Noboribetsu Jigokudani | How To Visit Hokkaido’s Hell Valley
Last Updated on March 5, 2026 by Charlotte
I never really understood the attraction of visiting a valley that smells like really bad farts, but Noboribetsu Jigokudani literally (and metaphorically) blew me away. We visited on a chilly winter morning and explored the boardwalk trail that leads out to the Tessen Pond. Here’s what to expect, and everything you need to know to plan your own visit.
Just a heads-up: some links on this site are affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase. Your support helps to keep the blog running.
Our Visit to Noboribetsu Jigokudani Hell Valley
Jigokudani is a volcanic crater left behind by an ancient explosion, and it now gushes around 10,000 tons of hot spring water daily, feeding Noboribetsu’s many onsen hotels.
The landscape looks like another planet. Bright yellow sulfur crusts form around steaming vents, chalky white mineral deposits streak across the rock, and rusty orange patches bleed through where iron meets acidic steam. Across the length of the valley, everything is hissing, bubbling, or seeping.
Perhaps the most startling thing was the sulfur ponds, boiling a milky liquid that bubbled straight out of the ground. I certainly wouldn’t want to accidentally fall into one!
During our visit, the boardwalks were incredibly slippery and coated with a thick layer of ice. I really wish that I had brought my spikes!
Aside from the sights, I was gagging for most of our visit, because I am quite sensitive to air quality, and the smell was so strong.
On our way out, we saw a cultural demonstration with dancers dressed in demon costumes hopping around on the valley floor. This was pretty neat!
This area is known to locals as “Oni no sumu jigoku” (“where the demons live”), which seems fitting, given the intensity of the landscape.
How to Visit Noboribetsu Jigokudani Hell Valley
One of the best things about Noboribetsu Jigokudani is that it’s incredibly easy to visit: it’s open 24 hours a day and completely free.
How to Get There
Noboribetsu Jigokudani sits just behind the hot spring town of Noboribetsu Onsen in southwestern Hokkaido. The valley is the geothermal heart of the town.
If you’re staying overnight in Noboribetsu Onsen, you can walk there in minutes. The entrance boardwalk begins just beyond the main cluster of hotels and souvenir shops, which makes it one of the most accessible dramatic landscapes in Japan, with no wilderness expedition required.
From Sapporo
If you’re coming from Sapporo, the easiest route is by train to JR Noboribetsu Station (about 1–1.5 hours), followed by a 15-minute bus ride up to Noboribetsu Onsen. From the onsen bus terminal, it’s roughly a five-minute walk to the valley entrance.
By Car
If you’re road-tripping in Hokkaido, parking lots sit near the entrance to the valley. There’s usually a small 500 yen fee.
By Group Tour
This park is a popular stop on many day tours from Sapporo. If you don’t have your own car and don’t want to figure out the public transit, a group tour could be a great trip for you. I’ll drop a few good ones below:
Best Times to Visit
Early morning is best year-round if you want fewer crowds. By 10 AM, the tour buses arrive.
Winter: Peak Drama
If you want full “we have arrived in the underworld” vibes, winter is unmatched. Steam billows into freezing air, snow clings to sulfur-stained rock, and the contrast between white drifts and yellow mineral crusts is unreal.
The boardwalks are maintained, but some of the longer trails are closed. Also, surfaces can be icy, and we saw people slipping and sliding everywhere!
Summer & Shoulder Seasons
In warmer months, the valley feels more alien desert than frozen hellscape. Steam still rises, but the contrast is softer. Trails beyond the main crater, including the route toward the natural footbath along Oyunumagawa, are more reliably open outside deep winter.
How Much Time You Need
We spent 45 minutes at Hell Valley, and had just enough time to walk out to the Tessen Pond, which is a small blue geyser located at the end of the boardwalk.
The Quick Visit (30–45 Minutes)
If you’re passing through, you can walk the main boardwalk loop, stop at the observation points, photograph the fumaroles, and be on your way in under an hour. The valley itself is compact, only 450 meters across, and the infrastructure makes it easy to explore without committing to a long hike.
This is enough time to feel the heat rising from the earth and leave smelling faintly of sulfur.
The Extended Wander (1.5–2 Hours)
If you’d like to stretch your legs, you can continue along the marked walking paths toward Oyunuma and the Oyunumagawa Natural Footbath. That adds forest scenery and a different geothermal perspective beyond the crater itself.
What to Wear (and What to Expect)
Facilities and Accessibility
There are public restrooms near the entrance and in the onsen town, along with convenience stores and souvenir shops within a short walk. You won’t find cafés or food vendors inside the valley itself, so grab snacks beforehand if you need them.
The main boardwalk to the primary observation areas is relatively flat and wide, making it accessible for many visitors with limited mobility. However, surfaces can be uneven, and in winter, the wood planks can become icy and slick. Snow and ice conditions may make parts of the trail difficult for wheelchairs or strollers.
Footwear Matters
Boardwalk sections are wooden, but there are gravel and exposed areas. In winter, meltwater refreezes quickly, turning the trails into a slip-and-slide.
The Smell Is Real
Hydrogen sulfide gives the valley its distinct “rotten egg” scent. It’s strongest near active vents. Most people adjust within minutes, but if you’re sensitive or have asthma, you might want to bring an N95 mask.
Stay on the Path
This is an active geothermal field, which means that the ground off-trail can be unstable and dangerously hot. Please please please stay on the trail unless you’d like to be boiled alive.
Pairing Jigokudani With an Onsen Stay
The most satisfying way to visit Noboribetsu Jigokudani is to see it first, and then soak in it! The mineral-rich water flowing into Noboribetsu Onsen’s baths originates in this valley.
After walking through steam and sulfur vents, lowering yourself into a hot spring bath fed by the same geothermal system feels like completing the circle of life.
Was it Worth the Trip?
Yes! I find geologic features pretty cool, and the Noboribetsu Jigokudani was WAY COOLER than the steam vents at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, and pretty similar to the Owakudani Volcanic Valley on the Hakone Sightseeing Loop.
Ready to Plan Your Trip to Hokkaido?
If you’re in the area, be sure to check out my guide to Snowmobiling at Snow World Toya, and a full breakdown of skiing at Niseko vs Furano, or the most adorable Hokkaido Penguin Parade, and the stunning Shirahige Waterfall. I am currently working on more blog posts about Hokkaido, so keep checking back for more 🙂
