Hokkaido's Noboribetsu Onsen is a popular hot spring destination blessed with an abundance of high-quality water from various spring sources, including sulfur springs. It's also easily accessible from New Chitose Airport and Sapporo. In this article, we'll introduce four carefully selected onsen inns in Noboribetsu, perfect for families and couples on their next trip.

Noboribetsu Jigokudani (Hell Valley), the largest hot spring source and a major tourist attraction in Noboribetsu Onsen.

Before we dive into the hotels, let's cover the basics of what makes Noboribetsu Onsen so special. Here's a quick overview of its location, access, and the unique qualities of its hot springs.

A demon statue greets you as you exit the Noboribetsu-Higashi Interchange on the Do-o Expressway. The onsen town is about a 10-minute drive from here.

Noboribetsu Onsen is relatively easy to get to compared to other hot spring areas in Hokkaido. It's about an hour's drive from New Chitose Airport and around 1 hour and 40 minutes from Sapporo using the expressway. Direct highway buses are available from both New Chitose Airport and Sapporo. Alternatively, you can take a JR train to Noboribetsu Station and then a local bus to the onsen. The main public transport hub is the Noboribetsu Onsen Bus Terminal. From there, the "Gokuraku Dori Shopping Street" stretches out, lined with restaurants and souvenir shops, making it a great location for dining and shopping.

Enjoy three different types of hot springs in the large public bath at Noboribetsu Grand Hotel.

The true charm of Noboribetsu Onsen lies in its abundant, high-quality water and diverse spring types. The area boasts nine different types of springs right in the town, including the famous milky-white sulfur spring with its distinct boiled-egg-like aroma, as well as chloride, iron, and hydrogen carbonate springs. If you include the nearby Karurusu Onsen, the total comes to ten types. While Japan has many famous onsen resorts, it's rare to find a place where you can soak in so many different kinds of hot springs in such a compact area.

A view from the walking path inside Jigokudani. The building in the distance is the onsen ryokan, Dai-ichi Takimotokan.

While Noboribetsu Onsen has multiple sources for its rich variety of waters, the largest is "Jigokudani" (Hell Valley). Jigokudani is a massive explosion crater, about 450 meters in diameter and 11 hectares in area, formed by the eruption of Mount Hiyoriyama. Located right next to the onsen town, it's also a major tourist attraction. The valley is dotted with numerous springs and fumaroles, with steam rising and hot water bubbling up from the ground. There are observation decks overlooking the valley and walking paths that let you get up close to witness the raw power of the earth.

Along with Jigokudani, the boiling Oyunuma Pond is another must-see tourist spot.

The entire Noboribetsu Onsen area, centered around Jigokudani, is a source of diverse hot springs. This water is supplied to the hotels, ryokans, and public bathhouses in the onsen town. Just one look at the awe-inspiring Jigokudani is enough to convince you of the high quality and promise of the hot springs at any facility here. By the way, you'll see many demon-themed statues and products in Noboribetsu Onsen. This is said to originate from Jigokudani, with the association of "jigoku" (hell) and "oni" (demons).

Thanks to its prime location, you're guaranteed a fantastic hot spring experience at any inn in Noboribetsu Onsen. However, each facility has its own unique character, with differences in the number and types of springs, the number of baths, and of course, their dining and guest rooms. While it's hard to choose, here are four of our top recommended onsen hotels and ryokans.

Dai-ichi Takimotokan

Dai-ichi Takimotokan is a landmark historic onsen ryokan in Noboribetsu. Its origins trace back to 1858, when founder Takimoto Kinzo built a therapeutic bathhouse to treat his wife's skin condition. The ryokan boasts five different spring sources, and its vast bathing area, spanning about 5,000 square meters, features a total of 35 different baths for men and women combined. What's more, all of them are fed by free-flowing hot spring water straight from the source. The scale and quality are unparalleled in Hokkaido, truly making it a hot spring paradise.

The bathing area has numerous tubs with various spring qualities.

It is also the closest accommodation to Jigokudani, and the Gokuraku Dori Shopping Street, with its restaurants and souvenir shops, is right in front of the inn. Its location is perfect for strolling through Hell Valley and the onsen town.

The men's bathing area offers a panoramic view of Hell Valley through its windows.

The spring types include Noboribetsu's signature sulfur spring; a sodium sulfate spring (Boshosen), which is highly acidic and said to be effective for high blood pressure; an acidic vitriol spring, known to be good for atopic dermatitis; a sodium bicarbonate spring (Jusosen), often called "beauty water" for its skin-smoothing properties; and a saline spring (Shokuensen), which helps prevent post-bath chills. It's rare to find a single facility, even among Japan's most famous onsen resorts, where you can enjoy so many different types of springs. And all are free-flowing from the source. Guests can use the baths from 4:00 AM to 1:00 AM the next day, allowing for a truly immersive onsen experience.

The outdoor baths also feature multiple spring types, including sulfur springs.

