Noboribetsu (登別) is a city in Iburi, Hokkaido, Japan. For most visitors the main target is the hot spring village of Noboribetsu Onsen (登別温泉), 6 km inland from Noboribetsu. 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.
Understand
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Noboribetsu comprises the nearby towns of Noboribetsu, Horobetsu and Washibetsu.
Tourist information site
[edit]The local tourist association has a multilingual guide site.
Get in
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By plane
[edit]The nearest airport is Sapporo's New Chitose Airport, served by Donan Bus direct to Noboribetsu (¥1,170). You can also take a train directly from the airport.
By train
[edit]1 Noboribetsu station (登別駅). 
is centrally located in Noboribetsu town and 5.5km from the Onsen. Take a local bus (which might not connect well with the train), or a local taxi (￥2000 in 2025) to get to the Onsen. Limited express service is frequent (approximately hourly).
From Tohoku, Hakodate
[edit]Take the limited express Hokuto from Hakodate (2h 30min). From Tohoku and the rest of Japan, change for the Hokuto at Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto. Note that seat reservations are mandatory.
From Sapporo
[edit]Take the limited express Hokuto or Suzuran from JR Sapporo station (1h 20min). Seat reservations are mandatory.
By bus
[edit]If you're looking for a cheaper alternative than the train, these two companies run services from Sapporo:
- Chūō bus (中央). From Sapporo train station and Chūō bus terminal (中央バスターミナル, chūō basu tāminaru) to Noboribetsu bus stop 350 m away north-west from Noboribetsu train station.
- Dōnan Bus (道南バス). From Sapporo train station, 2 stops in Noboribetsu-onsen.
Local buses leave from in front of the Noboribetsu JR station twice-hourly. Takes about 20 minutes to reach the Onsen.
Get around
[edit]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.
See
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- 1 Hell Valley (地獄谷 Jigokudani). Sulphurous volcanic pits and geysers. Included in the Japanese Ministry of Environment`s top 100 areas of fragrance and scenery!
- 2 Bear Farm (クマ牧場 Kumabokujō). 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.
- 3 Marine Park Nixe (マリンパークニクス, marin pāku nikusu). Aquarium built like a Danish castle, with a small amusement park bolted on.
- 4 Noboribetsu Date Jidaimura (登別伊達時代村). Theme park about Edo era.
Do
[edit]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 rigueur to wander around town dressed in yukata.
- Dai-Ichi Takimotokan (第一滝本館), ☏ +81-0143-84-2111. This famous hotel makes a credible 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 4,950 m² in size. Open 24 hours.
Buy
[edit]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.
Eat
[edit]- Fukuan (福庵), 30 Noboribetsuonsencho, ☏ +81 143-84-2758. soba restaurant.
Drink
[edit]Sleep
[edit]- 1 Noboribetsu Guest House AKA & AO (登別ゲストハウス赤と青) (a minute from the Noboribetsu JR station), ☏ +81 143-83-7680, [email protected]. Check-in: 15:00-22:00, check-out: 07:00-10:00. Opened in 2018, this is a modern hostel with capsule-like dormitory beds. This is in Noboribetsu, not the Onsen. ¥4,000.
- 2 Kiyomizu-ya, 173 Noboribetsuonsencho, ☏ +81 0143-84-2145. Check-in: 1400-1900, check-out: 1000. Ryokan ¥30000.
Go next
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| Routes through Noboribetsu |
| Tomakomai ← Shiraoi ← | N  S
|
→ Muroran → Oshamambe |
| Sapporo ← Shiraoi ← | N  S
|
→ Muroran → Oshamambe |