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NOBORIBETSU
Noboribetsu is perhaps best known for its various kinds of hot spring
baths but there are also plenty of other things to make your trip to
this lovely sea side town worth while.
Major attractions include:
Cherry Blossom Avenue, Daiichi
Takimotokan, Jigokudani (Hell Valley), Karl's
Hot Spring, Lake Kuttara, Momijidani, Mt.
Hiyori, Mt. Kuma, New
Noboribetsu Bridge, Noboribetsu Bear Park, Noboribetsu
Date Historical Village, Noboribetsu Hot Spring, Noboribetsu
Marine Park, Orofure Pass, Oyunuma, Shiraoi
Ainu Museum (Porotokotan).
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| Cherry Blossoms
Avenue |
| The Japanese love of the cherry blossom continues in Noboribetsu.
Best vied in the early spring this street which joins JR Noboribetsu
Station to Noboribetsu Hot Spring has been planted with approximately
1000 cherry trees. The coming of the cherry blossom is viewed as the
beginning of the end to the long cold winters in Hokkaido. Cherry blossom
parties are held almost all week even though it can still be quite
cool at night. The cherry blossom season is short lived lasting only
for one or two weeks. Top |
| Admission |
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| Opening Hours |
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| Closed |
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| Getting There |
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| Phone |
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| Daiichi Takimotokan |
With one of Japan’s largest bath complexes and the oldest
hotel in the Noboribetsu area Daiichi Takimotokan is a hot spring
lovers delight. First  established
in 1858, the complex now has more than half a dozen modern buildings.
Contained within these buildings are various mineral pools, waterfalls,
walking pools, cold pools, steam room, and a swimming pool with slide.
There are seven different kinds of mineral pools and outdoor and
indoor pools.Top |
| Admission |
Hotel Guests Free of Charge
Non-Hotel Guests - ¥2 000 |
| Opening Hours |
Hotel Guests Open 24hrs.
Non-Hotel Guests - 9 am to 5 pm Daily |
| Closed |
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| Getting There |
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| Phone |
0143 - 84 - 3322 |
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| Jigokudani (Hell
Valley) |
Jigokudani or "Hell Valley", is a large crater that  was
formed by Kuttara volcano about 200,000 years ago. It is 450 meters
in diameter and is surrounded by red stone cliffs. Hot steam vents
and sulfurous streams pour out from the sides of this red valley
area giving it a very hell like appearance. This area is one of the
major sources for the Noboribetsu hot springs. There are 11 types
of springs and water temperatures can reach more than 100°C.
The valley also has many hiking trails through it (and a road) and
along one of these trails (also possible to drive to) is the sulfurous
pond Oyunuma. There are also some smaller
even hotter mud pools nearby. Top |
| Admission |
If driving the parking areas for Hell Valley
and Oyunuma Marsh cost ¥410. Keep your ticket as one ticket
will get you entry to both parking areas. |
| Opening Hours |
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| Closed |
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| Getting There |
Catch the bus from Noboribetsu Station to the
hot spring area. Then follow the hiking trails for about 2
min to Hell Valley and about 15 min. to Oyunuma Marsh or 10
min. by car. |
| Phone |
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| Karl's Hot Spring
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| Named after a similar style Czech Republic hot spring, the lesser
known but equally well thought of Karl's Spring is approximately
8km to the Northwest of Noboribetsu Hot Spring. Located 300 m above
sea level and surrounding Mt. Orofure and Mt. Raiba, the spring area
was designated a health spring in 1957. This area like much of Noboribetsu
is densely forested and changes colors throughout the year. Top |
| Admission |
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| Opening Hours |
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| Closed |
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| Getting There |
