Imagine a mountainous area with volcanic gas seeping through the surface, boiling water that crosses its path. The air smells strongly of sulfur and the area looks like a scene from a movie about a post-apocalyptic world. That’s exactly what you’ll see if you visit Noboribetsu Jigokudani (登別地獄谷) aka “Hell Valley“, which is about 1.5 hours southwest of Sapporo.
On our trip to Noboribetsu early this year, we took a walk down the street to the famous Hell Valley which is part of the Shikotsu-Toya National Park. [bq_left]
LOOKS LIKE A SCENE FROM A MOVIE ABOUT A POST- APOCALYPTIC WORLD
[/bq_left]There’s a little souvenir store right near the entrance. Past the store, you’ll see a walkway leading to the Hell Valley. The walkway is covered in snow, so be sure to bring protective shoes with good traction if you visit during winter.
We followed the walkway down to a fenced hot spring vent. Keep following the trail past the vent for another 20 – 30 minutes and you’ll get to Oyunuma, a larger sulfurous pond. We weren’t able to go because at the time of our visit, that part of the trail was closed.
Some fun facts according to Japan’s National Tourism Organization site:
- The valley produces 3,000 liters of hot spring water per minute!
- The valley is a 450m diameter wide, mouth of a volcano, created by an eruption about 10,000 years ago.
- The quality of the minerals in the hot spring water produced here is one of the reasons this hot spring is ranked among the world’s most exceptional hot springs.
At the entrance of “Hell Valley” which is above the town of Noboribetsu Onsen
Go later in the evening to catch the beautiful evening sunlight.
Walkway that takes you down to a fenced hot spring vent.
Signs reminding visitors to be careful. The path can get slippery due to snow and ice. “It notes, it gets wet and it slips”!
Walkway covered in snow. Make sure you bring the right pairs of shoes to wear. We saw a few ladies in high heels. They didn’t get far down the path before they turned back.
Looking back at the winding walkway.
The fenced hot spring vent at the end of the walkway. You don’t have to worry about visitors crowding around this for too long. The smell of sulfur ensures that visitors only hang around long enough to take a photo or two.
Volcanic gases seeping through the ground, boiling any water that crosses its path.
At the souvenir stores and throughout the town, you’ll see statues and figurines of demons (Oni & Enma). They’re the guardians or protector of Noboribetsu.
You’ll see them throughout the town.
HDR shot of a view in Hell Valley
REMEMBER:
- Noboribetsu Jigokudani is part of Shikotsu-Toya National Park.
- It is a 450m wide mouth of a volcano, created by an eruption about 10,000 years ago.
- It is ~1.5 hours away from Sapporo.
- The area will smell of sulfur but you’ll get used to it after a while.
- We visited this area for 2D1N and stayed overnight at a hot spring ryokan.
- Oni & Enma are the guardians/protectors of Noboribetsu. You’ll see statues and figurines of them throughout the town.
- Wear protective shoes with good traction if you’ve visiting during winter.
- In our opinion, the view is much more impressive if you go during the winter. The white, snow capped mountains and surfaces adds to the contrast of the colors.
- We hear that the fall colors are beautiful too.
- It’s within walking distance from most of the hot spring resorts in town. If not, you could probably ask for a cab, shuttle or bus ride there.
- Photography Tip: Go early in the morning or later in the evening to catch the beautiful sunlight, perfect for photography. The sun at noon is always too harsh and casts shadows that don’t make a good picture.
- Photography Gear: All of the photos above were taken using a Nikon D40x DSLR (no longer being sold) along with a must have, versatile traveler’s lens, the Nikkor 18-200mm lens or Nikkor 50mm f/1.4 prime lens. An equivalent DSLR would be the Nikon D3000.
Have you been to Noboribetsu Jigokudani? Do you have any tips or stories to share?
We’d love to hear from you through the comments section!
40 Comments
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Winter conditions can make even the most skilled and confident driver shiver in fear at the thought of skidding on ice and losing control.
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Wow, those are some amazing pics! I can almost smell that glorious stench of sulphur;-) It definitely brings back happy memories 🙂
Our fave part of our trip was our visit to Dai-ichi Takimotokan onsen. There’s something incredibly satisfying about standing naked outside in sub zero temperatures, inside a natural hot spring bath, overlooking the beautiful snow-capped mountains. Such a perfect moment!
Did you go during the Sapporo snow festival? Another amazing experience!
Love the website btw, Carry on the good work. 😉
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Author
We could not agree more! We miss Japan so much we intend to go back once our baby is older. Can’t wait to be soaking in natural hot spring bath in sub zero temperatures again!
We missed the Sapporo snow festival. Something we should’ve planned for. Oh well, next trip!
Glad you like our site! Do come back and visit!
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Wow, your pics are amazing! I can almost smell that glorious stench of Sulphur 😉 It brings back very good memories indeed.
Our fave part of the trip was our visit to Dai-ichi Takimotokan Onsen. It was definitely one of the best feelings in the world bathing outside in hot spring water overlooking the snow-capped mountains. Such a perfect moment 🙂
Love the website btw 🙂
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{Japan} Noboribetsu Jigokudani aka Hell Valley http://t.co/PfOaO1pb
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how VERY cool – i want to go!!
wandering educators recently posted..School’s Out! Travel is In
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And you should!!!! 🙂 What’s stopping ya? 🙂
Idelish (Jeremy & Shirlene) recently posted..{Thailand} Wat Arun in Bangkok
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Goodness. This place looks cold–and hot–and cold. Great pictures. The one statue looks like the Shoney’s Big Boy 🙂
Christopher recently posted..Free Photo Friday-
You’re so right. It does look hot & cold & hot at the same time! haha… didn’t notice the resemblance of the statue LOL. Thanks for taking the time to drop a note!
Idelish (Jeremy & Shirlene) recently posted..{India} Thiksey Monastery is a “Must Visit” in Leh
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#idelishTravel: {Japan} Noboribetsu Jigokudani aka “Hell Valley” http://t.co/oRCSlA6 Japan travel hotspring
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Fascinating place. Reminds me in some ways of the hot springs and mudpots at Yellowstone Nat’l Park — I remember that smell of sulphur, too. Those buildings look very close to the walkway. Do people live right there?
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The building to the right of the walkway is the souvenir/entrance building I believe. The buildings in the far back are the various spas and ryokans in the area. They’re actually further away than it looks. We did not see any residential homes near the walkway.
We learnt that Yellowstone Nat’l Park was a spot similar to this as called out by several readers. Sounds like a trip to the national park needs to be on our list! Thanks for stopping by Cathy!
Idelish (Jeremy & Shirlene) recently posted..{USA} Whale Watching at San Juan Islands
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Thanks for the RT!! RT @CruisePictures: Noboribetsu Jigokudani aka “Hell Valley” http://t.co/nRoWr9I @idelishTravel
