Noboribetsu, Hokkaido Prefecture. Filled with the mists of the North Pacific Ocean deep in the forrest valley lies the home of the thermal volcanic “hell valley”, all-natural hot springs, lakes, and the cuddly Bear Mountain Park. This is a tourist’s escape from whatever burdens them in the city, into the natural wonderland of mountains, hot spring streams, and warm local hospitality. The Noboribetsu Grand Hotel was opened in 1938. What was the Noboribetsu Guest House now revolutionized and expanded into a 300 plus room hotel with a finished off with a hot spring spa. Now a popular holiday getaway for the tourists both from Japan and abroad, this hotel packs itself to the brim both during the hot summers and the freezing winters. As part of our adventures down and around Hokkaido, we experienced this hotel and here’s our honest review of the Noboribetsu Grand Hotel: Our stay occurred from July 22nd to 23rd, this was our first night in Hokkaido after a long flight from Shanghai. A long hour drive from the highly trafficked New Chitose Airport would lead you to the Grand Hotel. Upon driving up, you would see how old the hotel is with its grey tiled walls and white drive up area. Greeting us at the hotel were the bellmen bowing as they would in the Japanese-style etiquette as you enter the lobby filled with one of Noboribetsu’s gift shop, monster figures, and marbled front desk area. None of the staff members spoke much English, so our lovely tour guide helped us in translation. Our check-in agent guided us through the specific details of the hotel facilities, breakfast facilities, and tatami installation times. We were given a 4-person Japanese-style “VIP” room, which consists of an at most 30 SQM space with a tatami floored living/bedroom space combination, a sitting room, a toilet room, a sink area, and a compact bathroom with separate shower & bathtub facilities. During the daytimes, living room acts a place for dining and seating with tatami chairs and a table. The TV stands at a corner. At around 7PM, the room attendants would turnover the tatami beds by moving the tables and chairs into the closet space and setting up the tatami beds. The tatami beds were rather inconvenient for us because of the size of the pillows that made of the tatami rather hard to sleep on. Don’t get us wrong, tatami beds are an efficient sleeping beds for families, but a single small sized pillow per bed makes the difference between authentic Japanese comfort and discomfort. Much of the challenge during the sleeping process was making sure your body stayed on the mattress when getting used to the firm yet small bean-filled pillow. I would recommend rooms that they provide that caters to a more westernized style with full beds. The tatami issue is a situation the hotel needs to revamp on. If they can start providing extra pillows in the closet or thicker sized pillows, it would be a great turnaround. The Japanese Hot Spring SPA concept is quite bizarre. Unlike mos
“Ya” of Takinoya means “house” in Japanese. This word embodies Takinoya’s concept to unwind your mind as if you are in your house. Doing nothing is the greatest pleasure!
ผผู้เข้าพัก2023.05.30
Our favorite lodging of the 11 we stayed in during a 3-week Hokkaido excursion. Noboribetsu Onsen, located part way up the the mountain about a 10 minute drive from the small coastal town, is a classic Japanese onsen area. Natural hot springs occur here and a collection of hotels utilize these magic waters for their public baths. The Noboribetsu waters are especially mineral rich. A very short central village hillside thoroughfare is lined with some shops and restaurants. A lift can be taken to the top of the mountain that provides great views and admission to a bear park that also has some exhibits on the native Ainu people. Just above and behind some of the onsen area are geothermal features that can be viewed, some by car and others on foot. Takinoya is a smaller ryokan resort that sits among some larger neighbors. It’s decor is elegant, service impeccable, and hot spring baths wonderful. Dining privately for dinner and breakfast, our waiter was professional, friendly and helpful. Our extremely spacious 4th floor room was a Japanese-Western Twin, a fusion of styles with western beds and a view of the lush mountainside vegetation. The room included Japanese onsen style separate shower and bath tub. The inn’s hallway floors were tatami mats, allowing us to walk in our bare feet (or with provided toe socks) throughout the inn, a much appreciated difference from the usual and often ill-fitting ryokan slippers. The basement and roof top onsen baths were great. My spouse felt our first night’s Japanese multi-course dinner lacked umami, but the following breakfasts and dinner were better. That’s the only criticism we had. It was the perfect ryokan in a perfect place to relax, stretch your legs, enjoy a meal, and relax again in a bath.
With a stay at Ryotei Hanayura Ryokan in Noboribetsu (Noboribetsuonsencho), you'll be within a 15-minute walk of Jigokudani and River Oyunuma Natural Footbath. This spa ryokan is 24 mi (38.7 km) from Lake Toya and 28.2 mi (45.4 km) from Toyako Hot Spring.
