Dai-ichi Takimotokan Day Bath: 35 Baths Over Hell Valley in Noboribetsu

By Chaporo, a Sapporo local Published
Dai-ichi Takimotokan Day Bath: 35 Baths Over Hell Valley in Noboribetsu

Quick answers

  • Five kinds of spring water in 35 baths, with big windows over Hell Valley
  • Day bath 2,500 yen for adults, reception 9:00–18:00, towels free
  • Day visitors have their own car park and entrance, up the road toward Hell Valley
  • Just under two hours from Sapporo, an hour from New Chitose Airport

Dai-ichi Takimotokan is a long-established hotel at the top of Noboribetsu Onsen, right beside Hell Valley, and its bathhouse is one of the most impressive in Hokkaido: five kinds of spring water in 35 baths across the men's and women's sides, with huge windows looking straight out over the steaming valley. Day visitors can arrive any time from 9:00 to 18:00 and stay until 21:00, for 2,500 yen with towels included.

The baths

Hell Valley spreading out right beside the Dai-ichi Takimotokan building

The inn's baths opened in the Meiji era (1868 to 1912). The bathhouse is on two levels. As you walk in on the upper floor, the big windows and the view of Hell Valley are the first thing you see. The lower floor has a sauna, a cold plunge, outdoor baths, a bath you can lie down in and a walking bath, and between the two floors there are 15 to 20 baths on each side. Of the day baths in Noboribetsu Onsen, this is one I especially recommend.

There is plenty more in the building: a restaurant, a lounge, a souvenir shop, a beauty treatment salon and a fountain where you can taste the hot spring water.

The corner for drinking the spring water at Dai-ichi Takimotokan
The giant golden club (kanabo) in the hotel lobby at Dai-ichi Takimotokan, beside the shops and escalators

Tattoos

Takimotokan is often listed as a tattoo-friendly onsen, and several travelers report bathing there with tattoos, though some say small tattoos had to be covered with patches. The hotel also sells single-use bathing wear you may wear in the baths. Rules can change, so ask at the day-bath reception before you pay.

First time at an onsen?

  • No swimsuits in the baths.
  • Wash and rinse at the washing stations before you get in.
  • No photos in the bathing area.

Day bathing: price, hours and where to go in

WhatDetails
Price2,500 yen adults, 1,500 yen children aged 3 to 12, free under 3 (since August 2026)
HoursReception 9:00–18:00; you must leave by 21:00
TowelsFree to borrow
ClosedApril 5–15, 2027 (maintenance)

Day visitors have their own car park and entrance. From the front of the hotel, drive a little way up toward Hell Valley, and the day-bath car park is on the right. Go in through the day-bath entrance at the back of the car park, and the reception is just inside on the left. The day-bath car park is small; when it is full, at weekends and in busy seasons, you may be sent to the Hell Valley car park opposite (500 yen a day).

The day-bath car park and entrance at Dai-ichi Takimotokan
The day-bath reception at Dai-ichi Takimotokan

How to get to Noboribetsu Onsen

From Sapporo: just under two hours by car, including a break. Take the Do-o Expressway toward Muroran and Tomakomai and exit at Noboribetsu-higashi IC; the toll from Sapporo-kita IC is 3,060 yen (2,140 yen with ETC). After the exit, turn left at the first T-junction and follow the signs for Noboribetsu Onsen, about 10 minutes.

From New Chitose Airport: about an hour on the same expressway; the toll to Noboribetsu-higashi IC is 1,790 yen.

On the way, Tarumae SA has an observation deck with a fine view and is worth a stop.

Noboribetsu Onsen

Noboribetsu is one of Hokkaido's best-known hot spring towns, often listed among the big three with Jozankei in Sapporo and Yunokawa in Hakodate. It sits in a volcanic area between Lake Toya, Lake Kuttara and Lake Shikotsu, and Hell Valley, the steaming crater that supplies the town's water, is right next to Takimotokan. A walk there and back takes about 10 minutes, a good warm-up before your bath.

Noboribetsu Hell Valley (Jigokudani): The Walk, Oyunuma and ParkingA local's guide to Noboribetsu Hell Valley, the steaming crater above the hot spring town: the walk, Oyunuma pond, accessibility, parking and how to get there from Sapporo or New Chitose Airport.

Noboribetsu Bear Park, at the top of the ropeway, has brown bears and a view over Lake Kuttara.

Noboribetsu Bear Park: Brown Bears, Lake Kuttara, Prices and HoursA local's guide to Noboribetsu Bear Park, reached by ropeway above Noboribetsu Onsen: watching and feeding the brown bears, the view of Lake Kuttara, prices, hours and parking.

My Noboribetsu guide ends the day with a bath here.

Noboribetsu Day Trip from Sapporo by Car: Hell Valley, Onsen and Where to ParkA local's day trip from Sapporo to Noboribetsu by car: Hell Valley, Oyunuma, the bear park and a day bath at Takimotokan, with tolls, parking and winter driving tips.

FAQ about Dai-ichi Takimotokan

Q1. How much is a day bath at Dai-ichi Takimotokan?

2,500 yen for adults and 1,500 yen for children, with towels to borrow for free.

Q2. What time can you use the day bath?

Reception is from 9:00 to 18:00, and you must leave by 21:00.

Q3. Where do day visitors park?

In the day-bath car park, a little way up toward Hell Valley from the front of the hotel, on the right. When it is full, use the Hell Valley car park opposite (500 yen a day).

Q4. Can you bathe at Takimotokan with tattoos?

It is often listed as tattoo-friendly, sometimes with small tattoos covered by patches. Ask at reception, as rules can change.