Soba-dokoro Fukuan: Shrimp Tempura Bowl and Handmade Soba in Noboribetsu Onsen

Soba-dokoro Fukuan is a long-running soba shop on Gokuraku-dori, the main street of Noboribetsu Onsen, known for handmade soba and its shrimp tempura rice bowl. I had lunch here on my day in Noboribetsu in March 2024, between Hell Valley and the bear park.

1What to order at Fukuan

The one to order is the shrimp tempura rice bowl set, which comes with a small bowl of soba: 1,100 yen with cold soba or 1,150 yen with hot soba. The shrimp tempura is fried to order, with a light, crisp batter that goes well with the sweet sauce; the batter alone could carry a bowl of rice, and the shrimp is plump. The soba is handmade, fragrant and firm, and a little yuzu citrus brings out its aroma even more.

Soba and tempura are not a Noboribetsu specialty as such, but both are excellent here, and it is an easy, filling lunch between sights.

2Where to park

Fukuan 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 and about a 5-minute walk from the shop.

3Hours and details

Prices and hours are as of October 2026.

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 Fukuan

Before lunch, 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.

After lunch, 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.

If you would rather have something spicy, Aji no Daio, also in the town, serves Hell Ramen ordered by spice level.

Aji no Daio Noboribetsu: Jigoku 'Hell' Ramen by Spice LevelA local's guide to Aji no Daio's Noboribetsu Onsen shop and its Hell Ramen, ordered by spice level: how hot level 0 is, menu and prices, the Saturday lunch queue, and where to park when the shop has no car park.

5A Noboribetsu day from Sapporo

Fukuan is the lunch stop on my day in Noboribetsu, between Hell Valley and the bear park, ending with a bath.

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 Soba-dokoro Fukuan

Q1. When is Fukuan open?

11:30 to 14:00, closed on irregular days (as of October 2026).

Q2. Is there parking at Fukuan?

No. Park at the Hell Valley car park (500 yen a day) or the bear park's car park (500 yen, about a 5-minute walk) and walk.

Q3. What should I order at Fukuan?

The shrimp tempura rice bowl set with a small bowl of soba: 1,100 yen with cold soba or 1,150 yen with hot soba.