Take time to pamper yourself with a visit to the full-service spa. Additional amenities at this ryokan include complimentary wireless Internet access and gift shops/newsstands.
You can enjoy a meal at the restaurant serving the guests of Ryotei Hanayura Ryokan, or stop in at the grocery/convenience store. A complimentary Japanese breakfast is served daily from 7:30 AM to 9:00 AM.
Featured amenities include complimentary newspapers in the lobby, luggage storage, and a safe deposit box at the front desk. Free self parking is available onsite.
Make yourself at home in one of the 37 air-conditioned rooms featuring indoor private spa tubs. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available to keep you connected. Conveniences include phones and desks.
ผผู้เข้าพัก2023.01.15
Traditional Japanese ryokan. Charming in an old style. Food is great, from the aspects of ingredients selections to presentations. The location is good too, closed to shopping street, next to the hell valley.. so near that we smell sulphur all the time. We had 2 traditional kaiseki dinners which were adventurous and amazing. However, we were put off by shark fin soup in one of the appetizer dishes. It is sad. Onsen water was genuine from my opinion. It made my skin and hair so soft and straightaway! Magic! However, the public onsen room was quite old and looked slightly unclean. This could be improved I think. The room was tiny. The shower/bathroom was also tiny. According to the size, I think our stay is overpriced.
With a stay at Park Hotel Miyabitei in Noboribetsu (Noboribetsuonsencho), you'll be within a 10-minute walk of Jigokudani and River Oyunuma Natural Footbath. This hotel is 24 mi (38.6 km) from Lake Toya and 28.2 mi (45.3 km) from Toyako Hot Spring.
Take advantage of recreation opportunities such as hot springs, or other amenities including complimentary wireless Internet access and an arcade/game room. Additional features at this hotel include gift shops/newsstands and a vending machine.
Enjoy a satisfying meal at Shiki serving guests of Park Hotel Miyabitei. A complimentary buffet breakfast is served daily from 7 AM to 9 AM.
Featured amenities include a 24-hour front desk, luggage storage, and a safe deposit box at the front desk.
Stay in one of 156 guestrooms featuring flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and digital programming is available for your entertainment. Bathrooms have complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include safes and desks, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Located in Noboribetsu (Noboribetsuonsencho), Dai-ichi Takimotokan is a 2-minute walk from Jigokudani and 13 minutes by foot from River Oyunuma Natural Footbath. This 4-star ryokan is 3.1 mi (5 km) from Date Jidaimura and 4.8 mi (7.8 km) from Noboribetsu Marine Park Nixe.
Take time to pamper yourself with a visit to the full-service spa. You can take advantage of recreational amenities such as hot springs, an indoor pool, and a waterslide. Additional features at this ryokan include complimentary wireless Internet access, an arcade/game room, and gift shops/newsstands.
You can enjoy a meal at the restaurant serving the guests of Dai-ichi Takimotokan, or stop in at the snack /deli. Wrap up your day with a drink at the /lounge.
Featured amenities include a 24-hour front desk, luggage storage, and a safe deposit box at the front desk. Free self parking is available onsite.
Make yourself at home in one of the 387 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available to keep you connected. Bathrooms feature bathtubs or showers, complimentary toiletries, and bidets. Conveniences include safes and desks, and housekeeping is provided daily.
Guests staying in premium room types can use a dedicated priority lane for check-in.
Located in Noboribetsu (Noboribetsuonsencho), Noboribetsu Sekisuitei is a 4-minute walk from River Oyunuma Natural Footbath and 11 minutes by foot from Jigokudani. This hotel is 3.4 mi (5.5 km) from Date Jidaimura and 3.8 mi (6.2 km) from Lake Kuttara.
Don't miss out on the many recreational opportunities, including hot springs, a sauna, and karaoke. This hotel also features complimentary wireless Internet access, an arcade/game room, and shopping on site.
Enjoy a satisfying meal at Icho serving guests of Noboribetsu Sekisuitei. Quench your thirst with your favorite drink at the bar/lounge.
Featured amenities include complimentary newspapers in the lobby, luggage storage, and a safe deposit box at the front desk. A train station pick-up service is provided at no charge, and free self parking is available onsite.
Make yourself at home in one of the 248 air-conditioned rooms featuring refrigerators and flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless Internet access is available to keep you connected. Private bathrooms with bathtubs or showers feature complimentary toiletries and bidets. Conveniences include phones, as well as safes and desks.