Dai-ichi Takimotokan offers various types of guest rooms with a serene Japanese aesthetic. These include tatami-mat rooms, Western-style rooms with Japanese touches, and combination rooms. There are also rooms with private open-air onsen baths, accessible rooms, and even pet-friendly rooms for guests with dogs. With rooms accommodating from 2 to 8 people, it's convenient for both families and groups. The guest rooms are located in multiple buildings—the Main, East, South, and West Wings—and the building varies depending on the room type.

Premium West Wing Corner Special Room with an open-air onsen bath. This is the closest guest room to Jigokudani.

Enjoy free-flowing hot spring water in a Shigaraki-ware open-air bath.

For meals, you can choose between a buffet or a traditional Japanese kaiseki dinner served at a restaurant or in your room. The buffet features a wide variety of dishes made with seasonal ingredients, including freshly made tempura and steak prepared right before your eyes.

The buffet offers a generous selection of fresh sashimi.

At the dining restaurant where Japanese kaiseki is served, dishes are brought out fresh from the open kitchen. This is recommended for those who want to enjoy a leisurely meal. In-room dining is also available exclusively for guests staying in certain rooms in the Main Wing.

Image of the "Takimoto Gozen" Japanese kaiseki dinner at the restaurant.

※Photos courtesy of Dai-ichi Takimotokan

adex inn

Located across from Dai-ichi Takimotokan, adex inn is an onsen hotel designed with the concept of "adventure." It's a casual and comfortable place for outdoor enthusiasts and long-term visitors. Key features include spaces for storing outdoor gear like skis, a drying room, and Noboribetsu Onsen's first-ever bakery & cafe on the ground floor. And of course, you can enjoy the hot springs.

The onsen at adex inn is an unfiltered sulfur spring rich with natural minerals.

adex inn has one sulfur spring bath for each gender. However, a major perk for guests is that they can use the extensive onsen facilities at Dai-ichi Takimotokan across the street for free during their stay. Since adex inn is more reasonably priced than Dai-ichi Takimotokan, this is a fantastic value-added service.

Image of a twin room.

The hotel has 47 rooms in total, with two types: 39 twin rooms and 8 single rooms. It's perfect for solo travelers or pairs looking for a no-frills trip. Single-use accommodations are rare in Noboribetsu Onsen, making this a valuable option.

Image of the Media Room.

There is also a common area called the "Media Room" for guests, where you can browse a library of outdoor-related books and magazines or use a projector to display your own photos and videos on a large screen.

Image of the cafe seating on the lobby floor.

Meals are available at the "adex BAKERY&CAFE" on the lobby floor. You can enjoy 15-20 types of freshly baked bread and pastries, including the "Onsen Croissant" made with fermented butter and drinkable onsen water, along with coffee. It's a charming and convenient spot for breakfast or a break during your strolls. This hotel is recommended for those who want a casual stay in Noboribetsu, outdoor sports enthusiasts, or digital nomads looking for a medium- to long-term stay.

※Photos courtesy of adex inn

Noboribetsu Grand Hotel

Noboribetsu Grand Hotel is an accommodation where you can enjoy three types of hot springs, all free-flowing from the source, in its dome-shaped Roman-style bath and garden open-air bath with a waterfall. It also features an "Oni Sauna" (Demon Sauna) themed after Noboribetsu's demons, making it popular not only with onsen fans but also with sauna enthusiasts.

In addition to the onsen, the Oni Sauna is a must-try.

The three types of hot springs are sulfur, iron, and saline. The sulfur spring is representative of Noboribetsu Onsen and is said to have detoxifying effects, making it effective for chronic skin diseases and joint disorders. While there are various types of iron springs, the one at Noboribetsu Grand Hotel is a highly acidic aluminum sulfate spring, known for its strong astringent effect on the skin and mucous membranes. The saline spring is said to have excellent heat and moisture retention properties, making it perfect for a final soak before you get out of the bath.

The garden open-air bath (left) and Oni Sauna (right) in the Hozuki no Yu bath.

There are two bathing areas, "Hozuki no Yu" and "Rindo no Yu," which are rotated between men and women. On odd-numbered days, Hozuki no Yu is for women and Rindo no Yu is for men; on even-numbered days, it's the reverse. The switch happens daily during the closing time from 2:30 AM to 3:30 AM.

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

Both Hozuki no Yu and Rindo no Yu feature a spacious, dome-shaped Roman-style indoor bath. In the large central circular bath, you can enjoy the saline spring, while three smaller baths around the perimeter offer sulfur, iron, and saline springs, respectively. The outdoor garden baths have different atmospheres. At Hozuki no Yu, you can soak in a rock bath with sulfur water while watching a waterfall. At Rindo no Yu, you can enjoy a sulfur spring in a stone-themed open-air bath, as well as a saline spring in a cypress bath.

The dome-shaped Roman-style grand bath.

Another great feature is the private family onsen bath, available for reservation. It's perfect for families, couples, or anyone who prefers privacy. The water here is a saline spring, and it can accommodate up to four people at a time (reservations required).

In the Oni Sauna, you can enjoy alternating between hot and cold baths in the "Aka-no-Kama" and "Ao-no-Kama" cauldrons.