Approximately 20 min. by bus from Noboribetsu
Hot Spring. |
| Phone |
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| Lake Kuttara |
Located between Noboribetsu City and Shiraoi Town, Lake Kuttara
is a  beautiful
circular crater lake. The lake goes to a maximum depth of about 148
m and has a circumference of approximately 8.5 km. The lake has large,
high banks and on this area a rest house with restaurant, take out
stand and other facilities / amenities has been built. The lake has
previously won an award as the clearest lake in Hokkaido as water
is so clear and blue. This area with it’s natural beauty, peace
and clean water serves as an excellent place for fishing, row boats
and hiking from the spring to autumn months. Top |
| Admission |
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| Opening Hours |
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| Closed |
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| Getting There |
Approximately 20 min. by bus / car from Noboribetsu
Hot Spring |
| Phone |
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| Mt. Hiyori |
Located to the north of the Oyunuma Marsh area Mt. Hiyori stands
some 377 m. above sea level. The mountain is volcanically active
and large clouds of  white
steam and vapor continually pour from its top. Fishermen used to
forecast coming weather conditions based upon the amount and direction
of this smoke. There is an observation area located across from the
mountain on the small road to Oyunuma Marsh. This area gives a good
view of the mountain and it is also possible to hear the whistle
of the steam as it pours from the top of the mountain. Top |
| Admission |
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| Opening Hours |
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| Closed |
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| Getting There |
The observation area is located just above the
Oyunuma Marsh. |
| Phone |
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| Mt. Kuma |
| Mt. Kuma (“Bear Mountain”) offers one of the best views
in the Noboribetsu region. From the top it is possible to see the
Pacific Ocean over JR Noboribetsu Station to the south, Lake Kuttara
and Mt. Tarumae to the east, Mt. Hiyorimi and Oyunuma to the north
and Funka Bay and Mt. Komagatake to the west. Also known as Shihorei,
and as the name suggests, on the mountaintop you will find the Noboribetsu
Bear Park as well as a restaurant, a Genghis Kahn corner and
Yukara-no-Sato (Noboribetsu Ainu Village). The Mountain top is accessed
via ropeway from the Noboribetsu Hot spring area. Top |
| Admission |
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| Opening Hours |
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| Closed |
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| Getting There |
Approximately 5 min. by ropeway from Noboribetsu
Hot Spring. |
| Phone |
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Momijidani
New Noboribetsu Bridge |
Located just before the hot spring resort area and home to the  Kusurisambetsu
River the valley drops to a depth of almost 500 meters. It is a
popular place in the autumn when the valley is covered in a sea
of various reds, golds, yellows and browns. Top
The new bridge spanning the Noboribetsu river is in an “Inverted-Lose-Type” of
bridge with a length of 120m. The bridge offers a nice view across
the river and down to the bottom of the valley and can be particularly
nice in the autumn when the colored leaves are at their best. Top |
| Admission |
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| Opening Hours |
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| Closed |
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| Getting There |
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| Phone |
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| Noboribetsu
Bear Park |
Located at the top of Mt. Kuma or Shihorei is a fenced bear sanctuary  where
more than 140 bears roam freely. Acces to the bear park is via a
5 min. gondola ride to the top. There are various shows the bears
perform and also other animal shows. You can buy bags of cookies
to feed to the bears. They will usually wave to you if you give them
a cookie or two. Hokkaido has many problems with bears and attacks
on people are frequent especially in the spring and autumn months.
