Zephyrous Travels: Hokkaido Day 7 (Noboribetsu) (20 Feb 17) - Journey to the West of Hokkaido: From Abashiri to Noboribetsu Onsen

Flying from Memanbetsu to New Chitose Airport

Abashiri to Noboribetsu Onsen is about 420km apart. The 2 primary options that we had when planning for this trip was to either fly and transfer to a shuttle bus, or take the JR and transfer to local bus at Noboribetsu JR Station. We opt to fly for our westerly journey to Noboribetsu Onsen, Flying domestic, when booked at least 75 days before departure on domestic airlines costs ¥10,200 per pax. Taking into consideration the bus fare to the nearest Memanbetsu airport from Abashiri (¥910) and the shuttle bus fare from New Chitose Airport to Noboribetsu Onsen (¥1,370). The total cost for the flight option is ¥12,480 per pax and the journey can be completed under 3 hours. Comparing the JR option, which takes more than 6 hours and costs ¥13,940 (including the ¥340 per pax for Noboribetsu JR Station to Noboribetsu Onsen), the choice is obvious.

We were able to gain half a day in Noboribetsu Onsen by choosing the domestic flight option over the JR option when traveling from Abashiri to Noboribetsu Onsen

After checking out of the hotel, we took the local bus from Abashiri JR Station to Memanbetsu Airport. The buses bound for Memanbetsu Airport are timed according to the flight departures from the airport. We took the 9.40am bus in time to catch our 10.40am flight to New Chitose Aiport. The local bus ply through Abashiri City and the City of Memanbetsu before terminating at Memanbestu Airport.

Waiting for the bus to take us to Memanbetsu Airport

The bus to Memanbetsu Airport is timed to the outbound flight from the airport. Despite being winter, the bus is still a very reliable mode of transportation

The bus to Memanbetsu Airport is a normal local bus, there is no luggage racks and we dragged our luggage to the seat

Zooming past Abashiri Prison when we were heading towards Memanbetsu Airport

Bye bye Abashiri

Frozen Lake Abashiri

It took us 30 mins to travel from Abashiri to Memanbetsu Airport by bus

Wefie at Memanbetsu Airport

Welcome to Memanbetsu Airport

Taking a wefie in Memanbetsu Airport

We are boarding the ANA Domestic flight to New Chitose Airport

The ground is covered with snow. What a magnificent sight.

Flying across Hokkaido from Memanbetsu to New Chitose Airport

Hokkaido is covered in a blanket of snow

Taking a selfie onboard the ANA flight

We covered 420km within 50min by flight

Doraemon Sky Park in New Chitose Airport

The flight took around 50 mins, after collecting our luggage, we headed for the bus ticketing counter to get our tickets for Noboribetsu Onsen. There are only 2 timings for the bus heading to Noboribetsu Onsen, 12 noon and 1.15pm. We took the 1.15pm bus as we wanted to visit Doreamon Sky Park, which is located on 3rd floor of New Chitose Airport.

This is the bus ticket counter that we bought our bus ticket from New Chitose Airport to Noboribetsu Onsen from. It is located next to the information counter on the arrival hall of the domestic side of the airport

Doreamon Sky Park is has seven zones. There is a cafe, a kids play area, a library, a shop and a amusement zone on top of the Park Zone. Doreamon is a Japanese cartoon character whom has traveled through time to help a boy to woo the girl of his dream. The Park Zone as a paid area where scenes from the cartoon series are replicated in life size forms, making use of optical illusion to allow guests to interact in each scenes. This is a great place for photography for Doreamon fans.My friend and I took pictures a each of the scene, which took us around 45 mins. There is a Doreamon mini-skit performance the end of the Park Zone, to entertain mainly the children visitors. After the short 10 min skit, visitors can take pictures with Doreamon. However only 1 picture limited to 1 device will be used by the staff for photo taking. We exited the Doreamon Sky Park and headed for bus stop 29, near the ticketing counter where we bought our bus tickets, to board a bus to Noboribetsu Onsen. The bus ride from New Chitose Airport to Noboribetsu Onsen takes around 1 hour. The bus

