Noboribetsu Onsen in Hokkaido is a popular hot spring resort that is blessed with an abundant supply of hot spring water and a variety of spring qualities, including sulfur springs, and is easily accessible from New Chitose Airport and Sapporo city. In this article, we will introduce four carefully selected recommended hot spring inns in Noboribetsu Onsen that are perfect for families and couples to visit while sightseeing.

Noboribetsu Jigokudani, the largest hot spring source and tourist attraction of Noboribetsu Onsen

Before introducing the hot spring hotels in Noboribetsu Onsen, we will first introduce the characteristics of Noboribetsu Onsen. Following the location and access information, we will provide some basic information about the quality of the spring water and the source of the spring water.

When you exit the Noboribetsu Higashi Interchange on the Do-o Expressway, you will be greeted by a demon statue. From here, it is about a 10-minute drive to the hot spring town.

Noboribetsu Onsen is a relatively easily accessible hot spring resort in Hokkaido. It takes about an hour by car from New Chitose Airport, and about an hour and 40 minutes from Sapporo city if you use the expressway. There are direct express buses from New Chitose Airport and Sapporo city, and you can also get there by taking the JR line and changing to a local bus at Noboribetsu Station. The entrance to the public transport system is the Noboribetsu Onsen Bus Terminal. From this area, you can enjoy eating and shopping to your heart's content, as the Gokuraku Dori Shopping Street lined with restaurants and souvenir shops continues.

Noboribetsu Grand Hotel's large public bath offers three different types of spring water.

The appeal of Noboribetsu Onsen is, without a doubt, its abundant water supply and variety of spring qualities. There are nine types of springs in the Noboribetsu Onsen town alone, including milky sulfur springs with a distinctive boiled egg smell, chloride springs, iron springs, and bicarbonate springs, and there are ten types in the Noboribetsu Onsen area, including the nearby Karurusu Onsen. There are many famous hot springs all over Japan, but it is rare to find a hot spring resort where you can bathe in water of so many different spring qualities in such a small area.

A view from the walking trail in Noboribetsu Jigokudani. The building in the background is the hot spring inn "Daiichi Takimotokan."

Noboribetsu Onsen has multiple hot springs with a wide variety of spring qualities and abundant hot water, but the largest is Noboribetsu Jigokudani. Noboribetsu Jigokudani is an explosion crater with a diameter of about 450m and an area of about 11ha, formed by the eruption of Mt. Hiyori. It is adjacent to the hot spring town and is one of Noboribetsu Onsen's most famous tourist attractions. There are numerous springs and fumaroles in the valley, and in some places you can see smoke rising, as well as hot springs gushing out. There is an observation deck overlooking Noboribetsu Jigokudani, and a promenade has been built in part of the valley, so you can get a close-up look at the power of the earth.

Along with Noboribetsu Jigokudani, Oyunuma, where hot water springs forth, is also a must-see tourist spot.

A wide variety of hot springs gush out from the valley of Noboribetsu Jigokudani in the Noboribetsu Onsen area. These hot springs supply water to the hotels and inns in the hot spring town, as well as to hot spring bathhouses for day trips. Just seeing Noboribetsu Jigokudani, where you can experience the wonders of nature, will give you confidence that the hot springs at each facility in this area are of high quality and you can expect great things from them. Incidentally, there are many statues and products with demon motifs in Noboribetsu Onsen, which are said to have originated from Noboribetsu Jigokudani, due to the association of hell with demons.

No matter which hot spring inn you stay at, you can be sure to enjoy great baths in Noboribetsu Onsen, which has a great location. Each facility has different spring quality and number of bathtubs, and of course each facility has its own characteristics in terms of meals and rooms. It's hard to choose a favorite, but we've picked out four recommended hot spring hotels and inns to introduce.

