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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How fascinating! Another place I might need to check out if I take that Japanese teaching gig in 2012.
Aussie on the Road recently posted..The 2008 Mud Festival: Or How I Became a Traveler
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Author
Absolutely! Just ask yourself – why would you NOT take the japanese teaching gig? 🙂 Best of luck!
Idelish (Jeremy & Shirlene) recently posted..{Japan} Our Ryokan Experience at Noboribetsu (Hokkaido)
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{Japan} Noboribetsu Jigokudani aka “Hell Valley” http://t.co/wtHfv0Y
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{Japan} Noboribetsu Jigokudani aka “Hell Valley” http://t.co/wtHfv0Y
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Each time I visit, I discover a new (to me) place. Thanks for sharing Hell Valley. It looks amazing!
InsideJourneys recently posted..An Art Walk in Harlem’s Historic Strivers Row-
Glad you like it! We’ll aspire to share new places as much as we can!
Idelish (Jeremy & Shirlene) recently posted..{Tips} If nothing else, take these 3 photographs on your travels
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Noboribetsu Jigokudani aka “Hell Valley” http://t.co/uUnK0rF @idelishTravel
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Very Interesting pictures! I never had an opportunity to have a closer look at volcanic mountains in my travel.
Sailor recently posted..One Night Getaways – Short Cruises in the U.S. Northwest-
Thanks! Glad you like the pictures. You should definitely take some time to seek out these nature’s “phenomenon”! Usually makes for beautiful photos too!
Idelish (Jeremy & Shirlene) recently posted..{MALAYSIA} Snorkel, Dive and Chill at Redang Island
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Great photos. This reminds me of Lassen Volcanic park in Northern California, though they don’t have any spas there…
Kris Koeller recently posted..A Day at the US Open-
Thanks Kris! Have never heard about Lassen Volcanic Park! The hot spring spas at Noboribetsu is just amazing! We love it so much we are thinking of going back!
Idelish (Jeremy & Shirlene) recently posted..{USA} Whale Watching at San Juan Islands
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{Japan} Noboribetsu Jigokudani aka “Hell Valley” http://t.co/dd0SZRy via @IdelishTravel <– The name is apt on this one…. eerie place!
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The steam (volcanic gases?!?) rising from the ground really does make it look post-apocalypse in some of those photos. What an eerie place to visit!
Christy recently posted..Photo Essay: London-
It does doesn’t it! I can’t imagine how much more eerie it’d look like if we went in summer when all snow has melted!
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{Japan} Noboribetsu Jigokudani aka “Hell Valley” http://t.co/IYlbpRa
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I love visiting areas where mother nature seems to be venting! The only place I have been that sounds similar is Yellowstone National Park. Sounds like this was quite a trip.
Debbie Beardsley recently posted..Favorite European Travel Moments-
Nice! Mother nature was definitely “venting” here in Noboribetsu Jigokudani! We have yet to visit Yellowstone National Park! Sounds like we need to add it to our destination list!
Idelish (Jeremy & Shirlene) recently posted..{India} India’s Golden Triangle, 7-day Itinerary
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Sounds very interesting! As always, I love that you list some tips at the end of your story.
Michael Figueiredo recently posted..Perspectives: Palm Springs Aerial Tramway-
Thanks Michael! It’s affirmations like this the keeps us motivated to keep the tips at the end going for every post 🙂
Idelish (Jeremy & Shirlene) recently posted..{Japan} Our Ryokan Experience at Noboribetsu (Hokkaido)
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{Japan} Noboribetsu Jigokudani aka “Hell Valley” http://t.co/8Z4KoSg #Japan #Hokkaido #hotsprings #noboribetsu
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Oh, that English translation on the warning sign is so cute!
I’ve never even heard of this place, but it looks like such an interesting place to visit.
Barbara – The Dropout Diaries recently posted..Meet The Dropouts – Locationless Jason Batansky-
I love that translation too! We too have never known about the place until we started researching the best place to experience a hot spring ryokan and found that Noboribetsu is one of the famous ones in Hokkaido!
Idelish (Jeremy & Shirlene) recently posted..{MALAYSIA} Snorkel, Dive and Chill at Redang Island
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gosh – i’ve never been here!! how beautiful!! I need to put this place on the top of my list when I go next year!! so much to see, so little time!
jenjenk recently posted..Visiting Japan: Gift Giving Customs-
Absolutely! Plus, the onsen makes your skin silky smooth 🙂
Idelish (Jeremy & Shirlene) recently posted..{USA} Whale Watching at San Juan Islands
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