The Smile Road is located on 3rd floor of New Chitose Airport between the domestic and international terminals

Entrance of the Park Zone of Doreamon Sky Park in New Chitose Airport

Me with Doreamon Statue at the entrance to Doreamon Sky Park

Ticketing vending machine for Doreamon Sky Park

Ticket to Doreamon Sky Park

Some of the gadgets that were in Doreamon's front pocket depicted in the comics

More gadgets that were in Doreamon's front pocket depicted in the comics

Life size Nobita's room with Doreamon and his sister Doreami

My friend playing on the interactive game in the Park Zone of Doreamon Sky Park

The main characters in Doreamon comics

The "What if" Telephone booth, a gadget in Doreamon's front pocket

A very big Doreamon

This is the street where Nobita's house is in

The opening to the purse is too small for me to squeeze through

My friend with one of the displays in Park Zone of Doreamon Sky Park

One of the displays in Doreamon Sky Park

The door that allows users to go anywhere is also one of the gadgets in Doreamon's pocket

Me posing with Shizuk in front of the tunnel that shrinks people

Look who we found got shrink by the tunnel

My friend in the mouth of a rat, a nemesis of Doreamon

Time traveling on Doreamon's time machine

The use of optical illusion makes me feel shrunk

And I got enlarged

My friend posing with Doreami, Doreamon's sister

My friend with Doreamon in Nobita's room

Nobita seem surprised to see me going up to his room

Doreamon performance in Park Zone of Doreamon Sky Park. Too bad we couldn't understand as it is in Japanese

My friend and I posing with Doreamon at the end of the show

Noboribetsu Onsen - The Town of Hell

Noboribetsu Onsen is a small town with a handful of shops. We covered the whole town on foot within 20 mins. There are numerous demon statues scattered around Noboribetsu Onsen, each has their prosperity symbols. Due to the volcanic eruption on the nearby Mt Hiyoriyama some 20,000 years ago, a volcanic caldera was formed. Along with it the formation of blow holes that constantly emitting powerful jets of steam, resembling the scenes of Hell. The mascot of Noboribetsu Onsen are demons. The locals believed that not all demons are evil, those that were represented in Noboribetsu Onsen are actually good demons, who prays for the fortune for people and takes away their bad luck.

Onboard the bus heading towards Noboribetsu Onsen from New Chitose Airport

Everything covered in snow is just beautiful

It was snowing when we arrived at Noboribetsu Onsen Bus Terminal

View of Noboribetsu Onsen from our room

After settling our luggage in our room, my friend and I explored Noboribetsu Onsen at the same time look for lunch. It started to snow as we made our way into the town. The snow was a welcomed sight to us and did not bother us much. As we were walking along Gokuraku Shopping Street, the main street of Noboribetsu Onsen, there seem to be only a handful restaurants for our choice for lunch. We settled lunch at a restaurant that seem opened. As we were making our way to Jigokudani after lunch, we passed the Enma-Do shrine, a temple with a huge statue of the King of Hell (Enma) with animated performances at fixed timings located near to the entrance of Jigokudani affectionately known as Hell Valley. We managed to catch the animated performance where Enma come to live, after chanting some phases in Japanese, the statue changed face from the kind-look to the angry red face.

Me posing infront of the hotel - Daiichi Takimotokan we are staying for the next 2 nights. Just love the snow

Gokuraku Shopping Street, the main street in Noboribetsu Onsen from the entrance of Daiichi Takimotokan

My friend and I taking a wefie in the snow outside the hotel in Noboribetsu Onsen

Snow covered Gokuraku Shopping Street in Noboribetsu Onsen

We found a couple of owl statues sitting quietly in the snow on Gokuraku Shopping Street in Noboribetsu Onsen

And a couple of horse statues too

We riding on the horse in the snow

My friend posing with a huge demon mace on Gokuraku Shopping Street in Noboribetsu Onsen

These are the Romance Demons, who are believed to bless the relationships for couples

The study demon, who is believed to bring good luck to those who needs to pass exams

My friend and I posing with the study demon

King Enma, the King of Hell in this kinder face sitting inside his shrine. The snow is starting to get heavier