Daiichi Takimotokan

Dai-ichi Takimotokan is a long-established hot spring inn that represents Noboribetsu Onsen. The origins of Dai-ichi Takimotokan date back to 1858, when founder Kinzo Takimoto built a hot springs resort to cure his wife's skin disease. The resort has five hot springs with different qualities, and the vast bath area of about 5,000m2 has 35 different baths for men and women. What's more, all of the baths are free-flowing from the source. The scale and quality of the springs are by far the best in Hokkaido, making it truly worthy of being called a hot spring paradise.

There are many baths in the bathhouse, and the spring quality is varied.

In addition, it is the closest accommodation to Noboribetsu Jigokudani, and Gokuraku-dori Shopping Street, lined with restaurants and souvenir shops, is right in front of the inn. It is also conveniently located for strolling and shopping in Noboribetsu Jigokudani and the hot spring town.

From the men's bath, you can see the whole of Jigokudani through the windows.

The springs include sulfur springs, which are typical of Noboribetsu Onsen, Glauber's salt springs, which are highly acidic and said to be effective against high blood pressure, acidic vermilion springs, which are said to be good for atopic dermatitis, sodium bicarbonate springs, which have the effect of smoothing the skin and are said to be beauty baths, and salt springs, which keep you warm after bathing. It is rare to find a place where you can bathe in so many different springs in a single facility, even among Japan's famous hot spring areas. What's more, they are all free-flowing from the source. Guests can use the baths from 4:00 to 25:00, so you can enjoy a stay that is truly full of hot springs.

The open-air bath has a variety of spring water types, including sulfur springs.

Dai-ichi Takimotokan offers several types of guest rooms with a relaxing Japanese atmosphere. In addition to Japanese-style rooms with tatami flooring, Western-style rooms with a Japanese touch, and Japanese-Western rooms, there are also rooms with open-air hot spring baths, barrier-free rooms, and dog rooms where pets are allowed. Rooms range from 2 people to 8 people, making them convenient for families and groups. The guest rooms are located in several buildings, including the Main Building, East Building, South Building, and West Building, and the building changes depending on the room type.

Premium West Wing Corner Special Room with open-air hot spring bath. The closest guest room to Noboribetsu Jigokudani

You can enjoy the hot spring water straight from the source in an open-air bath made of Shigaraki ware.

Meals can be chosen buffet style or a Japanese-style dinner in the dining area or in your room. At the buffet, you can enjoy as much as you like of a variety of dishes made with seasonal ingredients, including piping hot tempura and steaks prepared right before your eyes.

The buffet also offers a wide variety of fresh sashimi.

In the restaurant where you can enjoy a Japanese banquet meal, the food is freshly prepared from the open kitchen. It is recommended for those who want to enjoy a meal at a leisurely pace. In-room dining is also available only to guests staying in certain rooms in the main building.

Image of the Japanese banquet meal "Takimoto Gozen" served at a restaurant

*Photo courtesy of Dai-ichi Takimotokan

adex inn

Adex Inn is a hot spring hotel located opposite Dai-ichi Takimotokan. Based on the concept of "adventure," it is a comfortable accommodation for those who want to enjoy outdoor activities and long-term guests. It features a space to store outdoor gear such as skis, a drying room, and the first floor is the first bakery and cafe in Noboribetsu Onsen. Of course, you can also enjoy the hot springs.

Adex Inn is an unfiltered sulfur spring with plenty of hot spring minerals.

Adex Inn's hot springs have one sulfur spring bath for men and one for women. However, guests staying at Adex Inn can use the hot springs at Dai-ichi Takimotokan across the street for free during their stay. Since Adex Inn's accommodation fees are more reasonable than Dai-ichi Takimotokan's, this is a very welcome and good value service.

Image of a twin room

There are two types of rooms: 39 twin rooms and 8 single rooms. There are 47 rooms in total. It is best for solo travelers or couples who want to enjoy a simple trip. In particular, there are few facilities for single use in Noboribetsu Onsen, so it is a valuable place.

