Protecting hot spring water and enlivening the town with people's thoughts Noboribetsu Onsen Town, the "department store of hot springs"

Noboribetsu Onsen is a famous hot spring that has been protected since 1858. The source of this hot spring town is Oyunuma, which was created at the site of the explosion crater of the Kuttara Volcano, and is said to naturally gush out 10,000 tons of hot spring water per day. It is one of the best hot spring resorts in Japan, with as many as nine different types of spring water, including sulfur spring, glauber's salt spring, iron spring, salt spring, and alum spring.　　
The area surrounding the hot spring resort is rich in nature, and the scenery changes with the seasons, stirring travelers' emotions. Jigokudani (Hell Valley), where numerous fumaroles on the rock surface emit steam, is a popular sightseeing spot where visitors can feel the breath of the earth. A walking trail leads to a natural footbath at the river where the hot spring water flows. Spring is surrounded by flowers, summer is green, fall is colored with autumn leaves, and winter is covered with snow.
The symbol of the hot spring resort is Jigokudani, and demons are the icons of Noboribetsu Onsen. Each area of the hot spring resort has its own demons, each with its own special benefits, and tourists enjoy strolling through the steam smoke in search of the demon they are looking for.

"The charm of Noboribetsu Onsen lies in its abundance of hot springs, all nine of which have different smells, colors, and textures. Of course, there is also a wide range of beneficial effects. It is incomparable to other hot spring resorts", says Kazuya Omiya, director of Noboribetsu Onsen Co. "Instead of boring up the hot spring water, it is delivered to the hot spring resort by natural flow. The amount of hot water is also sufficient. That's why you can enjoy the rich hot water," he assures.
Mr. Omiya also chairs the "Tourism Event Committee," organized by the hot spring resort community, and plays a leading role in regional development. We plan and organize events together, thinking about how to promote Noboribetsu Onsen to as many people as possible while protecting its hot water," says Omiya.
Various events that take advantage of tourism resources such as the hot springs, Jigokudani, and the rich natural scenery create additional attractions and liveliness in the hot spring resort area. The people behind these events, including Mr. Omiya, are the people of the hot spring resort. They are the people who work for the tourist association, the shopping district, the onsen ryokan and hotels, and others.

At Hotel Yumoto Noboribetsu, located at the entrance to Noboribetsu Onsen, the staff is actively involved in the local community and plays a role or two in enlivening the onsen town.
Noboribetsu Onsen Town hosts a number of attractive events that attract many tourists. One of the most powerful is the "Oni Hanabi (Demon Fireworks) of Hell Valley. The "Yuki-jin" who protect the hot water in Jigokudani, with steam rising from the mountainside, shoot off large fireworks, creating an atmosphere that is truly devilish.
Hotel staff also work together with local residents in the Noboribetsu Jigoku Matsuri in summer and the Noboribetsu Onsen Hot Water Festival in winter, as well as the "Demon Fire Road," which is decorated with flickering lights at the foot of Jigokudani.
In addition, the hotel has long been focusing on "bathing experiences" to which local children are invited. They invite kindergartens and elementary school units and provide children with the opportunity to experience hot springs. The hotel creates opportunities for people to become familiar with Noboribetsu Onsen, a source of local pride.
"We hope that the memories of the hot springs they experience here will inspire them to visit Noboribetsu Onsen again with their friends, loved ones, and new family members when they grow up and become adults. Even if it is 20 or 30 years from now, we would be happy if it leads to the future," says Manager Suzuki.

When you enter Hotel Yumoto Noboribetsu, you are enveloped by the unique aroma of hot spring water. For many years, the hotel has valued its relationship with the local community. Now, in order to meet the diversifying needs of its guests and to reach out to a wider range of customers, some of the guest rooms have undergone a major renovation, and will be open for stays from March 2023.
"We have renewed three guest rooms with hot spring baths and saunas, two Japanese-style rooms, and two Western-style rooms that are ideal for workations. We hope to offer a new style of stay at a hot spring hotel, where guests can freely enjoy the sauna in their rooms or concentrate on their work in a comfortable space," said Manager Suzuki.
Guests can now enjoy dinner in their rooms, which features a variety of local brand-name ingredients such as Noboribetsu beef and Noboribetsu pork, while enjoying four different types of hot springs in the main baths and private hot spring bathing in their guest rooms.
"In addition to the hot spring resort and Jigokudani, there is a bear ranch and Lake Kutaraku for a stroll, and a theme park and nature experience a short distance away. We hope you will stay two or three nights and enjoy all that Noboribetsu Onsen has to offer. "
Hotel Yumoto Noboribetsu will continue to work hand in hand with the people of Noboribetsu Onsen to make Noboribetsu Onsen a hot spring resort that is loved by the community and its guests.