The popular Oni Sauna is located in the Hozuki no Yu bath. It's a demonically hot auto-löyly sauna set at 110°C. It features a cypress cold water bath using stream water at around 16°C. Additionally, there are two cauldron baths: the "Aka-no-Kama" (Red Cauldron) hot bath at 43-44°C and the "Ao-no-Kama" (Blue Cauldron) cold water bath, perfect for alternating hot and cold bathing. You're sure to reach a state of blissful relaxation, or "totonou," demon-style.

A 10-tatami-mat Japanese-style room. Various sizes and types are available, including 16-mat rooms.

Guest rooms include several types of Japanese and Western-style rooms of varying sizes and capacities, as well as rooms with private open-air baths, special suites, and VIP rooms. You can choose a room that suits your travel style, whether it's a trip for two, a family vacation, or a group outing.

A premium Western-style room: the Suite Room with a scenic bath.

Meals are served in a Japanese-Western fusion style, featuring plenty of Hokkaido and local ingredients. The standard dinner is a buffet where chefs cook for you at live stations. You can enjoy as much as you like from about 70 dishes, including Japanese, Western, and Chinese cuisine. Breakfast is also a buffet.

Enjoy freshly prepared dishes.

You won't want to miss the dishes prepared by the chefs right in front of you!

A spread of seasonal ingredients.

A unique feature of the buffet is the sweets workshop. The moist and fluffy Baumkuchen cake baked in the workshop is exquisite! It's a must-try dessert.

Baumkuchen from the sweets workshop.

Depending on the accommodation plan, you can also choose a set course meal at a restaurant instead of the buffet. Options like the "Kani Gozen" (crab feast) or the "Oiwai no Zen" (celebration meal) are perfect for those who want a more relaxed and quiet dining experience.

※Photos courtesy of Noboribetsu Grand Hotel

Noboribetsu Manseikaku

Noboribetsu Manseikaku is located right in front of the Noboribetsu Onsen Bus Terminal, making it incredibly convenient for those arriving by public transport. In addition to its excellent onsen, it also offers a great sauna experience, with the unique feature of using onsen water for its cold bath.

The open-air bath at the women's bathing area, "Hoshi no Yu."

The onsen is a sulfur spring, officially classified as an "Acidic-Sulfur-Iron-Simple Hot Spring (Hydrogen Sulfide Type)." While the water flows directly from the source into the tubs, fresh water is added to adjust the temperature when the source water is too hot. Both the men's and women's bathing areas have indoor and outdoor baths, allowing you to relax and enjoy Noboribetsu's famous waters. For those particular about their hair care, there's even a shampoo bar.

The women's bathing area, "Hoshi no Yu," also has a tatami-matted washing area for children.

The bathing area also features a löyly sauna kept between 80°C and 90°C, along with a cold spring water bath (17°C-19°C) and a cold groundwater bath (15°C-17°C). The cold spring water bath is made by cooling the Noboribetsu onsen water itself. There aren't many places where you can cool down in a milky-white onsen water bath. With outdoor air-bathing benches available, you're guaranteed a blissful state of "totonou."

The sauna, made from domestic cypress and birch, offers a pleasant, woody aroma.

The hotel offers a range of rooms suitable for everything from solo trips to family and group travel, including Japanese-style rooms, modern Japanese rooms, and special rooms with private onsen or saunas. All rooms except the Western-style single and double rooms have separate baths and toilets, a welcome feature for families and larger groups.

The most common room type, the 10-tatami-mat Japanese room, is spacious with an entrance area and a veranda, accommodating up to 5 people.

Meals are buffet-style, with about 90 different dishes, including a make-your-own kaisendon (seafood bowl), Japanese, Western, and Chinese cuisine, as well as local dishes inspired by Ainu cuisine and international fare. At the live kitchen, you can enjoy freshly cooked, hot dishes. The all-you-can-drink service, which includes beer, wine, sake, and soft drinks, is another great perk. The dining area is very family-friendly, with a kids' buffet corner and a baby room in one corner of the restaurant. There are also carts available for carrying food, which is popular among elderly guests. Noboribetsu Manseikaku is highly recommended not only for onsen lovers but also for sauna enthusiasts and families.

Enjoy a wide variety of dishes.

Create your own original seafood bowl.

Enjoy all-you-can-drink with about 40 types of beverages at dinner.

※Photos courtesy of Noboribetsu Manseikaku

Noboribetsu Onsen is a hot spring resort blessed with exceptional water quality, not just in Hokkaido but across all of Japan. While it's often associated with images of hell and demons, it's more of a hot spring paradise. There are numerous accommodations where you can enjoy free-flowing onsen water, each with its own unique charm. Its easy access from New Chitose Airport and its vibrant town perfect for strolling, shopping, and dining make it an attractive travel destination. Why not spend a blissful holiday indulging in the hot springs at your favorite inn in Noboribetsu Onsen?

※All information is current as of November 2025.
※Events may be changed or canceled. Please check official websites for the latest information before attending.