Noboribetsu Onsen — Hell Valley Hot Springs

**Hell Valley walk:** The Jigokudani boardwalk (500m loop, 15 minutes) offers views of the main crater, steam vents, and sulfur deposits. Best visited early morning (7:00-8:00) when steam is thickest in cold air and crowds absent. The trail continues uphill to Oyunuma (large hot water pond, 50°C) and a free footbath (Oyunuma River footbath, natural-temperature stream). Sunset walk (16:00-17:00) is atmospheric with colored light filtering through steam. **Best ryokan:** Takimoto-kan (滝本館, ¥20,000-35,000/person) has 7 indoor baths and 4 outdoor rotemburo, each fed by different mineral sources (sulfur, iron, acidic). The variety allows experiencing multiple bath types in one stay. Cheaper option: Dai-ichi Takimoto-kan (第一滝本館, ¥15,000-25,000) shares the same mineral sources but less luxury. **Public bath:** If staying elsewhere, Yumoto Sagiri-no-yu (湯元さぎりの湯, ¥500) is the town's public onsen with sulfur and iron baths. Open 9:00-21:00. Less luxurious than ryokan baths but same mineral sources. Bring your own towel (rental ¥200). **Bear Park add-on:** Noboribetsu Bear Park (¥2,800, ropeway included) houses 100+ brown bears in hillside enclosures. The bears are habituated and beg for food (sold at park) — entertaining but controversial. The ropeway offers views over Jigokudani and Lake Kuttara. Optional add-on if time permits.