Ryokan in Noboribetsu
登別Hokkaido's best-known hot-spring town, beside Jigokudani, 'Hell Valley', a steaming volcanic crater that feeds its baths with several different kinds of water. Noboribetsu Station is 75 minutes from Sapporo by train and about an hour's drive from New Chitose Airport; buses climb from the station to the town.
Noboribetsu through the year
Spring春
March to May
In early May about 2,000 Ezo mountain cherries flower along the Noboribetsu cherry avenue.
Summer夏
June to August
On the last weekend of August the Jigoku Matsuri, the Hell Festival, brings Enma, king of hell, and his demons down the main street.
Autumn秋
September to November
From mid to late October the rowan, sumac and birch around Jigokudani turn red and yellow against the grey crater.
Winter冬
December to February
Around Setsubun in early February the Yu Matsuri prays for the springs to keep flowing; on its second day teams throw hot water at each other in the street.
The ryokan
Listed stays
14 approved listings · 14 total in Noboribetsu
Photo credits
欅, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; x768, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Flickr; Kentaro Ohno, CC BY 2.0, via Flickr; Prosperosity, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons