Spring Types for Beginners. For sulfur-based baths commonly found in Noboribetsu, see What Is a Sulfur Spring? and The Smell of Sulfur Springs, which explains the source of the odor. For the mechanism behind iron-rich water turning reddish brown, Why Iron Springs Turn Reddish Brown is useful. Even when the label says "sulfur spring" or "salt spring," the actual feeling varies by source and facility, so checking the spring analysis notice posted on site is the most reliable approach.
Oyunuma and the natural foot bath
Another place worth visiting together with Jigokudani is Oyunuma, a little farther from the resort area. This too is a pool formed when hot water collected in an explosion crater created by the eruption of Mt. Hiyori. The surface of the gray-black pool has sulfur floating on it, and high-temperature sulfur spring water rises from below. The pool itself is one of the sources, offering a different kind of rugged atmosphere from Jigokudani.
The water flowing out of Oyunuma becomes the Oyunuma River, which runs down the valley and has a natural foot bath along the way. It is a place where you can soak your feet in hot spring water flowing through the woods, letting you experience the warmth of the source in a way that is different from full bathing. Jigokudani, Oyunuma, and the natural foot bath are linked by walking paths, making it easy to understand the relationship between the terrain and the hot springs as one continuous experience. Near Oyunuma, there is also a highlight called Taisho Jigoku, a hot pool whose eruptions change periodically. The availability of the foot bath and the condition of the walking paths vary by season and weather, so check local information before visiting.
| Highlight | Features | Approximate time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Jigokudani | Explosion crater about 450 m across, steam vents, hot pools, walking paths | About 30 minutes to 1 hour |
| Oyunuma | Gray-black, high-temperature sulfur spring source, viewpoint and walking path | Around 30 minutes |
| Oyunuma River natural foot bath | Soak your feet in hot spring water flowing through the woods | Around 20 to 30 minutes |
| Taisho Jigoku | Hot pool with periodically changing eruptions | A few minutes or more |
These are only rough estimates, and the actual time depends on the condition of the walking paths, crowds, and weather. Since many highlights involve walking, it is easier to plan if you separate your bathing time from your sightseeing time.
Resort-town culture inspired by oni and hell
Another distinctive feature of Noboribetsu Onsen is the town culture centered on oni and hell motifs, born from the scenery of Jigokudani. Around the resort area, red and blue oni statues stand as guardians of the hot springs. Near the entrance to the resort area is Enmado, where a show called the "judgment of hell" is often said to take place at fixed times, with the face of Enma Daio changing expression. In summer, the area hosts the Jigoku Matsuri, a festival featuring oni as the main attraction, making the landscape itself into the town's story. This is one of the things that makes Noboribetsu feel so unique.
This culture also reflects a history of seeing the volcanic landscape of Jigokudani as something to fear, yet also to appreciate as a blessing. If you walk through the resort area while following the oni statues, you can enjoy Noboribetsu's world more deeply, beyond just bathing and scenery. Festival dates and Enmado show times vary by year and season, so check official information for your visit period.
Pairing with nearby attractions
Around the hot spring resort, Noboribetsu also has family-friendly sightseeing facilities. The most famous include Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura, which recreates Edo-period streets and ninja and samurai culture, and Noboribetsu Bear Park, where you can see Hokkaido brown bears up close. These make it easy to combine hot springs and sightseeing in one day.
These facilities are easy to enjoy even with children, and they add variety to a stay in the hot spring area. If you build your day around bathing and walking through Jigokudani, then add nearby attractions depending on your schedule and companions, it becomes easier to shape your time in Noboribetsu. Since opening hours and admission fees may change, check the official information before planning your visit.
Access and how to think about your stay
One of Noboribetsu Onsen's biggest strengths is that it is easy to reach from New Chitose Airport and the Sapporo area. By train, Noboribetsu Station on the JR Muroran Main Line is the gateway, and the resort area is about 15 minutes away by bus. From New Chitose Airport and Sapporo, there are routes by limited express train and bus to the Noboribetsu area, making it easy to include as part of the first or last day of a Hokkaido trip.
A day trip is enough to enjoy a walk through Jigokudani and a bath, but if you want to take your time with Jigokudani, Oyunuma, and the natural foot bath, and enjoy the resort area at night or Jigokudani in the morning, staying overnight gives you more flexibility. Having a rental car makes it easier to reach Oyunuma and nearby attractions, but public transportation also gets you to the resort area quite easily. In winter, the contrast between snow and rising steam creates a scene that feels very Noboribetsu, though proper cold-weather and footwear preparation is essential. Since travel time and schedules vary by season and operating conditions, be sure to check the latest times before departure.
