Noboribetsu, Hokkaido · Things to do
Things to Do in Noboribetsu: 12 Places with Hours, Prices and Access
12 things to do · checked October 20, 2026
12 things to do in Noboribetsu, from the onsen town down to the station
Hours, prices and access checked against each place's own page on October 20, 2026. They change; check before you go.
1Jigokudani (Hell Valley)登別地獄谷
Volcanic crater and boardwalk · Noboribetsu Onsen
A volcanic crater about 450 m across and 11 hectares in area, formed by Mt. Hiyori, with fumaroles and boiling water. About 10,000 tons of hot spring water flow out of it every day and are piped to the town's hotels and inns.
- Access
- In Noboribetsu Onsen; the Jigokudani Parking Lot is a one-minute walk from the valley (¥500 per car; the ticket is not valid once you leave the lot). A ramp with a maximum slope of 8% runs from the Park Service Center to the observation deck.
- Hours
- No opening hours stated; the observatory lights stay on until about 23:00 and the association recommends visiting before sunset
- Price
- Free
2Oyunuma and the Oyunuma River Natural Footbath大湯沼・大湯沼川天然足湯
Sulphur lake and hot-spring river with a free footbath · Noboribetsu Onsen (above Jigokudani)
Oyunuma is a gourd-shaped lake of grey-black sulphur water with a circumference of about 1 km, left by an eruption of Mt. Hiyori; its surface is about 40 to 50°C. The overflow runs down the Oyunuma River, where a natural footbath sits beside Taisho Jigoku on the river's scenic trail.
- Access
- Oyunuma parking lot, which is closed in winter. The association page gives no walking route or time between Jigokudani, Oyunuma and the footbath.
- Price
- Free (lake and footbath)
3Gokuraku-dori and Enmado極楽通り・閻魔堂
Onsen-town street and mechanical Enma figure · Noboribetsu Onsen town
Gokuraku-dori is the shopping street of the onsen town, known for oni (demon) souvenirs. Enmado houses the Enma Daiou karakuri figure, built in 1993 for the 30th Jigoku Festival, and performs it several times a day.
- Access
- In Noboribetsu Onsen town; parking at the Jigokudani Parking Lot.
- Hours
- Enmado karakuri performances at 10:00, 11:00, 13:00, 15:00, 17:00, 20:00 and 21:00; may be cancelled because of weather
- Price
- Free (Enmado)
4Sengen Park Geyser泉源公園の間欠泉
Geyser · Noboribetsu Onsen (Sengen Park)
A geyser that erupts about every three hours at the riverside of the hot-spring stream flowing from Jigokudani, with a loud blast and a column of steam.
- Access
- Sengen Park, in Noboribetsu Onsen. The association page gives no directions.
- Price
- Free
5Dai-ichi Takimotokan (day-use bath)第一滝本館
Hotel day-use onsen · Noboribetsu Onsen
A hotel opposite the Jigokudani Parking Lot that takes day visitors. The tourism association lists a bathing area with 5 sources and 35 tubs, an open-air bath and a sauna, with five spring types: sulphur, mirabilite, acidic melanterite, saline and sodium bicarbonate.
- Access
- In Noboribetsu Onsen, across from the Jigokudani Parking Lot (¥500 a day). The hotel's own lot may be for hotel guests only when it is full and on weekends and busy periods.
- Hours
- 9:00–18:00 (last exit 21:00)
- Closed on
- Day-use bathing unavailable 5–15 April 2027 (hotel closed for maintenance); otherwise open every day
- Price
- Adults ¥2,500; children aged 3–12 ¥1,500; under 3 free (tax included)
6Yumoto Sagiriyu (public bathhouse)夢元さぎり湯
Public bathhouse with source-fed sulphur water · Noboribetsu Onsen
A public bathhouse in the onsen town, popular with local residents, with a large bath, a sauna and two source-fed spring types.
