Muroran Port Excursion: A Visit to Noboribetsu Jigokudani Hell Valley (Hokkaido, Japan)

Docked next to Shukuzu Pier 祝津埠頭, from our balcony, we could see Muroran City Shukutsu Wind Power Plant 室蘭市祝津風力発電所.

There’s also a nice sidewalk mural that beautifies this industrial coastline.

I love cruise ports that have no tender and tours that start after a warm breakfast.

We had Hakucho Bridge 白鳥大橋 views during breakfast.

This "White Swan Bridge" is Eastern Japan’s largest suspension bridge and is nicely illuminated at night.

“Wind-Powered Illumination: At night, the bridge is lit by hundreds of LED lights stretching across its main cables and towers. The lights are uniquely powered entirely by wind energy.” -Visit Hokkaido

From the cruise ship, we could see Daikoku Island 大黒島 (Daikokujima), which is uninhabited but is famous for housing the historic Old Muroran Lighthouse 旧室蘭灯台. The lighthouse was operational in the Meiji era and retired in 1976.

Let’s get our tour started. The buses are here.

Making our way to Jigokudani, our guide Nori-san alerts us of what we’ll see from our windows as we’ll be taking an 出口 / Exit of the Noboribetsu East Higashi Interchange, towards the city of Noboribetsu, a hot spring resort town of Hokkaido.

This is the Welcoming Demon Statue (Kangei Oni), a massive landmark located right at the exit of the interchange off the Dō-Ō Expressway (E5 toll / Central Hokkaido Expressway). This 18-meter demon welcomes us and points the way to Noboribetsu Onsen town.

Jigokudani (Hell Valley) - an active volcanic crater

Arrived at 8:45am and would be here until 10:20am. Noboribetsu Jigokudani (Hell Valley) is home to Hokkaido's famous onsen and is located within the borders of Shikotsu-Toya National Park in Hokkaido, Japan. 

Located within Shikotsu-Toya National Park, this is the main source of the region's restorative hot springs. On a future trip, we may consider a day pass (Adults: ¥1,700 – ¥2,250 or ~$10 – $15) visit to Dai-ichi Takimotokan - Noboribetsu Onsen’s oldest ryokan since 1858. The "Onsen Heaven" features 5 kinds of onsen water across 35 baths. From the Grand Bath area spanning 53,000 square feet, enjoy views of Jigokudani Valley and a luxurious hot spring experience.

(Left) Sign says: Shikotsu-Toya National Park • Noboribetsu Park Service Center • General Information Center - Free Rest Area - Exhibition Room • Natural Parks Foundation, General Incorporated Foundation (Right) 鬼っこトイレ Translates to Onikko Toilet or Demon Child Toilet

Will you join the tradition of collecting kinen stampu (記念スタンプ)?

Enter the service center for your commemorative souvenir stamps! It's a cherished Japanese travel tradition, so bring yourself a blank notebook/journal and get stamped here.

The Shikotsu-Toya National Park · Commemorative Stamp Collection from left to right:
• Showa-shinzan (昭和新山)
• Noboribetsu (登別)
• Noboribetsu Onsen (登別温泉)
• Lake Shikotsu (支笏湖)

Okay, let's get exploring.

Safety & Warning signs everywhere. Stay on the boardwalk folks!

Beyond the boardwalk, there are a number of trails and walking tracks around the valley. The one I wish we had time to explore was to the Oyunuma River Natural Footbath. So many trails but so little time. We decided to follow the footpath towards the Iron Spring Pond (鉄泉池 Tessen-ike) - a small geyser.

TRANSLATION: 三途の川 (Sanzu-no-kawa)    •    のぼりべつ (Noboribetsu)    •    地獄谷 (Jigokudani): Hell Valley

Jigokudani, formed by the eruption of Mt. Hiyori (Hiyori-yama), is a 1,476 ft - wide crater with white smoke and boiling hot springs. The valley floor is rugged, with reddish-brown rocks and yellow-gray mounds. Volcanic gases hiss from cracks, filling the air with sulfur, while hot springs bubble and steam, heating the air around you. Producing 10,000 tons of mineral-rich water daily, this is truly "Hell Valley." –Visit-Hokkaido.jp

Check out these hoodoos from an eroded landscape sculpted over time. It really creates a striking backdrop, don't you agree?

Next Stop: Noboribetsu Bear Park