IRENKA: Shiraoi Wagyu and Yezo Deer Burgers in Noboribetsu Onsen

IRENKA is a small burger shop on Gokuraku-dori, the main street of Noboribetsu Onsen, that makes its burgers with meat from around Noboribetsu: Shiraoi wagyu, Yezo deer and local pork. I had the Shiraoi wagyu burger here in December 2023.

1What is on the menu at IRENKA?

There are three burgers: a Yezo deer burger with fried venison (shika zangi), a Noboribetsu pork chashu (braised pork) burger, and a Shiraoi wagyu burger, made with beef from Shiraoi, the next town along the coast. You can order a burger on its own or as a set with fries and a drink.

I had the Shiraoi wagyu burger set for 1,250 yen. It was a big burger, and the thick Shiraoi beef patty was juicy and very satisfying.

The shop is small, with three or four tables, but you can take your burger away, so if it is full you can eat somewhere else.

2Where to park

IRENKA has no car park of its own. Most restaurants on Gokuraku-dori have none, and the street is narrow, so leave the car at the car park of a sight you are visiting that day and walk. The Hell Valley car park is 500 yen a day, and the same ticket lets you park at Oyunuma, a steaming pond just above it. The bear park's car park by the ropeway station is 500 yen.

I was bathing at Dai-ichi Takimotokan that day, so I left the car in its day-bath car park and walked to IRENKA in a little over 5 minutes.

3Hours and details

Hours are as of October 2026; the shop's X account posts extra closures and openings.

From Sapporo: about two hours on the Do-o Expressway to Noboribetsu-higashi Interchange (toll 3,060 yen), then about 10 minutes following the signs to Noboribetsu Onsen. From New Chitose Airport: about an hour.

4Near IRENKA

Before or after your burger, walk the boardwalk into Hell Valley at the top of the town, where steam pours out of the ground beside you.

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.

Take the ropeway up to the bear park to see brown bears up close and the 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.

For handmade soba and a shrimp tempura rice bowl instead, Soba-dokoro Fukuan is on the same street.

Soba-dokoro Fukuan: Shrimp Tempura Bowl and Handmade Soba in Noboribetsu OnsenA local's guide to Soba-dokoro Fukuan on the main street of Noboribetsu Onsen: the shrimp tempura bowl and handmade soba set, prices, hours, and where to park when the shop has no car park.

5A Noboribetsu day from Sapporo

To fit lunch here into a day with Hell Valley and the bear park, and get back to Sapporo in time, here is the route I take.

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.

6FAQ about IRENKA

Q1. When is IRENKA open?

10:00 to 16:00, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, with occasional extra closures and openings (from the shop's X account, as of October 2026).

Q2. Is there parking at IRENKA?

No. Park at the Hell Valley car park (500 yen a day) or the bear park's car park (500 yen) and walk. If you are bathing at Dai-ichi Takimotokan, its day-bath car park is a little over 5 minutes' walk away.

Q3. What is on the menu at IRENKA?

Three burgers, Yezo deer, Noboribetsu pork chashu and Shiraoi wagyu, each on its own or as a set with fries and a drink. The Shiraoi wagyu burger set was 1,250 yen when I went. You can also take your burger away.