- Access
- In Noboribetsu Onsen. The bathhouse's own page gives no directions; phone 0143-84-2050.
- Hours
- 9:00–21:00 (last entry 20:30)
- Price
- Adults ¥500; children ¥180; all-day ticket adults ¥710, children ¥300
7Noboribetsu Bear Parkのぼりべつクマ牧場
Bear park reached by ropeway · Noboribetsu Onsen
A mountaintop park reached only by ropeway (about 7 minutes). The association lists a bear kindergarten, a show with scholar bears, the Human Cage where visitors are surrounded by bears, a brown bear museum and Yukara Village, a recreation of everyday Ainu life.
- Access
- Ropeway from the Noboribetsu Onsen town area, about 7 minutes (about 10 in strong wind); the round-trip fare is included in admission. A free shuttle runs between the town and the ropeway station on weekdays only, not on weekends, public holidays, Golden Week or Obon. Parking ¥500 per car.
- Hours
- 21 April–20 October 9:00–17:00 (last entry 16:20); 21 October–20 April 9:30–16:30 (last entry 15:50); may stop in strong wind
- Closed on
- 5–23 April 2027 (ropeway inspection and maintenance; reopens 24 April)
- Price
- Adults ¥3,200; ages 4 to elementary school ¥1,600; 3 and under free (ropeway included)
8Lake Kuttara倶多楽湖
Caldera lake · Kuttarahama (Shiraoi, next to Noboribetsu)
A round caldera lake about 8 km in circumference, with no river flowing in or out, described by the association as one of Japan's most transparent lakes. The Senkei Observatory, at about 320 m on the north-west side, looks down on the lake.
- Access
- Parking at the lake and at the observatory; the association pages give no public-transport directions. Prefectural road 350 (Kuttara Park Line) was closed in winter last year (11 November 2024 to 18 April 2025); the 2026–27 dates were not checked. The lake is in Shiraoi Town.
- Price
- Free (lake and observatory)
9Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura登別伊達時代村
Edo-period cultural park with live shows · Naka-Noboribetsu
A park that recreates village scenery and culture from the Edo period. The park's schedule lists a ninja show (20 min), an oiran show (30 min) and, in summer, an outdoor ninja action show.
- Access
- About 6 minutes by bus from JR Noboribetsu Station; about 3 minutes by car from Noboribetsu IC and about 10 minutes by car from Noboribetsu Onsen. The page gives no bus route or timetable.
- Hours
- 25 April–31 October 2026 9:00–17:00; 1 November 2026 onward 9:00–16:00. Ninja show 9:30, 11:35, 13:30, 15:35 (summer) or 9:40, 11:00, 13:00, 14:35 (winter); oiran show 10:05, 12:30, 14:05, 16:15 (summer) or 10:15, 12:15, 13:45, 15:15 (winter)
- Closed on
- Open every day; closed 8–11 March 2027 for facility inspection
- Price
- Adults (junior high and over) ¥3,300; elementary school ¥1,700; age 4 to preschool ¥600 (tax included)
10Noboribetsu Marine Park Nixe登別マリンパークニクス
Aquarium and amusement park · Noboribetsu Station
An aquarium park whose main building is the NIXE CASTLE aquarium, with an Amphibians House and NIXE LAND, an amusement area. It sits by JR Noboribetsu Station, away from the onsen town.
- Access
- About a five-minute walk from JR Noboribetsu Station. Parking ¥500 per car (750 spaces); the car park opens 8:30 and the last exit is 17:30.
- Hours
- 9:00–17:00 (last admission 16:30); may close temporarily for maintenance, announced on the website in advance
- Price
- Adults (13 and over) ¥3,200; ages 4 to elementary school ¥1,600; under 3 free
11Noboribetsu Jigoku Matsuri (Hell Festival)登別地獄まつり
Summer festival (late August) · Noboribetsu Onsen
A festival built on the legend that the lid of hell's cauldron opens at Jigokudani once a year and the Great Demon King Enma visits the onsen town with his demons. It has Noboribetsu taiko drumming, a demon-themed mikoshi carried by junior high students, demon dancing and the Enma parade along Gokuraku Street, held once a year.
