What is a Ryokan? Ryokans are the best way to experience Japanese culture and enjoy the true comforts of Japanese hospitality and service.
Hot springs have a very long history in Japan, and they are an intimate part of Japanese culture. There are over 3,000 "onsen" ,or hot springs, in Japan. Many can be found at the ryokans available on Japanese Guest Houses.
Noboribetsu is located in southwestern Hokkaido in Shikotsu-Toya National Park. Noboribetsu is a name from the local Ainu language which means "a cloudy river tinged with white." This name refers to the large sulfur deposits in the area. Noboribetsu is one of Hokkaido's best known (and most commercially developed) hot spring areas, and it is basically a one street village with hot spring hotels on both sides. Visitors to Noboribetsu can experience the hot spring waters at the town's famous Daiichi Takimotokan hotel which has 20 different hot spring baths. The source of the village's hot spring water is the "Jigoku-dani" (Hell) valley. Jigoku-dani is a steaming, lunar-like valley which produces 10,000 tons of hot spring water a day. From Jigoku-dani, visitors can walk to nearby Oyunuma which is a hot water lake producing large clouds of steam.
