Hell Valley （地獄谷） & Tessen Pond （鉄泉池） etc | Noboribetsu

Noboribetsu, part of Shikotsu-Toya National Park, is one of the popular onsen (hot spring) towns in Japan.

There are a lot of attractions just above the onsen (hot spring) area, and I'll show you two typical walking trails for you; a short version and a long version.

If you have 30-minute to one-hour spare time, how about this course?

In front of "Noboribetsu Daiichitakimoto", one of the oldest hot spring hotel, you can easily find "Sengen Park （泉源公園）"↓

Every three hours, the geyser shoots out of the grand,

with great sound and steam!

On the way from the park to "Jigokudani (Hell Valley), you can find a shrine on your left!

"Oni Bokora （鬼祠"）, which are consist of a standing image of a red demon 3.5m and and a seated image of a blue demon 2.2m in height, are enshrined on either side of the shrine. This is a popular photo spot!

You cannot miss Jigokudani (Hell Vally) when you come to Noboribetsu! It displays hot steam vents, sulfurous streams and other volcanic activities.

It is designated not only as one of the "100 Selections of Fragrant & Beautiful Scenery" but also as "Hokkaido Heritage" site! The diameter is about 450m and the area is about 11ha. A huge caldera, isn't it?

It is a main source of Noboribetsu's hot spring waters.

Let's go downstairs from the main walking tail along the valley. You will find "Yakushi Nyorai Statue （薬師如来像） -- Buddha which can cure all diseases--". In the 19th century, a samurai rinsed his eyes with this sulfurous water near this statue and he was fully recovered from his eye troubles. Wow! Wow! Wow!

Near the statue, you can see the Hell Valley from the lower angles↓

Amazing, isn't it??
Let's go back to the main Hell Valley walking tail! At the end of the trail,

You will find "Tessen Pond （鉄泉池)".  Be careful of the gentle sloping trail especially during the winter. It is very slippery!!!!

Anyway, please enjoy steaming sulfurous streams, very natural hot springs, around the trail!  I really love Hell Valley in Noboribetsu!!!!

This is "Tessen Pond"↓
The water flows out here is 80 degrees Celsius warm.

I'm sure you must be impressed and satisfied with Noboribetsu hot spring area!

When you come to Noboribetsu in the fall (usually the end of September to October), you will enjoy the colorful leaves and Jigokudani (Hell Valley) all together!

Beautiful, isn't it???

Are you interested in the valley in the winter time?

It is also soooooo picturesque!

Which season do you think the best to come here? It must be really difficult to choose one!!

When you have two hour spare time, you can walk to ponds and a river filled with hot spring water. Actually you can enjoy soaking your foot into the natural hot spring river!!! I love it!

If you are interested in the long version of Noboribetsu walking trail, please refer to my next post→click here! I really recommend the longer walking trail, too!

■Where is "Jigokudani (Hell Valley) in Noboribetsu?

View Larger Map

■Tour guide information■

Do you need a nationally-licensed English-speaking tour guide when you travel to Hokkaido?

I'll guide you! Plz click here!