If you are looking for ryokan or day-use bathing facilities in Noboribetsu, we offer a facility list and search page so you can narrow down options by area and budget. If you want to understand how it compares with other famous hot springs, 10 Famous Hot Springs in Japan is also helpful. For those who want to choose baths with attention to source freshness and whether water is added or heated, What Is Gensen Kakenagashi? is worth reading as well.
Bathing and sightseeing precautions
In Noboribetsu, some baths have strong sulfur content, and some people may find the smell or stimulation intense. If you have sensitive skin or are feeling unwell, it is wise to avoid long baths and enter gradually while watching how you feel. Sulfur springs can discolor silver accessories, so it is better to remove them before bathing.
The walking paths around Jigokudani and Oyunuma can become slippery depending on the weather. Even if your main goal is bathing in the resort area, it is best to prepare comfortable walking shoes and clothing that makes it easy to move, since seeing the terrain on foot is part of the experience. Some places may have volcanic gas buildup, so always follow access restrictions and posted guidance. In winter, snow and icy surfaces make movement more difficult, so warm clothing and non-slip shoes are reassuring.
Frequently asked questions
How many types of spring water does Noboribetsu Onsen have?
Multiple spring types, including sulfur springs, salt springs (chloride springs), acidic iron springs, and mirabilite springs, emerge in one hot spring area, which is why it is called a "hot spring department store." Some sources say there are nine types, but the number varies by source, so this article does not state it definitively. Since the source spring varies depending on the inn or facility, checking the spring analysis sheet or posted information before entering is the most reliable way.
Can you bathe in Jigokudani?
Jigokudani is a place to view a volcanic landscape where source springs emerge, not a place for bathing. Think of it as a place to see steam vents and hot pools from the walking paths. Bathing is done at ryokan or day-use facilities in the resort area. There is a natural foot bath along the Oyunuma River, but whether it can be used depends on the season and conditions, so follow local guidance.
Can I enjoy it on a day trip?
Yes. Even just walking the Jigokudani paths and taking one bath at a ryokan or day-use facility lets you experience Noboribetsu's character well. However, if you want to extend your visit to Oyunuma and the natural foot bath and enjoy Jigokudani's appearance in both morning and evening, staying overnight is better. Its proximity to New Chitose Airport and Sapporo makes it easy to include on the first or last day of a trip.
How do I get there from New Chitose Airport or Sapporo?
By train, Noboribetsu Station on the JR Muroran Main Line is the gateway, and the resort area is about 15 minutes away by bus. From New Chitose Airport and Sapporo, there are routes by limited express train and bus to the Noboribetsu area. Travel time and schedules vary by season and operating conditions, so check the latest times before you depart.
Can I still bathe if I do not like the smell of sulfur?
Because facilities differ in their main spring type, some baths have a strong sulfur smell while others feature gentler salt springs or mirabilite springs. If you dislike the smell, choosing a facility that does not mainly use sulfur springs can reduce the burden. Check the listed spring type and avoid long baths if you feel irritation. The source of the sulfur smell is explained in The Smell of Sulfur Springs.
Summary
Noboribetsu Onsen is a famous hot spring destination in Noboribetsu, Hokkaido, known as a "hot spring department store" because multiple spring types, including sulfur springs, salt springs, acidic iron springs, and mirabilite springs, emerge in one area, all sourced from Jigokudani, a roughly 450 m-wide volcanic valley formed by Mt. Hiyori's activity. From the walking paths of Jigokudani to the gray-black Oyunuma, the natural foot bath in the woods, and the oni-and-hell culture of the resort area, it offers a full range of attractions tied to volcanic terrain. It is also easy to access from New Chitose Airport and Sapporo, making it convenient to include in a Hokkaido trip.
If this is your first visit, start by walking through Jigokudani to feel what makes Noboribetsu special, then choose a bath while paying attention to which spring type the facility uses. If you do not stop at the ryokan alone and also visit Jigokudani, Oyunuma, and the oni statues in the resort area, you can enjoy Noboribetsu's personality in a much more three-dimensional way. If you are choosing just one hot spring destination in Hokkaido, this is a strong candidate. For the broader picture of spring types, please see Onsen Spring Types for Beginners.
