Noboribetsu Bear Park: Brown Bears, Lake Kuttara, Prices and Hours

By Chaporo, a Sapporo local Published
Noboribetsu Bear Park: Brown Bears, Lake Kuttara, Prices and Hours

Quick answers

  • Hokkaido brown bears seen from close range, begging for treats
  • An observation deck looks down on Lake Kuttara, a round crater lake
  • 3,200 yen for adults including the return ropeway; shorter hours from mid-October to mid-April
  • Free car park by the ropeway station, a short walk from Hell Valley

Noboribetsu Bear Park sits on a mountaintop above Noboribetsu Onsen, reached by ropeway, and it is home to Hokkaido brown bears that you can watch from close range. The bears beg for treats in all sorts of ways, from waving to lazing on their backs, and from the observation deck you look down on the round crater lake of Kuttara. Admission, which includes the ropeway, is 3,200 yen for adults.

What is Noboribetsu Bear Park like?

A brown bear begging for food at Noboribetsu Bear Park

The bears live in enclosures below the viewing areas, so you look down on them. They know exactly where the visitors with treats are: some sit up and wave a paw, others lie back lazily and wait for food to come their way. You can buy bear food in the park and toss it down to them.

A brown bear drinking water at Noboribetsu Bear Park

The view of Lake Kuttara

Lake Kuttara seen from the observation deck at Noboribetsu Bear Park

Because the park is on a mountaintop, it also has an observation deck, and from it you look down on Lake Kuttara, an almost perfectly round crater lake ringed by forest. It makes the ropeway ride worth it even if you are not a bear person.

Prices and opening hours

Admission is 3,200 yen for adults and 1,600 yen for children, including the return ropeway.

  • Mid-April to mid-October: 9:00 to 17:00, last entry 16:20
  • Mid-October to mid-April: 9:30 to 16:30, last entry 15:50

Hours can change, and the park has closing days, so check the calendar on the official site before you go.

How to get to Noboribetsu Bear Park

The ropeway station is in Noboribetsu Onsen, a short walk from the main street, and the ride up takes about seven minutes.

From Sapporo: just under two hours by car on the Do-o Expressway to Noboribetsu-higashi IC (3,060 yen from Sapporo-kita IC, or 2,140 yen with ETC).

From New Chitose Airport: about an hour on the same expressway (1,790 yen).

There is a free car park for visitors by the ropeway station.

Near Noboribetsu Bear Park

Hell Valley, the steaming crater that feeds the town's hot springs, is a few minutes away, and Dai-ichi Takimotokan, below the valley, is the place for a bath at the end of the day. My Noboribetsu guide puts the bear park, Hell Valley, lunch and a bath into one day.

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 Noboribetsu Bear Park

Q1. How much is Noboribetsu Bear Park?

3,200 yen for adults and 1,600 yen for children, including the return ropeway.

Q2. How long do you need at the bear park?

Allow about an hour and a half to two hours, including the ropeway, the bears and the observation deck.

Q3. Is there parking at Noboribetsu Bear Park?

Yes, a free car park for visitors by the ropeway station.

Q4. Is Noboribetsu Bear Park open in winter?

Yes, with shorter hours from mid-October to mid-April. Check the official calendar for closing days.

Q5. Can you feed the bears?

Yes, with the bear food sold in the park. Do not give them anything else.