Jigokudani Valley (Hell Valley), Noboribetsu

Jigokudani Valley (Jigokudani, Noboribetsu), also known by its nickname “Hell Valley”, is located above the Noboribetsu Hot Springs area in Hokkaido. It's a valley famous for its striking scenery. The hot streams running through the valley are rich in sulfur minerals, and this is actually the source of the water for the Noboribetsu Hot Springs area. If you enjoy a bit of light adventure, you'll love it here: a trail winds gently uphill and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to walk. The first thing you'll see is Oyunuma Pond, a sulfuric hot spring pond with a temperature of around 50 degrees Celsius. As you continue up, you'll notice small hot spring pools appearing along the way, some hotter than others, along with a few mud pools. The water flowing out from Oyunuma Pond forms a stream called the Oyunumagawa River, which runs for several hundred meters through the forest. Here, you can sit and soak your feet while taking in the stunning natural scenery. The peak season is around mid-October, when the surrounding trees turn brilliant shades of red and orange — a truly beautiful sight.