Image of a media room

There is also a free space called the Media Room that is available 24 hours a day to guests only. Here you can browse the library of outdoor-related books and magazines, or use the projector to project your own photos and videos onto a large screen.

Image of the cafe seating on the first floor

For meals, head to the "adex BAKERY&CAFE" on the first floor of the building. You can enjoy 15 to 20 kinds of freshly baked bread and pastries along with coffee, including the "Hot Spring Croissant" made with fermented butter and drinkable hot spring water. The hotel is great for those who want to relax in Noboribetsu Onsen, those who play outdoor sports, or those who want to stay for a medium to long term as a nomadic worker.

*Photo courtesy of Dai-ichi Takimotokan

Noboribetsu Grand Hotel

Noboribetsu Grand Hotel is a lodging facility where you can enjoy three types of hot springs directly from the source in a dome-shaped Roman bath and a garden open-air bath with a waterfall. There is also a Noboribetsu demon-themed "Oni Sauna," making this hot spring hotel popular not only with hot spring fans but also with sauna lovers.

Check out the Oni Sauna along with the hot springs

There are three types of hot springs: sulfur springs, iron springs, and salt springs. Sulfur springs are the most common type of spring at Noboribetsu Onsen, and are said to have a detoxifying effect and are effective against chronic skin and joint diseases. There are various types of iron springs in general, but Noboribetsu Grand Hotel uses aluminum sulfate springs, which are highly acidic and have a strong effect of tightening the skin and mucous membranes. Salt springs are said to have a warming and moisturizing effect, and are recommended as a finishing touch before bathing after enjoying the sulfur or iron springs.

The open-air garden bath (left) and the demon sauna (right) at Hozuki-no-Yu

There are two types of baths, "Hozuki no Yu" and "Rindo no Yu," and they are used by men and women on an alternating basis. On odd-numbered days, women use the Hozuki no Yu and men use the Rindo no Yu, and on even-numbered days, the opposite is true. The baths close every night between 2:30 and 3:30 a.m., and the men and women switch baths.

The atmosphere of the garden open-air bath at Hozuki-no-Yu

The indoor baths at both Hozuki-no-Yu and Gentian-no-Yu are large, dome-shaped, Roman-style baths with a sense of openness. You can enjoy salt springs in the large circular bathroom in the center, and sulfur springs, iron springs, and salt springs in three smaller baths around the building. The outdoor garden open-air baths each have a different atmosphere. At Hozuki-no-Yu's garden open-air bath, you can bathe in a sulfur spring rock bath while watching the waterfall flow. Meanwhile, at Gentian-no-Yu's garden open-air bath, you can enjoy the sulfur spring in the stone-based open-air bath, as well as the salt spring in the cypress bath.

Domed Roman Baths

Another attractive feature is the private hot spring bath for families. It is recommended for families or couples who want to bathe alone, or for those who do not want others to see their bodies. The spring quality here is saline. Up to four people can use it at a time (reservation required).

At Oni Sauna, you can enjoy alternating hot and cold baths in the red and blue pots.

The Oni Sauna, popular among sauna lovers, is located in Kito-no-Yu. It is an autorch-style sauna with a fiendishly high temperature of 110 degrees, and there is a cypress bath using stream water at about 16 degrees, as well as a 43-44 degree hot water kettle bath called "Akanohakama" and a cold water bath called "Aonohakama", so you can enjoy alternating between hot and cold baths. You will surely feel like a demon in a state of "totono".

Japanese-style room with 10 tatami mats. There are multiple sizes and types available, including 16 tatami mats.

There are several types of Japanese-style rooms and Western-style rooms with different sizes and occupancy capacities, as well as rooms with open-air baths, special rooms, VIP rooms, etc. You can choose a room to suit your needs and preferences, whether you're traveling for two, with your family, or in a group.