Late August only. The 63rd festival was held 29–30 August 2026; the 2027 dates were not yet posted.
- Access
- Venues are Gokuraku Street, Sengen Park, Jigokudani and a special stage in Noboribetsu Onsen. The association advises using public transport because the car parks fill up.
- Hours
- Normally the last Saturday and Sunday of August; the 63rd was held 29–30 August 2026. The 2027 dates were not yet posted.
- Price
- Free
12Jigokudani Demon Fireworks (Onihanabi)地獄谷の鬼花火
Evening fireworks over the valley · Noboribetsu Onsen (Jigokudani Observatory)
A 15-minute fireworks show launched from Jigokudani, based on a legend of hot-spring demon gods, the Yukijin, who are said to live in the valley. Seating is limited to 1,000 spectators and the show is cancelled in bad weather.
Summer evenings only. The 2026 season ran from 1 June to September; the 2027 schedule was not yet posted.
- Access
- Viewed from the Jigokudani Observatory in Noboribetsu Onsen. Tickets online, or at the Noboribetsu Onsen tourist information office from 15:00 on the day.
- Hours
- 2026 season: from 1 June, Mondays and Thursdays in June, Thursdays in July and in September; starts at 20:00. The 2027 schedule was not yet posted.
- Price
- Adults ¥500; elementary school and under free
Good to know
Noboribetsu is two places. Most of the list is in the onsen town in the hills: Jigokudani, Oyunuma and its footbath, the Sengen Park geyser, Gokuraku-dori and Enmado, the day-use baths and the ropeway up to Bear Park. The onsen town is about 8 km from JR Noboribetsu Station. Nixe is by the station, a five-minute walk away, and Date Jidaimura is about 6 minutes from the station by bus.
The valley, lake, footbath, geyser and Enmado are all free. The three paid parks charge about the same: Bear Park ¥3,200, Nixe ¥3,200 and Date Jidaimura ¥3,300 for an adult. A bath costs from ¥500 at Yumoto Sagiriyu to ¥2,500 at Dai-ichi Takimotokan.
Dates to plan around: Bear Park moves to 9:30–16:30 on 21 October, Date Jidaimura closes at 16:00 from 1 November, the Oyunuma car park is closed in winter, and the road to Lake Kuttara was closed from November to April last winter. Bear Park closes 5–23 April 2027 and the Takimotokan day-use bath 5–15 April 2027. The Jigoku Matsuri is on the last weekend of August.
Free sights, paid parks or a bath
What it costs to get in, when it is open and how you get there. Adult prices; children's prices are on each card above.
| Where | Entry (adult) | Hours | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jigokudani, Oyunuma and footbath, Sengen Park geyser, Enmado | Free | Jigokudani observatory lit until about 23:00; Enmado shows 10:00–21:00; no hours stated for the others | Onsen town, about 8 km from JR Noboribetsu Station; Jigokudani car park ¥500; Oyunuma car park closed in winter |
| Bear Park | ¥3,200 (ropeway included) | 9:00–17:00 to 20 October; 9:30–16:30 from 21 October | Ropeway about 7 minutes from the onsen town; free shuttle on weekdays only |
| Date Jidaimura | ¥3,300 | 9:00–17:00 to 31 October; 9:00–16:00 from 1 November | About 6 minutes by bus from JR Noboribetsu Station; about 10 minutes by car from the onsen town |
| Nixe | ¥3,200 | 9:00–17:00 (last admission 16:30) | About 5 minutes on foot from JR Noboribetsu Station |
| Day-use baths: Yumoto Sagiriyu, Dai-ichi Takimotokan | Sagiriyu ¥500 · Takimotokan ¥2,500 | Sagiriyu 9:00–21:00 (last entry 20:30) · Takimotokan 9:00–18:00 (last exit 21:00) | Onsen town; Takimotokan is across from the Jigokudani car park |
| Lake Kuttara | Free | Not stated | Parking at the lake and the Senkei Observatory; no public-transport directions on the association pages; winter road closure |
By kind of trip
First visit to the onsen town
The valley, the lake and the footbath are free, and the Enmado karakuri runs seven times a day. The Oyunuma car park is closed in winter, so that part is a winter-season question.