King Enma changed to his red fierce face during the scheduled performance. We were lucky to have seen the performance without waiting

The demon of Business Prosperity who is believed to bring good luck for business owners

Sengen Park opposite the hotel we were staying. The highlight of this park is the geysers, which constantly emitting steam. It looks extra charming in the snowy conditions

My friend ordered the Abalone Sashimi rice set for lunch. The Abalone is so fresh that there is a small worm wriggling on it

I got the Uni (Sea Urchin) Rice Set with Egg. There is a generous serving of Unis on a bed of egg. It tasted very fresh and yummy

After the performance, my friend and I headed over to Jigokudani as I thought the Hell Valley would look nice bathing in night lights scattering along the walkways of Jigokudani. At this point, the snow seem to get heavier. We came across a traditional red Japanese wooden arch beneath a flight of stairs, leading to Yuzawa Shrine which sits on a flat plot of land on the side of the mountain. As we were walking up the flight of stairs leading to Yuzawa Shrine, I was mesmerised by the snowscape. The snowing weather further adds a sense of zen here. At the top of the stairs, lies a dark brown wooden building siting on slits. This is Yuzawa Shrine. The shrine immediately stood out from the surroundings due to its colour, contrasting against the white snowy scene and a couple of beige coloured buildings. It is closed at the time of our visit, nonetheless it made a great spot for wefies. As there wasn't anyone else here, the grounds of Yuzawa Shrine felt especially tranquil. It is highly recommended for visitors to pop by this small shrine before heading to Jigokudani (since it is on the way).

My friend at the entrance of Yuzawa Shrine. The shrine is located opposite our hotel, Daiichi Takimotokan, at the entrance to Jigokudani

My friend and I taking a wefie on the stairs that leads to Yuzawa Shrine. The snow is getting heavier at this point

An ordinary lamp looks beautiful when covered with snow

Yuzawa Shrine is the dark brown wooden building. It looks solemn and dignified sitting in the snow

My friend and I taking a wefie in front of Yuzawa Shrine in the snow

Yuzawa Shrine up close

Me in the small compound in front of Yuzawa Shrine

Snow snow everywhere

Taking a wefie at the base of the stairs that leads to Yuzawa Shrine. The snowing was so heavy that we were covered in snow. I think if we stand still for 30 mins, we will become snowmen

No idea what this building at the base of the shrine is for. Perhaps it sells offering items for visitors to Yuzawa Shrine

My friend and I continued our walk towards Jigokudani. At the base of Yuzawa Shrine, nearer toe Jigokudani, we spotted a couple of huge statues of demons. The blue demon was seated while the red demon was standing, looking as if they are welcoming visitors to Jigokudani. As the snow was getting heavier, my friend and I gave up the idea of visiting Jigokudani and headed back to our hotel.

Entrance to Jigokudani. This signage is next to Yuzawa Shrine

The blue 2.2m tall demon at the Onizo Nembutsu (Praying Demon Statue). There is a small shrine between the 2 demons.

The 3.5m tall Red Onizo Nembutsu. These 2 demons are believed to be installed here during Edo period (1603-1868)

My friend with the red Onizo Nembutsu

It was snowing heavily that we abandon our plans to visit Jigokudani. Instead we found fun clearing the snow

Fatigue Reliving in the Onsen

The hotel we stayed in has the largest onsen facilities in Noboribetsu Onsen, with 5 indoor and 2 outdoor onsens. The onsen water came from the nearby Jigokudani and has sulfuric in nature (and smell too), which is touted to have healing properties for various medical conditions such as bronchitis and eczema. My friend and I headed for the onsen in the hotel after dinner. Soaking in the onsen immediately relives the fatigue of traveling. We headed for the outdoor onsen baths after dipping in some of the indoors. My friend and I still prefer the outdoor onsens, At the outdoor pool, we could catch a glimpse of Jigokudani. The cold winter wind neutralises the heat I felt from soaking in the onsen, making the soak very comfortable and relaxing. The onsen seem to promote the quality of sleep. I seem to be able to get a great night sleep after soaking in onsens. We headed back to our room and rest for the night, as we were determined to visit Jigokudani early the next morning, before bus loads of tourists arrive.