A superior Western-style room, a suite room with a panoramic bath

Meals are served in a Japanese-Western style, using a lot of Hokkaido ingredients and local ingredients. The basic pattern for dinner is a buffet style, where the chef cooks and serves the food in front of you. You can taste as much as you like from about 70 Japanese, Western, and Chinese dishes. Breakfast is also buffet style.

You can enjoy freshly cooked food

I definitely want to try the food prepared by the chef right in front of me!

A lineup of seasonal ingredients

The buffet venue also features a sweets workshop. The moist and fluffy Baumkuchen baked in the workshop is exquisite! It's a dish you definitely want to try.

Baumkuchen from the Sweets Workshop

Depending on the accommodation plan, you can choose to have dinner in the dining area instead of buffet style. Recommended for those who want to have a leisurely meal, there are options such as the "Crab Gozen" with crab as well as the "Celebration Meal" for special occasions.

*Photo provided by Noboribetsu Grand Hotel

Noboribetsu Manseikaku

"Noboribetsu Manseikaku" is located right in front of the Noboribetsu Onsen Bus Terminal, making it an extremely convenient hot spring accommodation facility when visiting Noboribetsu Onsen by public transportation. In addition to hot spring bathing, you can also enjoy the sauna, and another major feature is that the cold bath uses hot spring water.

The open-air bath at the women's bathhouse "Hoshi no Yu"

The hot spring is a sulfur spring, and its official name is "acidic-sulfur-iron-simple hot spring (hydrogen sulfide type)." Although the spring water flows directly into the bathtub, the temperature of the spring is left to nature, so if the temperature is too high, water is added to adjust it to an appropriate temperature. There are indoor and outdoor baths for both men and women, so you can relax and enjoy Noboribetsu's famous hot springs. There is also a shampoo bar for those who want to be particular about their shampoo and conditioner.

Only the women's bath, "Hoshi no Yu," has a tatami-mat washing area for children.

The bath area also has a loyly sauna kept at 80-90 degrees, a spring water bath kept at 17-19 degrees, and a groundwater bath at 15-17 degrees. The spring water bath is a water bath where the source of Noboribetsu Onsen is cooled as is. There aren't many facilities where you can soak in a milky water bath to cool down. There are also outdoor bathing benches, so you're sure to feel comfortable and at ease.

The sauna is made from Japanese cypress and birch, and the scent of wood fills the air, creating a comfortable environment.

The guest rooms are mainly Japanese-style, and special rooms with hot springs and saunas are scheduled to be renovated and reopened. The rooms are easy to use for solo travelers, families with 4-5 people, and group trips. All rooms except for the Western-style single and double rooms have separate bathrooms and toilets, which is a great point for families and other large groups.

The 10 tatami Japanese-style rooms, which have the largest number of guest rooms, are spacious with separate entrance and veranda, and can accommodate up to 5 people.

Meals are served buffet-style, with around 90 different dishes on offer, including Japanese, Western, and Chinese cuisine, as well as local and international dishes inspired by Ainu cuisine. There is a live kitchen, so you can enjoy freshly made sushi and other piping hot food. There is a kids' buffet corner, and a baby room in one corner of the restaurant, making it an easy place to dine with children. There is also a cart for carrying food around, which is popular with the elderly. Noboribetsu Manseikaku is especially recommended for those who love hot springs, saunas, and families.

You can enjoy a variety of dishes

You can also enjoy fresh sashimi and sushi to your heart's content.

*Photo provided by Noboribetsu Manseikaku

Noboribetsu Onsen is a hot spring area blessed with excellent spring quality, not only in Hokkaido but across the country. Noboribetsu Onsen has a strong image of hell or demons, but rather than being a hell it is one of Japan's leading hot spring paradises. There are many accommodations where you can enjoy hot springs directly from the source, and each facility has its own unique charm. Another attractive point as a travel destination is that it is easily accessible from New Chitose Airport and is a location where you can enjoy strolling, shopping, and dining. Why not spend a holiday immersed in hot springs to your heart's content at your favorite hot spring inn in Noboribetsu Onsen?

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