Jigokudani (Hell Valley) · Oyunuma and the Oyunuma River Natural Footbath · Gokuraku-dori and Enmado · Sengen Park Geyser
Free things
No entry fee at any of these. Car parking at Jigokudani is ¥500.
Jigokudani (Hell Valley) · Oyunuma and the Oyunuma River Natural Footbath · Sengen Park Geyser · Lake Kuttara
A bath without a hotel stay
Yumoto Sagiriyu is ¥500 for an adult with last entry at 20:30. Dai-ichi Takimotokan is ¥2,500, takes day visitors from 9:00 to 18:00 and is closed to them 5–15 April 2027.
Yumoto Sagiriyu (public bathhouse) · Dai-ichi Takimotokan (day-use bath)
With children or in bad weather
These three are parks with shows or exhibits. Nixe is a five-minute walk from the station and Date Jidaimura about 6 minutes by bus; Bear Park is reached by ropeway from the onsen town and may stop in strong wind.
Noboribetsu Bear Park · Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura · Noboribetsu Marine Park Nixe
Evenings and seasonal events
The Enmado karakuri runs until 21:00. The fireworks started at 20:00 on 2026 summer Thursdays and Mondays, and the Jigoku Matsuri is on the last weekend of August.
Gokuraku-dori and Enmado · Jigokudani Demon Fireworks (Onihanabi) · Noboribetsu Jigoku Matsuri (Hell Festival)
Questions
What is free to do in Noboribetsu?
Jigokudani, Lake Oyunuma, the Oyunuma River natural footbath, the Sengen Park geyser and the Enmado karakuri are all free, as are Lake Kuttara and its Senkei Observatory. Car parking at Jigokudani is ¥500. The Jigoku Matsuri in late August is also free.
How do I get to Noboribetsu Onsen from Sapporo or New Chitose Airport?
From Sapporo, Donan Bus runs the express Onsen-go (about 1 hour 20 minutes, reservation required), and the express Hakucho-go and Chuo Bus Muroran-go also take about 1 hour 20 minutes. From New Chitose Airport the Airport-go takes about 1 hour and needs a reservation. By car the onsen town is about 6 km from Noboribetsu Higashi IC on the Do-O Expressway and about 8 km from JR Noboribetsu Station. Check the Donan Bus timetable for current services.
Can I use an onsen in Noboribetsu without staying overnight?
Yes. Yumoto Sagiriyu is a public bathhouse: adults ¥500, children ¥180, 9:00–21:00 with last entry at 20:30. Dai-ichi Takimotokan takes day visitors for adults ¥2,500 and children aged 3–12 ¥1,500, 9:00–18:00 with last exit at 21:00. The tourism association also lists day-use baths at other hotels; check each hotel's hours before you go.
When are the Jigoku Matsuri and the Jigokudani fireworks?
The Jigoku Matsuri is normally held on the last Saturday and Sunday of August; the 63rd was on 29–30 August 2026 and is free. The 2026 demon fireworks ran from 1 June on Mondays and Thursdays in June, Thursdays in July and Thursdays in September, at 20:00, for ¥500 per adult. The 2027 schedules were not yet posted.
What changes in winter?
The Oyunuma car park is closed in winter. Last winter prefectural road 350 to Lake Kuttara was closed from 11 November 2024 to 18 April 2025. Bear Park runs 9:30–16:30 from 21 October to 20 April, and Date Jidaimura closes at 16:00 from 1 November.