As a result bears are thought of as being a pest and are often hunted
and killed. The sanctuary at Mt. Kuma helps to change the perception
of bears to the general public and works toward preservation of the
species. There is also a small Ainu village and some relics from
the area. Top |
| Admission |
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| Opening Hours |
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| Closed |
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| Getting There |
Approximately 5 min. by ropeway from Noboribetsu
Hot Spring. |
| Phone |
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| Noboribetsu
Date Historical Village |
This unique leisure park is made up of various buildings preserved
from the Edo period and state-of-the-art 3D theater technology. Fun
for all the family buildings to explore include; the house of Masamune
Date’s deputy (Kojuro  Katakura),
the Date Village Theater, “Momiya” or the Sendai Brothel as well
as many others. The 3D theater projects fantastic images accompanied
by amazing acoustics. Other attractions in the park include; Yokai
Bikkuri-goya (goblin surprise cottage) and Fort Ninja. Top |
| Admission |
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| Opening Hours |
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| Closed |
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| Getting There |
10 min. walk from JR Noboribetsu Station or 5
min. by car from Doo Expressway Higashi Noboribetsu Exit. |
| Phone |
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| Noboribetsu
Hot Spring |
| This area is one of Hokkaido’s most popular and well known spa
resort areas. The hot spring area boasts 11 different varieties of
springs and is particularly well known for its large quantities of
water and good spring quality. The hot spring area is located in
the tree lined hill area behind Noboribetsu, 200m above sea level
and approximately 7 km from JR Noboribetsu Station. It can be reached
by car or local bus in about 15 minutes. Top |
| Admission |
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| Opening Hours |
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| Closed |
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| Getting There |
From JR Noboribetsu Station take a local bus
for about 13 to 15 min. headed form Noboribetsu Spa Resorts. |
| Phone |
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| Noboribetsu
Marine Park |
This theme park is modeled after Egeskov Castle in Denmark and
designed to project a Scandinavian and European image. The parks
main attraction is a  marine
ecology hall which houses an array of sea life, all of which can
be viewed through an underwater glass tunnel. There are various shows
with performances by sea lions and dolphins and visitors can also
watch the sea otter feeding time. There is also a theater and various
restaurants serving Scandinavian food. Top |
| Admission |
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| Opening Hours |
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| Closed |
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| Getting There |
5 min. by bus from JR Noboribetsu Station or
5 min. by car from Do-oh Expressway Higashi Noboribetsu IC |
| Phone |
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| Orofure Pass |
| Located about halfway between lake Toya and Noboribetsu Hot Spring,
Mt. Orofure is a dormant volcano which rises to a height of 1 231
m. above sea level. For the adventurous the climb up the mountain
takes about one hour and 30 minutes, with the return journey being
slightly quicker. Hikers will be rewarded with a beautiful view of
lake Toya to the northwest at the top and on the climb up with various
types of wild flowers, unusual cliffs and rock formations and other
alpine plants. The best time to climb is in July when the weather
is fair and the red azaleas are in full bloom. Top |
| Admission |
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| Opening Hours |
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| Closed |
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| Getting There |
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| Oyunuma |
Another great walk for those who are a little adventurous. Oyunuma
is a hot-water marsh area located approximately 300 m. north of Jigokudani
(Hell Valley). The marsh is about 1 km. in circumference and
goes to a depth of  about
25 m. The water contains a great deal of sulphur and has a surface
temperature of about 50°C and reaches as much as 130°C in
the depths. Top |
| Admission |
If driving the parking areas for Hell Valley
and Oyunuma Marsh cost ¥410. Keep your ticket as one ticket
will get you entry to both parking areas. |
| Opening Hours |
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| Closed |
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| Getting There |
Approximately 15 min. walk or 5 min. drive from
Noboribetsu Hot Spring |
| Phone |
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| Shiraoi Ainu
Museum (Porotokotan) |
 The
Ainu are the native inhabitants of Hokkaido and there are a few museums
in Hokkaido showing some of their lifestyle and goods. The Shiraoi
Ainu Museum, also called Porotokotan, exhibits the Ainu culture and
lifestyle in an outdoor reproduction of a small Ainu village and
also various tools and other goods inside a museum. There are performances
of traditional Ainu dances held at various  times
throughout the day. Top
Getting There:
From Noboribetsu, Shiraoi Town is five stations east by local train. A one way
journey takes about 30 min. and costs ¥350. N.B. - There is only one train
about every one to two hours. The museum is a 10-15 minute walk east from JR
Shiraoi Station. |
| Admission |
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| Opening Hours |
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| Closed |
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| Getting There |
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