Day Trips from SapporoNoboribetsu Grand Hotel Day Bath: The 110°C Oni Sauna
By Chaporo, a Sapporo local Published 
Quick answers
- The Oni Sauna: about 110°C, with an automatic löyly every hour at half past
- Three cold plunges and a garden outdoor bath with a waterfall for cooling off
- The Oni Sauna, in Hozuki no Yu, is for women on odd dates and men on even dates; the other bath has an 80°C sauna
- Day bathing 2,000 yen: 7:00–10:00 and 12:30–20:00 (from 14:30 on Mondays and Thursdays)
Noboribetsu Grand Hotel is a hot spring hotel in Noboribetsu Onsen, and besides the onsen, it takes its saunas seriously. Day visitors can use the Oni Sauna ("demon sauna") and three cold plunges.
The Oni Sauna
Designed with Dai Matsuo, the sauna producer known as "Totonoe Oyakata", the Oni Sauna lives up to its name: an automatic löyly every hour at half past takes it to about 110°C. The cold plunges are about 16°C, fed by mountain stream water; the big barrel plunge is April to November only, not for children 12 and under. After it, cool off in the garden outdoor bath among the trees, with a waterfall running.
Two baths, alternating days
The hotel has two large baths, Hozuki no Yu and Rindo no Yu, which switch between men and women. The Oni Sauna is in Hozuki no Yu, which is for women on odd-numbered dates and men on even-numbered dates, so check the date if you want the Oni Sauna; the other bath, Rindo no Yu, has the 80°C Bear Sauna with self-service löyly.
Noboribetsu Onsen
Noboribetsu is one of Hokkaido's three great hot spring towns, set among the volcanoes around Lake Kuttara just to the east. Hell Valley and the Bear Park are close by.
Price, hours and parking
| What | Details |
|---|---|
| Price | 2,000 yen adults, 1,000 yen children (2 to elementary school age) |
| Morning | 7:00–10:00 (last entry 9:00) |
| Afternoon | 12:30–20:00 (last entry 19:00); from 14:30 on Mondays and Thursdays |
| Closed | No day bathing over New Year; it may be refused when the car park is full or on busy days |
| Towels | Provided free |
| Tattoos | Not stated on the official site: ask at reception |
| Parking | Free, 100 cars |
See the official site (in Japanese) for details.
How to get there
From Sapporo: about two hours including a break, on the Do-o Expressway to Noboribetsu-higashi IC. Tarumae SA has a good viewpoint.
From New Chitose Airport: a little over an hour. The hotel is on the main street of Noboribetsu Onsen.
Near Noboribetsu Grand Hotel
Dai-ichi Takimotokan Day Bath: 35 Baths Over Hell Valley in NoboribetsuA local's guide to the day bath at Dai-ichi Takimotokan in Noboribetsu Onsen: five kinds of spring water in 35 baths with a view of Hell Valley, price and hours, tattoos, and where day visitors park and go in.
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 the Noboribetsu Grand Hotel day bath
Q1. How hot is the Oni Sauna?
About 110°C, with an automatic löyly every hour at half past.
Q2. Which days can men use the Oni Sauna?
Even-numbered dates; women on odd-numbered dates.
Q3. How much is the day bath?
2,000 yen for adults.