Noboribetsu

Noboribetsu (登別, [1]) is a town in Shikotsu-Toya National Park, Hokkaido, Japan.

Culture and History

Noboribetsu actually comprises the nearby towns of Noboribetsu, Horobetsu and Washibetsu. However, for most visitors the main target is the hot spring village of Noboribetsu Onsen (登別温泉), 6 km inland from Noboribetsu itself. The vast majority of (Japanese) tourists are drawn to the 11 types of water found in the local hot springs. Water contains sulfur and iron.

Travel to Noboribetsu - Visa Requirements

Flights and airtickets to Noboribetsu

The nearest airport is Sapporo's New Chitose Airport, served by Donan Bus [2] direct to Noboribetsu (¥1,170). You can also take a train directly from the airport.

By train

Noboribetsu is located on the JR Muroran Line between Oshamambe and Tomakomai.

Several limited express trains stop at Noboribetsu: The Hokuto and Super Hokuto, on runs between Hakodate and Sapporo, and the Suzuran, on runs between Sapporo and Higashi-Muroran.

From Sapporo, Noboribetsu can be reached by limited express in about one hour at a cost of ¥4160. The run from Hakodate to Noboribetsu is about 2 1/4 hours at a cost of ¥6500.

Noboribetsu is also served by overnight trains: The Cassiopeia and Hokutosei trains to and from Ueno Station in Tokyo, the Twilight Express to and from Kyoto and Osaka in Kansai, and the Hamanasu express to and from Aomori.

Tours and Getting around Noboribetsu

The main sights of Noboribetsu Onsen can be seen easily on foot. Sensible footwear is highly advisable as this area gets a lot of snow. Some of the paths around Hell Valley can be impassable even in Spring.

Noboribetsu tourist attractions and sightseeing

• Hell Valley (地獄谷 Jigokudani). Sulphurous volcanic pits and geysers. Included in the Japanese Minstry of Environment`s top 100 areas of fragrance and scenery!

• Bear Farm (クマ牧場 Kumabokujo). The small, crowded enclosures in which the bears are kept may be disturbing to Western visitors. The entry fee is also quite expensive - ¥2500, and there are only 3 cages of bears.

• Marine Park (マリンパーク). Aquarium built like a Danish castle, with a small amusement park bolted on.

• Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura [3]

Noboribetsu city tours

Get wet! The area boasts a huge number of hot spring resorts in all shapes and sizes. The majority are within walking distance from the bus station. If staying overnight it is de rigeur to wander around town dressed in yukata.

• Dai-Ichi Takimotokan, tel. +81-0143-84-2111, [4]. This famous hotel makes a creditable claim to being the largest spa in Asia. ¥2000 gets you one day's access to the 29 large baths, the largest of which is nearly 4,950m² in size. Open 24 hours.

Noboribetsu souvenirs and shopping

The town has plenty of souvenir shops and there is an abundance of demon related paraphernalia to take home. Bath salts are also very popular. Keep an eye out for locally made beer, the cans come in blue or red and have a demon motif.

Noboribetsu Restaurants: cheap, moderate and expensive

Noboribetsu nightlife, bars, clubs and pubs

Noboribetsu cheap and luxurious hotels, youth hostels and lodging

Get out

This page was last edited by Peter Fitzgerald. Based on work by Mårten Engelberg, Victor, Jani Patokallio and Jose Ramos, Wikitravel user(s) Episteme and StayDown! and Anonymous user(s) of Wikitravel. - Content on this page is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 1.0 license